In reality, habits do not just “happen.”
They are the end result of a chain consisting of thoughts which lead to feelings which lead to actions. If you wish to change the actions long-term, you must change your internal dialog first. [Read more…]
Why are We in Such a Hurry to Lose Weight? (Part 1)
I remain gobsmacked by a statistic I recently learned.
By this time of the year, north of 80 percent of people who — at the beginning of the year — said, “This time I mean it! This is the year I’m going to lose those extra pounds,” have given up. Done. Over. Wiped their hands and walked away.
The Centers for Disease Control says that, as of 2012, 69 percent of our population is overweight or obese, with almost half of those folks classified as “obese.” Those extra pounds underwrite a multitude of health conditions, both physical and emotional; and we all know about them. Therefore, one might think that the urgency to shed an expanded waistline could be enough incentive to stick with a program longer than six weeks.
One might think that. One would also be wrong.
The number one reason people quit their program is that they don’t feel they’re losing quickly enough. Granted, if they could slow down racing to the refrigerator long enough to realize that a slow weight loss is faster than a no weight loss, they might stick with it a tad longer. Yet, in all fairness, it’s difficult to remain cold sober logical about your progress when the scale won’t budge. “Get-thin-quickly” scam artists are partially to blame for the false expectations that drive the frustration, but they are actually symptoms of a deeper problem fostering the unrealistic drive to drop weight faster than a brick can fall from a six-foot wall.
So, why are we in such a hurry?
There are two factors at play.
Is it Really a Sacrifice – or it is Actually a Gift?
Giving up a habit can feel like a major sacrifice.
Therefore, our inner cranky child emerges and we grumble and complain, dragging our feet, resisting what we know has to be done. Like a small child, we wail and moan, crossing our arms in a huff, stamping our feet, and resisting vehemently.
“I don’t wanna eat less!”“I hate exercise! Do I hafta?”“Do I really have to organize my house?”
What would it be like if – instead of focusing on what we have give up – we looked at it as how excited we’re going to feel once we do it?
Instead of looking at it as a sacrifice, we focus on how good we’re going to feel when we drop those few pounds, or when the house is organized, or when we can enjoy a walk on a sunny day.
The amount of work won’t change, but our attitude sure will.
And that’s definitely worth a lot.
Celebrate More Often
Find a way to celebrate more often.
Yes, sometimes life can be dull. Yes, it can be dreary. Periodically, it is even painful.
However, that’s probably not the majority of time.
So, when things aren’t bad – even if life isn’t a “party” – find a way to celebrate what’s going well.
[Read more…]
Success is in the Present; Failure is in the Future
When you don’t think you can accomplish your goal, it’s because you’re looking too far down the road.
You’re thinking of all the things that could go wrong and of all the obstacles you must overcome, none of which exist if you can focus on the immediate.
When you’re overwhelmed and you’re afraid you won’t be able to achieve your goal, focus on what you can do right this minute.
Make it small enough that you’ll actually do it. [Read more…]