Commitment

The Wt. Loss Minute by Linda Spangle, RN, MA www.100DaysChallenge.com Great idea: Deepen your commitment to the future 'Remember me? I'm the one who cannot commit to losing weight.' That's how her email started. But what struck me was that almost any one of you could have sent it! I think we all struggle with this at times. We get desperate, decide we're ready, and jump back on our diet or exercise plan. We're also determined that 'this time,' we will make it work. But it takes so little to distract us. A glass of wine, an enticing piece of cheesecake, or maybe just an open bag of tortilla chips. Next thing we know, we're planning to re-start our diet tomorrow. We explain it by saying, 'I thought I was ready, but I guess I wasn't.' Perhaps you didn't 'want' to be ready yet, because you still wanted to have some fun before the diet door closed. Commitment doesn't happen without effort. Sometimes, reaching your goal weight or a better fitness level may seem impossible. But you actually have a lot of power around sustaining your commitment. Over the next few weeks, I'll remind you of the differences between being 'interested' and being 'committed' to your goals around managing your weight. Here's the first one: When you're just interested in losing weight, you tend to stay with your plans only until 'something better' comes along. When the brownies show up in the break room, you decide you'll wait and start your diet tomorrow. But when you're committed, you stick with your efforts, 'No matter what!' That means you ignore the carton of ice cream that beckons when you've had a rough day. It also means that even when it's raining, you put on your workout shoes and head out the door for a walk. Here are a few ways to strengthen your commitment, helping you avoid slipping backward into being just 'interested.' * Convince yourself you can do it. Tell yourself, 'I will reach this goal, no matter what!' Then watch the scale move downward, keep trying on your size 12 jeans, or count the number of stairs you can climb before you get out of breath. * Create a mantra or phrase that you say every day (maybe even every hour) to remind yourself of your commitment. Perhaps you'll say 'I'm not giving up. I'll stick with my plans until I reach my goal. I'm determined to feel healthy and strong in the years ahead.' * Build a passion for the right thing. You don't want to be 'losing weight' for the rest of your life. So instead, set a goal of 'being' at a healthy weight. Or use an image of wearing a specific dress or pant size, or perhaps reaching a point where you feel strong and toned. This week, ask yourself the question, 'Am I interested or committed?' Then live in a way that demonstrates your commitment by staying on your weight-management program, 'no matter what!' To read more about staying committed, see Day 2 in the book '100 Days of Weight Loss.' To send feedback or comments on the Wt. Loss Minute, click 'reply' and send me a note. I always value your thoughts and ideas. Know others who've got a minute? Forward this ezine and brighten their day. Copyright Linda Spangle, 2006 #1016. Weight Loss for Life, Inc. 5023 W. 120th Ave. #183, Broomfield, CO 80020 Contact: [email protected] www.100DaysChallenge.com 303-452-1545 or 1-800-298-3020