What causes us to sabotage our weight-loss efforts? Don't we know better? How can we prevent ourselves from behaviours that we'll later regret?
As in most situations that involve change, we are best prepared by understanding ourselves and telling the truth. Let's examine some likely scenarios...after all, fore-warned is fore-armed. Here are some sage words from Susan Mendelsohn, a licensed psychologist who works with a variety of addictions and specializes in managing eating disorders.
Old habits are more comfortable. Even though those old behaviors are nonproductive, they actually feel more comfortable to us for the mere reason that we know what to expect. Heading into uncharted territory may feel uncomfortable for us. Basically, the more you travel the same path, the more difficult it becomes to change directions. Only by breaking out of old routines can you make exciting new discoveries. You may soon discover that those old habits are not as comforting as you once thought.- Change is tough. Change takes time to plan for and is certainly not easy. But, sometimes the things that are most difficult are those that have the greatest payoff. Change requires need, desire, information, self-efficacy and movement. It takes patience, discipline, perseverance, self-discipline, responsibility and sacrifice. Without change there can be no breakthroughs! Let’s work together and break through those barriers.
Throughout history, the greatest achievements have come only after countless failures. There would be no phones, computers or electricity if certain individuals had just given up! Imagine what our world would be like if we all gave up! - Immediate gratification. If you are an individual who wants immediate results, then you will probably never give yourself the chance to be the healthiest or most content you can be later on. People tend to sabotage their new and healthy habits, because they are not seeing the fruits of their labor immediately. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, it takes time for your mind and body to become regulated. Give your mind and body the courtesy and the time they need to adjust and you’ll reap the benefits of a lifetime of wellness.
- Fear of the unknown. Many folks fear what hasn’t even occurred yet. Why? Most likely, it is an irrational idea that change may lead to other problematic issues. But how in the world would you ever know if you haven’t experienced those changes? Fear can result in preventing us from the experience of a whole new life! Cross the bridge of fear if and when the circumstances call for it. Don’t fret about what cannot be controlled.
- Strong emotions. Your emotions may have a stronger hold on you than you ever imagined. Yes, both positive (the feeling-good feelings) and negative (the feeling-bad feelings) emotions can cause you to sabotage your efforts in a single moment. Emotional highs and lows are both culprits in sabotaging efforts, especially with weight management. When we feel “high,” we feel invincible and simply forget that we have to remain conscious in the choices we make. For instance, let’s say you just got a promotion. What is the first thing you do? Many folks say, “Let’s go celebrate.” Celebration is more than understandable and deserved, but how is it that we celebrate? Usually, we celebrate with a nice expensive dinner out on the town and other potentially harmful substances (alcohol, drugs, etc). Hence, we make a decision, either unconsciously or consciously that, “I deserve to pig out” or “get drunk,” because I have earned the right. At that moment, our “feeling good” emotions have taken over and may leave us with a mess to clean up later. On the other hand, those negative emotions, or the “feeling bad” ones, can wreak havoc on our achievements as well. Most of us do not enjoy feeling down, and many of us turn to food (or other substances) as an escape from those issues and feelings that we choose not to deal with. Yes, this is a choice we make.
- Obstacles! Yes, roadblocks are inevitable! Unpleasant and unexpected situations arise from time to time. So what? Should you use them as an excuse to quit your efforts at becoming healthy? I think not! If you think of barriers as a challenge rather than a threat, it is more probable that you will persist. Continuous effort will break down the barriers and conquer seemingly immoveable mountains! Don’t judge yourself as bad or worthless if you have a setback. Basically, stop judging yourself at all. Survival of the fittest is the ageless law of nature. The fittest are those that have the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and endure difficult situations. Don’t get discouraged by a temporary defeat. You can do anything you want to if you stick to your plan long enough. Each step, whether it brings success or failure, supplies you with new understanding and enriches your journey.
- Excuses. Just another reason that we tend to sabotage our efforts. Too many of us are used to thinking and acting like children. By this, I mean we have grown accustomed to blaming others for our misery. It is time to act like an adult by taking responsibility for your own actions. Once you can take responsibility, it is up to you to push on. If you look for external reinforcement, you are giving power to those around you. Once you give up that power, you are doomed to accept others’ expectations of how you should look, how you should act, how you should feel, etc. This is a sure-fire way of sabotaging your efforts at anything you attempt to accomplish!
What do you do when adversity hits home? Will you complain, blame or act? Will you panic or persist? Will you find excuses to quit or give up, or will you look for reasons to push forward?
The job of a Wellness Coach is to support you to follow through on your plans. Your coach provides a committed listener, someone who actually cares whether you do what you say you're going to do. It's called "accountability." When you're accountable to someone, it doesn't mean that you've given up your power. Quite the contrary, it means that you've told yourself that failure is not an option and you've reached out to get the support you need to accomplish your goals, whatever they may be.
Body Transformation, as I've said before, requires major amounts of consistency. Current research says that even one bad (high fat, low nutrition) meal can have a negative effect on your body, when you're trying to make positive changes. Doing some physical activity now and then will not change your metabolism or burn your extra body fat.
Once we set up your program, which is based on your goals and your lifestyle, we work together to keep you on the path from where you are now to where you want to go.
The Executive Challenge will be launching soon. Wouldn't you like to lose 20 pounds in 90 days, starting on January 1st. Will weight-loss be one of your New Year's Resolutions? Once you've lost the first 20 pounds, you'll realize that you can do anything you set your mind to! Your other goals will suddenly seem VERY attainable. And isn't that what we all want? The magic of goal-getting!
Sign up now to join the Executive Challenge. Space is limited to 15 participants. We've received many inquiries and our panel is busy reviewing them. If you've already expressed an interest, you'll be hearing from us soon. If not, go to executivechallenge@hotmail.com and let us know that you are committed to losing 20 pounds in 90 days. Your success story will be featured in an upcoming book on the subject of Body Transformation.
I just know that you can Get Your Body Back...Billie
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