Are you interested in losing weight? or . . .

Are you committed to losing? That's the question for my second day of working through 100 Days of Weight Loss. Just seeing the first part of the question, I responded with an immediate yes. But, maybe that's the problem. Just being "interested" in losing weight is not a very firm relationship. If I'm just interested, I'm easily thrown off track by special occasions, beguiling chocolate chip cookie smells at the Safeway bakery, and temporary setbacks in the downward trend of my weight.

Just "interested" doesn't cut it. I need to be "committed" [okay, no wisecracks from the peanut gallery!]. If I'm truly committed to losing weight, I'm better equipped to just say "no" to the munch monster on my shoulder, the temptation to skip a planned workout, and other roadblocks which I know are going to come my way.

There used to be a TV commercial for a Karate school in the metro DC area. It ended with a very young. cute kid, clad in his white pajama uniform, saying "nobody bothers me!" That's my attitude from now on.

I'm committed to losing this weight and adopting this healthy, active lifestyle forever.

How about you? Are you interested in losing weight or are you truly committed to losing weight?

May 11th, 2010

I just got a new book, Linda Spangle's 100 Days of Weight Loss. The subtitles are The Secret to Being Successful on ANY Diet Plan and A Daily Motivator. It's the beginning of February, and while I'm still moving ahead on my New Year's resolution, I wanted to ratchet up my motivation a notch or two and to make sure that, this time, I reach my goal and stay there.

You're quick, I know, and have now guessed that May 11th is 100 days down the road. Just watch me, I'm gonna be there a thinner, fitter person than I am now! I'm liking this book. Each day, or chapter is just two pages long--a bit of thoughtful discussion of a motivating technique and a very short assignment. For today, Day 1, the author encourages you to face your inner fears about past failures at losing weight. She encourages you to adopt a new mantra--"I used to be that way, but now . . . ." My assignment for today:
**Make a list of any fears or negative behaviors that have hurt my weight-loss success in the past. Read each one out loud, and then say, "I used to be that way, but now I'm different."
**Then write new endings for them by completing this sentence: I used to _____(fill in your old behavior), but now I _______(write in your new ending).
**Read these new outcomes often, and then live in a way that makes them true.

1. Lose some weight by proper diet and exercise then gradually give up the exercise.
2. Give in to food temptations (like grocery aisle candy bars, or Costco "free" samples) because they didn't always show up immediately on the scale.
3. Start avoiding the scale (at home and at my WW weigh in) when I think I might have gained.

I could make a very long list, but I think I'll start with these three fears that I'm going to transform into new outcomes.

May 11th, here I come!!!! Want to join me??