Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The One Thing That Determines Weight Loss Success Or Failure
Hey "30-In-30" Low-Carb Weight Loss Challenge" devotees! How's it going for you today? Man, I've gotta tell you right now, I am absolutely pooped out. These past few days, I've hauled more shingles that we ripped off the roof of my house than I care to think about. Of course, I can't help but think about it because of the excruciating aches and pains in every crevice of my body.
Ahhhh, but despite how I feel right at this moment, I have an important message that anyone and everyone who desires weight loss needs to hear. In fact, I dare say this subject matter I will discuss with you today is the one thing that will determine whether you are ultimately a success or failure in your attempts to lose weight.
What is it?
In a word, it's all about the reward. You heard me right, finding the ability to bring about lasting and permanent weight loss requires you to see the light at the end of the tunnel that you can work your way towards.
As if getting thin and healthy isn't reward enough, most of us need an ego boost from time to time to let us know what a great job we are doing on our diet plan. Come on, be honest, you know you like hearing people tell you how good you are looking after a modest weight loss. That's one form of reward that works for people and can motivate them to great success.
There are other rewards people can use to help change their habits and help them live the coveted "healthy lifestyle" once and for all. One thing anyone can do (and MUST do, in my not-so-humble opinion!) is find something they enjoy doing and make that their reward.
If you like to go golfing, then use that as a reward for remaining faithful to your low-carb plan. Or perhaps you find pleasure in getting pampered at the spa with a massage and manicure. Ooooo, that's always nice. So set it up for yourself as a reward for reaching your goal. Find something to give you incentive to lose weight.
As many of you know, I was involved in a weight loss contest on the radio (read about the experience in this FREE chapter of my book) where I had the chance to win about $3500 worth of various prizes. Knowing all of that awaited me if I lost the most weight as a percentage of my starting weight motivated me and gave me the reward I needed to press on even when I felt like giving up.
Yes--surprise surprise--even I had those feelings from time to time. But it's how you respond to those moments when the diet doesn't feel as good as it once did that separates those who are successful or fall short of their ultimate goal. Find your reward and let it ignite the TNT of your internal resolve to do this once and for all. It's the best thing that could ever happen to you! It was for me!
One final thought on this reward concept. I don't think I need to tell you this, but just in case--DON'T MAKE FOOD YOUR REWARD! I mean DUH! That sorta defeats the purpose of rewarding your good behavior if you blow it along the way. However, that's not to say you can't have a few planned splurges every now and then as miniature goals on the way to your ultimate goal. They helped me until I finally didn't need them anymore.
How was your week? Did you lose some weight and want to share your success? Or perhaps you gained and want to vent a little? Go ahead and hit the comment link below and let us know how you are doing. Also, what is YOUR reward for sticking with the plan? Is there anything you do to keep yourself motivated to keep on keeping on? Please share it with us!
Ahhhh, but despite how I feel right at this moment, I have an important message that anyone and everyone who desires weight loss needs to hear. In fact, I dare say this subject matter I will discuss with you today is the one thing that will determine whether you are ultimately a success or failure in your attempts to lose weight.
What is it?
In a word, it's all about the reward. You heard me right, finding the ability to bring about lasting and permanent weight loss requires you to see the light at the end of the tunnel that you can work your way towards.
As if getting thin and healthy isn't reward enough, most of us need an ego boost from time to time to let us know what a great job we are doing on our diet plan. Come on, be honest, you know you like hearing people tell you how good you are looking after a modest weight loss. That's one form of reward that works for people and can motivate them to great success.
There are other rewards people can use to help change their habits and help them live the coveted "healthy lifestyle" once and for all. One thing anyone can do (and MUST do, in my not-so-humble opinion!) is find something they enjoy doing and make that their reward.
If you like to go golfing, then use that as a reward for remaining faithful to your low-carb plan. Or perhaps you find pleasure in getting pampered at the spa with a massage and manicure. Ooooo, that's always nice. So set it up for yourself as a reward for reaching your goal. Find something to give you incentive to lose weight.
As many of you know, I was involved in a weight loss contest on the radio (read about the experience in this FREE chapter of my book) where I had the chance to win about $3500 worth of various prizes. Knowing all of that awaited me if I lost the most weight as a percentage of my starting weight motivated me and gave me the reward I needed to press on even when I felt like giving up.
Yes--surprise surprise--even I had those feelings from time to time. But it's how you respond to those moments when the diet doesn't feel as good as it once did that separates those who are successful or fall short of their ultimate goal. Find your reward and let it ignite the TNT of your internal resolve to do this once and for all. It's the best thing that could ever happen to you! It was for me!
One final thought on this reward concept. I don't think I need to tell you this, but just in case--DON'T MAKE FOOD YOUR REWARD! I mean DUH! That sorta defeats the purpose of rewarding your good behavior if you blow it along the way. However, that's not to say you can't have a few planned splurges every now and then as miniature goals on the way to your ultimate goal. They helped me until I finally didn't need them anymore.
How was your week? Did you lose some weight and want to share your success? Or perhaps you gained and want to vent a little? Go ahead and hit the comment link below and let us know how you are doing. Also, what is YOUR reward for sticking with the plan? Is there anything you do to keep yourself motivated to keep on keeping on? Please share it with us!
Labels: 30-in-30, diet, failure, low-carb, motivation, reward, success, weight loss
# posted by Jimmy Moore @ 2/27/2007 01:53:00 PM 
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My week was great!
