Your weight-loss success depends on your readiness to take on the challenge. These questions can help you judge whether now is the best time to start your weight-loss program.
Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes that require eating healthy foods and exercising more? Be honest. Knowing you need to make changes in your life and feeling up to the challenge are two different things.
Do you truly believe that slower is better? Losing weight at a relatively slow pace has proved safe, healthy and effective over the long term. You should aim for a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week. If you happen to lose more-bonus!
Are you realistic about your weight-loss goal? Please set realistic goals and reward your self when you make those goals!
Do you have family and friends to support your weight-loss efforts? It certainly helps to have someone in your corner. Remember-I will be in your corner!
Do you believe that you can change your eating habits? Sounds easy to do in theory, but in practice, it's often difficult. It's hard to cast aside established behaviors and develop new lifestyle habits, but it can be done. It is something I have to work hard at daily!
Are you willing to become more physically active? Increasing your level of physical activity is essential to losing weight and keeping it off.
Do you have time to keep records of your food intake and physical activity? Keeping records increases your chance of success. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how helpful it is to track your progress. This was my least favorite part-but I noticed when I did not journal I did not lose and even worse, gained weight back; it really helps!
Do you believe that a healthy weight is a lifelong commitment? Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong process. There's no going back to your old behaviors. Are you ready to make a permanent change?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you're ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary for permanent weight loss. If you're ready for weight loss but fear you'll become discouraged quickly, think toward the future. As you become more physically active and make dietary changes, you'll feel better and have more energy. And rather than thinking of weight loss as a short-term drudgery, view it as an enjoyable, permanent lifestyle change. Only you can make the change and you will love yourself for it- I promise!
No comments:
Post a Comment