It takes a serious shift of thinking to lose weight. To move from doing what you’ve been comfortable doing, (i.e. mindlessly eating and not exercising) to putting in the work to workout and start prepping your food. For most that struggle with this mind shift, they are too mentally exhausted to even think about making this type of commitment. They are barely surviving day to day. They are likely, depressed.
Before I lost 25 pounds (today), I was tired ALL the time. I was tired because I was eating the wrong food to fuel my body and I wasn’t exercising at all (well, besides an occasionally ten minutes on the elliptical or walk around the block).
The beginning of this year I had that desperate “wake up call” moment. It was time to make a commitment. I was scared. I was scared of failing again. I was scared of putting in the work. I was scared of the commitment to making it to the gym 3-4 times a week. But I was desperate.
Are you desperate?
Is your weight keeping you from enjoying life?
Is your weight making you sluggish?
Are you mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the day? Okay, who are we kidding: morning, noon, and night?
It’s time for you to make a change.
I’m not going to introduce a special diet or program. Here’s what I’m going to suggest from my experience the past 4 months:
Go to the doctor regularly
I changed doctors recently. My former doctor was condescending and incompetent. She was really, well, rude. She didn’t listen to my concerns. I finally switched, and have had an awesome response with this amazing doctor. She actually prays with me at the end of each visit. She’s sincere and interested in my health. Over the last year, she’s removed a couple concerning moles, done some tests which led to 6 colon polyps removed, and helped diagnose me with celiac disease. Wow. Get to a doctor that actually works with you, not against you.
Listen to your body
Listen to your body. Does a certain type of food make you more tired and sluggish? Give you stomach pain? Make you moody and grumpy. Avoid it! Do you need a short nap? Make the time to take one, even if it’s just 15 minutes. It’s important to listen to our body. We are the best advocate for our health!
Develop your own WHY statement
I can tell you all day long why you should lose weight and get healthy, but until you determine in your own mind to make the change, it won’t happen. Have your own desperate moment, and develop a full paragraph “why” statement. Why do you want to lose weight? Write it out and read it every day. Not commit to making some changes!
Find a trusted friend to keep you accountable
I have a close friend I text my weight to daily. She’s a trusted friend. This is so important! Find someone who can keep you accountable, motivate you when you are discouraged, and encourage you when you triumph!
Exercise until you love it
I went from hating exercise to loving it this year. Try several different workouts. Pick the one you love. It’s sometimes best to mix it up so your body doesn’t get accustom to one form. Just keep moving your body!
Eat real food and drink your water
Eat real food. Try to eat clean and avoid sugar, too many grains, and limit your dairy. This is what I’ve been doing and I feel 100% better. Drink tons of water! A well hydrated body helps in all areas!
Keep going even when you don’t see the scale move
Keep striving to make the changes week after week. Avoid giving up after the honeymoon phase is over. Keep going even when the scale isn’t moving. Your body is doing an awesome thing and sometimes it takes time for the scale to move. Pay attention to other things like your clothes fitting better and your mood improving! Celebrate what’s working and stay consistent. The results will come!
Stop saying you can’t do it
Stop telling yourself you can’t do it. You can. You can accomplish far more than you think! I’m rooting for you.
Do you have any questions for me? Comment in this post, and I will try to help if you need it! I know how hard it is. I have a good 40 more pounds to lose! Celebrate small milestones and give yourself small goals and rewards. You can do it!