| Even though I've never met you, I think I know | | | | Be your biggest fan. And resolve to never give up. |
| something about you. You want to be healthy, | | | | "I can't do this alone." |
| strong, and energetic, but the thought of going on | | | | Having good role models when you are attempting to |
| another diet makes your heart sink. The good news | | | | lose weight is essential. Another reason I think I was |
| is that you don't have to go on another diet; there is | | | | successful with losing weight was that I humbled |
| a better way to health. | | | | myself by going to a coworker who was in great |
| But here's the key: You will never find that better | | | | shape and asking her to share with me what she |
| way if you don't renew your mind first. | | | | was doing to stay that way. |
| Practicing the same thoughts and habits will only get | | | | Now I can't say that I like sharing my weaknesses, |
| you the same results. Do you want better results? | | | | but in this case I didn't have to. Even though I never |
| Then commit to renewing your mind until the | | | | said anything to her about my food addiction, my |
| following five attitudes become your battle cry: | | | | body testified about it via my excess pounds. It was |
| "I've had enough." | | | | a relief to finally tell the truth to myself and admit |
| An intolerable situation will exist in your life as long as | | | | that I needed help. |
| you are willing to tolerate it. If you are obese and | | | | I created a checklist for myself in which I monitored |
| secretly think that the situation is not that bad, then | | | | my exercise and eating. I asked my coworker to |
| that's fine. Just realize that this attitude means that | | | | look it over with me each Monday. It helped me to |
| you will probably not lose weight long term. We | | | | stay accountable for my actions. My advice to you |
| human beings like to take the path of least | | | | on this is to get a partner to help you stay on track. |
| resistance. Keeping things the way they are is as | | | | However, it is critical that you choose the right one. |
| easy as it gets. | | | | Never choose a partner who is in the same shape as |
| But, if you reach the point of saying to yourself (and | | | | you are (or worse). Choose someone who already |
| meaning it) "I am sick and tired of being sick and | | | | has what you want. You want to be sure that this |
| tired" then you have taken the first step to turning | | | | person is using rational, healthy means to stay in |
| your life around. Those in addiction recovery | | | | shape. Then, create a plan and ask them to review it |
| programs call this point "hitting bottom." You have to | | | | with you regularly. Knowing that you have a shoulder |
| make up your mind that you have had enough of | | | | to lean on if you ever need help can make a big |
| living a destructive health lifestyle and you are willing | | | | difference in whether you endure to the end. |
| to turn from it. | | | | In addition, realize that you also need divine |
| "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to succeed." | | | | intervention. Ask God to give you strength to see |
| The 'whatever it takes' attitude is necessary to | | | | your battle through to the end. He is faithful and will |
| achieving your goals...within reason. It should be limited | | | | help you if you become weary. All you have to do is |
| to those actions that are safe for you to take. It | | | | ask. |
| should not include known destructive means of losing | | | | "I'm in this for the long haul." |
| weight, such as starving yourself, purging, drugs, or | | | | The final attitude is that you must be committed to |
| excessive exercise. | | | | practicing your new health habits until you achieve |
| Instead, it means taking the time to educate yourself | | | | your goals, even though it might take longer than |
| on nutritional principles and fitness techniques so that | | | | you expect. This is not the time for "I'm losing |
| you can act in harmony with your body. Then, you | | | | weight for my high school reunion" or "I want to fit |
| invest time in figuring out how you can customize | | | | into a bikini for the summer." After all, what happens |
| what you have learned to fit your lifestyle. You might | | | | when those events have passed? You will likely |
| have to give up some T.V. time to do this, but isn't | | | | revert to your old habits and end up in worse shape |
| your health of greater value to you than T.V? | | | | than you were before. |
| "Failure is not an option." | | | | Instead, you want to be fit for life and that takes |
| The reason I finally succeeded in losing weight and | | | | time. It takes determination and persistence. It takes |
| keeping it off that final time was making a decision | | | | both rigidity and flexibility; you must be rigid in that |
| that I would not quit. I created a mental picture of | | | | you stay committed to your ultimate goal and flexible |
| myself getting into a boxing ring with my bad habits | | | | because you are willing to adjust your new habits to |
| and I saw myself slugging it out with them. | | | | better fit how you live. |
| I vowed that no matter how many times they | | | | I pray that you read these words and that they sink |
| knocked me down (those times when I backslid), I | | | | into your mind. Meditate on them. When they have |
| would always make myself get up and try again. I did | | | | become ingrained and your life begins to reflect your |
| not waste time beating myself up. Instead, I was my | | | | new attitudes, then you can be assured that you will |
| biggest motivator and coach. I constantly gave | | | | win your weight loss battles and you will become all |
| myself "You can do it" messages. So it must be with | | | | that God intended for you to be. |
| you. | | | | |