Staying Committed - Part I
Start slow.
Don't over-do it. That only leads to sore muscles and burnout. Start by walking casually for 15 minutes every other day.
Take it one day at a time.
Any 12-step program will tell you that the thought of having to ignore a craving for the rest of your life is too daunting. But if you break it up into manageable time frames - a day at a time - it becomes doable.
Get a partner.
Workout partners help each other to stick with it and realize fitness goals. Knwoing that your friend is waiting for you at the gym can be just what you need to get out of the chair and into your gym clothes.
Publicly declare your weight loss program.
Peer pressure is a great motivator. If your friends know that you are trying to lose weight, your pals will be supportive and encouraging - plus you will hate to let them down.
Ignore temptations.
This is going to sound crazy but a lot of people are going to tempt you and knock you off you weight loss plan. For example, you are at work, everyone is having birthday cake but you. They will say "Come on, have just one little piece . Don't make the birthday boy/girl feel bad.". The reason they can't bear to see you not eating it is that it makes them feel guilty. Stay strong, stick to our guns and don't just give in.
Keep trying.
Find the exercise and diet plan that works best for you. Experiment, if it doesn't feel right, try something else.
Visualize the new you.
If you can see it, you can be it. Cut photos out of magazines and put them on the refrigerator. Having a goal gives you something to strive for.
Give it 12 weeks.
Studies show that it takes about three months to adopt a new habit. Watching your weight is no exception. After three months, you will see enough progress to keep you going and your new way of eating and exercise will start to become second nature.
Get a calorie counter.
Most of us really have no idea how much we eat in a day. Knowing how many calories you are eating will show you where you are making mistakes and help you stay within your limit for healthy eating.
Be realistic.
Don't try to lose more than a pound or two a week. Anything more than that is too hard to keep up. Your body thinks it is starving. Your metabolism slows down and it becomes harder to lose weight. What happens that is that you feel so deprived you binge - and gain back even more. Then you get back on your diet and befor eyou know it, you are a yo-yo eater.
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