March 28, 2024

What I’ve learned from weight loss

Weight loss is easy — it’s just going for ice cream once a week instead of three, selecting frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, getting a small instead of a medium, oh and walking there instead of driving, and making similar choices almost every morning, noon and night.

I lost more than 40 pounds in the last year by committing to a change in both diet and exercise. I’ve learned new habits from losing weight but it wasn’t the end that taught me anything. It was the means to the end that has been the most rewarding. If I’ve learned anything at all, it’s that there is no end — that’s a crash diet.

Commit to a goal — Lots of people aim to lose weight but gain it back. It's almost inevitable, at least that's what people think. I vowed to not make that my story. Thankfully, I've been able to lose and maintain that but the only reason is due to pure commitment to my sustained success and goals. I've worked too hard to slip now.

Committing to making more healthy choices than not and to saying ‘no’ is probably the first skill you need for longevity in a healthier lifestyle. If you need advice its to truly commit to your goals. Say ‘yes’ to many luxuries but commit to saying ‘no’ more often too. Turning down instant gratification for a long term goal will not only lead to success but also gratification.

Discipline after defeat — Defeat is inevitable, unless your the 1980 Newton Cardinals, but the key to overcoming is how you handle defeat. In that time, you have to keep looking forward. That is where discipline comes into play.

When you have a bad series of days, you must remind yourself to get back on track and remain disciplined.

A month ago, I ate terribly for about four days straight. I had given in to all my temptations and cravings and I could have just continued to make poor eating decisions like I would have in years past. But I didn’t.

Discipline takes practice and remember perfection is impossible, so don’t worry about defeat but focus on success and remain discipline even after a period of indulgence.

Patience is a virtue — There's the saying that "nothing worth having comes easy," which couldn't apply more to weight loss. Results don't happen overnight so you must learn to love yourself in patience. It's a beautiful organic process.

When you start your change, you’re excited and commitment comes easy but after awhile you start to question the likelihood that you will change the way you want. Give yourself a chance. Give your body a chance. Give your brain the time it needs to establish new habits.

Don't forget your purpose — Reminding yourself why you want to change is a big part of continuing a healthy lifestyle. If your purpose is shallow than the results will be too.

Although my desired numerical goal has yet to be achieved, I’m very happy with what I’ve done. The purpose of my change and the desired goal is to simply eat nutritiously and move often for the rest of my capable life.

Reaching small weight loss goals along the way has taught me more about who I am than ever before and it’s important to remain grateful and optimistic. It’s not easy, but change is possible and a necessity to progression. The scary part is, you are the only one in control and you’re the only who can decide who you want to be.

Decide to be healthy and go be it.