Not a Mystery

It is not magic; it is not a secret; it is not rocket science. It is hard work and easily accessible science. You have to be motivated. You know how they always say that if someone is not motivated to change, like an alcoholic or a smoker, you cannot do anything to help them? Weight-loss is the same. If you are not ready to do this for yourself, no program, pill, or plan is going to work for you. This may sound cold and hard, but it is truth, and I believe truth is the only path to freedom!

When I graduated from high school, I weighed 105. When I graduated from college, I weighed 115. After the birth of my first child, I was able to get back to 125. After my second child, I got back down to 135. I gained and lost, gained and lost through the years until I reached an all-time high of 210. By this time I had developed high blood pressure, had many female problems, and took medication for high cholesterol. I also struggled with depression, insomnia, and panic attacks. I was on more than one medication for my mental/emotional health. The weight did not cause these issues, but it did not help.

I wish I could tell you that I was motivated to lose the weight, finally, because I wanted to be healthier, mentally and physically. I did want to be healthier, but that did not motivate me to lose weight. I could not bear to look at the photographs of my daughter’s graduation from college, from my alma mater. This is what pushed me towards permanent change.

I looked at those pictures and cried. I felt hopeless and helpless, embarrassed and stupid. I had taken fat blockers and tried all the various diet programs with some degree of success. I found that as soon as I stopped eating the program foods or counting calories or points, I put that weight, plus additional pounds, back on. If you have ever lost weight and gained it back, you know how frustrating this can be. I knew that I had to make some radical lifestyle changes. I stopped making excuses.

All of the diet programs say that you must make lifestyle change. They will all work if you stay with them and keep working their programs! But, I had to figure out how to do this in a way that was doable for me. The un-mysterious truth is that you must eat less and move more.

This week, look in the mirror. Imagine yourself the way you would like to look and feel. Think about beginning a journey. Are you ready? Be honest with yourself. If you are not ready, ask yourself what it may take to get you there. Set a short-term goal such as,  “I want to lose five/ten pounds by Thanksgiving.” Today is September 16, that gives you a little over two months. This is doableJ

Next installment, I’ll share my first steps!