Another 2 pounds gone for a total of 29 pounds in 26 weeks(yep still counting!)
I weigh myself on Sunday mornings at the gym and was at 29 but I sooooo wanted that 30 to show up! Oh well next week.
My reward is usually something I am striving for.
I had a pair of pants on top of my closet door for about a month and got into them.
Time to buy another pair and put up there since I want another 20 pounds gone.
Giving myself another 5 months to do that though.
I know people ask me what keeps me going and I can't even give a reason because I have no idea what it is but then I am still losing and have no desire to "cheat"
Until then, I guess I will have to figure it out!!
Have a great week everyone.
Wanda
Another 2 pounds gone for a total of 29 pounds in 26 weeks(yep still counting!)
I weigh myself on Sunday mornings at the gym and was at 29 but I sooooo wanted that 30 to show up! Oh well next week.
My reward is usually something I am striving for.
I had a pair of pants on top of my closet door for about a month and got into them.
Time to buy another pair and put up there since I want another 20 pounds gone.
Giving myself another 5 months to do that though.
I know people ask me what keeps me going and I can't even give a reason because I have no idea what it is but then I am still losing and have no desire to "cheat"
Until then, I guess I will have to figure it out!!
Have a great week everyone.
Wanda
# posted by 
: 2/27/2007 5:27 PM
: 2/27/2007 5:27 PM
Well, this week was tough. Mostly because we had the flu bug going around at our house.
I lost 1 lb and have been holding steady. It was tough not to cave in to munching on crackers when I was sick at my stomach. Or to just eat whatever was easiest because I'd been up all night with the kids while they were sick. But honestly, I'd rather not eat than blow it right now.
The best news, other than we are all finally getting better, is that I meaured today and lost 4.25 inches just last week! That's a total of 8.75 inches (since I started measuring anyhow) and 17 lbs since Jan. 17th!
As for my reward, right now it's wearing smaller clothes. I have a closet full of size 6 and 4 clothes from the last time I lost weight. Everytime I look in my closet I'm motivated to keep going because I know I'll soon be able to wear them again.
My long term reward should be to just be healthy again and to feel great. But to be honest, that doesn't always keep me motivated, so I'll have to continually reward myself with my favorite hobbies, outings with my family, etc.
I lost 1 lb and have been holding steady. It was tough not to cave in to munching on crackers when I was sick at my stomach. Or to just eat whatever was easiest because I'd been up all night with the kids while they were sick. But honestly, I'd rather not eat than blow it right now.
The best news, other than we are all finally getting better, is that I meaured today and lost 4.25 inches just last week! That's a total of 8.75 inches (since I started measuring anyhow) and 17 lbs since Jan. 17th!
As for my reward, right now it's wearing smaller clothes. I have a closet full of size 6 and 4 clothes from the last time I lost weight. Everytime I look in my closet I'm motivated to keep going because I know I'll soon be able to wear them again.
My long term reward should be to just be healthy again and to feel great. But to be honest, that doesn't always keep me motivated, so I'll have to continually reward myself with my favorite hobbies, outings with my family, etc.
Hey, whatever works, Wanda! If you can't explain it and it's working, then WHO CARES! WOO HOO, way to go!
Sparky's Girl, I hope you get to feeling better soon. Certainly you have found what motivates you and keeps you going even when it gets tough. Don't give up!
Sparky's Girl, I hope you get to feeling better soon. Certainly you have found what motivates you and keeps you going even when it gets tough. Don't give up!
Down another 1-3/4 from last week, which is actually only 1 lb more than my lowest weight back in early January - Which was only one day, but still... It feels good to be getting back down there, finally!
What's my reward for sticking with it? Mainly that I don't feel awful all the time. Oh sure, there's the thing of buying smaller clothes every so often, but that's something that will eventually cease to be a reward, because eventually I'll reach goal/my body's natural size.
But feeling good - Ah! Now that's something that will stick with me for as long as I stick with this way of eating. I spent so many years feeling so awful - in a brain fog, lethargic, sluggish, sleepy - that having energy, strength, and stamina are things I don't think I'll ever get enough of! So it's a lifetime commitment - Somehow, some way, no matter what, I need to stay on a low carb diet for the rest of my life.
What's my reward for sticking with it? Mainly that I don't feel awful all the time. Oh sure, there's the thing of buying smaller clothes every so often, but that's something that will eventually cease to be a reward, because eventually I'll reach goal/my body's natural size.
But feeling good - Ah! Now that's something that will stick with me for as long as I stick with this way of eating. I spent so many years feeling so awful - in a brain fog, lethargic, sluggish, sleepy - that having energy, strength, and stamina are things I don't think I'll ever get enough of! So it's a lifetime commitment - Somehow, some way, no matter what, I need to stay on a low carb diet for the rest of my life.
Now THAT is an outstanding attitude, Calianna. Go on with your bad self and keep feeling and looking as good as you do. You should be very proud of yourself! :)
I started my 30 in 30 the wed after Christmas. I had maintained for a year then all the sudden I was up 30. What a set back! I have lost 19 1/2 lbs. I would have to say my reward is feeling more comfortable in my body. The ability to move with ease is a reward all by it self! Even 30 lbs slowed me down over where I had been for a year.
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# posted by : 3/01/2007 1:41 PM
: 3/01/2007 1:41 PM Links to this post:
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