Our culture is filled with people that are overweight, many of them are obese. We're all familiar with the headlines about the medical issues caused by carrying too much weight, but there are also quality-of-life issues. There is an abundance of material in print and online promising to deliver a solution to this problem. Some look pretty good, and some look ridiculous. Many strategies have been tried and have failed because most of them aren't realistic.
In order to have a good chance of achieving a goal, the goal has to be realistic. I'm not saying the goal has to be small or easy, but it has to be possible. Any worthwhile goal needs to stretch you and take you out of your comfort zone, but it has to be doable. Your goal shouldn't be so lofty that it plunges you into discouragement when you don't achieve it. The key is to set a realistic goal that you believe 100% you can meet. Then plot your course with manageable steps you can take to get there.
A good way to start is to get yourself a journal and jot down everything you eat and every attempt at exercise for a week. If you don't exercise in that week, look for places in your schedule where you can fit some activity into each day. This will give you an idea of both where you go wrong and what you already do right. This first step is important because it helps you to be conscious of your behavior and identify bad habits that are sabotaging your health.
Not only does your plan have to be realistic but so do your expectations. Anytime we gain something it stands to reason that we also lose something. There is a cost. For example, if you decided to go back to school to get degree you would expect to set aside some time for reading and study. You would eventually get that degree, however you would've given up all those hours of free time to get it. Weight loss is no exception. Losing weight will make you feel better about yourself and be healthier, but you'll have to give up some calories to do it. Making sure you're prepared for these sacrifices will give you a much better chance of success.
Another thing you can do for yourself during your weight loss journey is to expect some slip-ups. There will be social gatherings and other times when you'll indulge in a truffle or a wedge of cheese cake, but that's okay. We all need to reward ourselves occasionally, even while losing weight. Just get back on your plan the next day. Going back to the college degree analogy, missing one assignment probably won't cost you the degree. And an occasional dessert probably won't cost you your success in getting fit. So make a realistic plan, go for it and don't let anything get in your way.
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