Taking Ownership

Got a minute? That's long enough to take ownership The Wt. Loss Minute by Linda Spangle, RN, MA www.100DaysChallenge.com Great idea: It's up to me to make it work! My younger sister used to have the most beautiful, long blonde hair. When I was in high school, I decided I was sick of my short, limp red hair, and that I wanted to grow it long like hers. So I brushed my hair one hundred strokes every night, soaked the ends in egg yolks and mayonnaise, and took special vitamins guaranteed to make hair grow. But after six months of these intense efforts, my hair still barely reached my shoulders. In the meantime, my sister's hair grew even more and now hung almost to her waist. All I could think of was "It just isn't fair!" You've probably had these thoughts about people who can eat anything, yet never gain weight. It just isn't fair. Yet in reality, the number of people who never gain weight is probably similar to the percentage who are capable of growing hair that reaches their waist. What really counts is that you take care of YOU and manage your own weight in the best way possible. It's up to me! When you are committed to weight loss goals, you have to take responsibility for your own outcomes. That means you may need to stop blaming others when you slip up, and instead, figure out a strategy for coping better the next time. You also need to eliminate "if only" excuses such as "If only I had more time, more money, a new job or a supportive spouse, I'd be able to stay on my diet." Research shows that successful dieters share one common theme--they take "ownership" of their efforts. To make this concept work, you simply have to figure out what works for you, then do it. If you have a bad day (or week) don't just give up and quit. Instead, take some time to study what happened. Identify where you let things go, didn't follow through or otherwise contributed to your own struggle. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?" Build your ownership With ownership, you accept that "It's my body. It's my problem. And it will also be my own efforts that make me successful." Once you reach this conclusion, you realize you have ultimate power over what happens in your efforts to manage your weight. Although I kept trying, I never was able to grow long hair. So finally, I stopped thinking "It's not fair," and instead, I took ownership by getting my hair permed and styled like some of the magazine photos. Sometimes, I think my sister wished she'd had the option of using gel and spray to create a dozen different looks. But instead she was stuck with long, straight hair. Some things in life just aren't fair! To read more about being committed, see Day #3 in the book "100 Days of Weight Loss." Note: This is #4 in a series on being committed to your weight-loss plan, not just interested in it. If you missed the first three, you can read them here: http://www.rapidwtloss.com/index.php?page_id=289 To send feedback or comments on the Wt. Loss Minute, click "reply" and send me a note. I always value your thoughts and ideas. Please be sure to add to your email address book or white list. Know others who've got a minute? Forward this ezine and brighten their day. Copyright Linda Spangle, 2006. #1106, 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

thank you mary. Im sorry I havent been around. Ive been entrapped in school and Im finally on a break. Hows it all going for you? Im struggling getting these 20lbs+ off that I want gone but Ive not gained and Ive not been focused so once I get my head on straight again hopefully off they will come. Ive missed you!! sarah