Remember the Reasons Why....

I saw one patient yesterday that started the program at a very obese weight and within 15 weeks, has lost almost 80 pounds. He was telling me that he recently returned from a family vacation and he was able to play with his children in the ocean, and has not been able todo this previously because of the weight. As he was interacting with his family, he started thinking that his efforts to get to a healthier weight will allow him to spend many more years being able to provide resources for his family as well as being able to spend time with them. He began to feel an obligation to his children and wife to lose the weight. He felt that it was selfish on his part to have allowed himself to reach a medically dangerous weight.

I saw another patient yesterday that has lost over 30 pounds, with her major motivation being her daughter's wedding. Originally it was all about looking great in her dress and that was the major motivation. However, over the last month or so, the patient started realizing that there was a global lack of self-esteem that had been present, and the significant weight loss has incredibly increased her confidence and positive feelings about herself.

The bottom line: There is nothing "fun" about the act of losing weight. It comes down to giving up/altering behavior patterns that are pleasurable and hedonistic. But, the end results are incredibly fun...being healthier, living longer, avoiding debilitating diseases, looking younger, having higher levels of self-confidence, rediscovering your ego...all of these are SO MUCH FUN.

Try to focus on the reasns why you want to lose weight and keep those reasons at the very forefront of your mind. This may allow you to"just say no" to the "treats and goodies" which truly are the saboteurs and hurtful things to our health.