Have you noticed how a child that was brought up without sweets acts when he/she taste sweets for the first time? It seems like something in the brain is triggered and the hand is unable to feed the mouth quick enough. I've seen this many times when parents keep sweets away from their babies and small children and these children can choose whatever they want on a friends birthday party. It is quite interesting and exactly the point I want to prove: Our bodies are programmed to prefer foods that are not good to us.
Now you understand why weight loss is such a challenge! You are battling your own body to change its habits and most of all, to dislike what is actually preferred.
If you want to lose weight successfully, do not start dieting without getting your mind in order. The mind is the most powerful asset to be successful at whatever you desire. Think about yourself - how do you look to yourself? When you are naked and look into a full size mirror, what do you see?
- Start with your hair. Is it dull and lifeless? Write it down.
- Your face... Does it look swollen, rough skin perhaps? Maybe spots, pimples or other skin problems? Write is down.
- Your shoulders. Are they looking proud or are they hanging like you've lost a battle? Pull them up. Do they look better now? Write down what you see.
- Your arms... Are they floppy and totally out of shape? Write it down.
- Now take a look at your chest. If you're a man, does it look like you need a bra? If you're a woman, does it look like you need two bra's or maybe your body is so plump that it does not like if you have breast at all? Write what you see.
- Your waist. Is it totally out of shape? Did your once stunningly shaped waist turned into a zero? Does it constantly look if you're pregnant? Maybe you have lose floppy skin as a result of pregnancy. Maybe your wife was pregnant but somehow you turned out the one with the floppy skin... Write what you see.
- Now turn to the side. What do you see when looking at your behind. Well, when I started with weight loss, I saw trouble when I looked at my behind. Does it look like a huge hail storm attacked your bum and thighs? When you look at your tummy and behind from the side, does it look like your pregnant on different areas of your body? This is going to change!
- Look at your legs. Do they look more like tree stumps than shaped legs? Write what you see.
- Your feet... Are they swollen and look like they can do with a good rest? Write how they look.
I believe you are now totally shocked into reality regarding how you look and maybe denial was a more appropriate way of thinking because it meant less work. Maybe you feel already discouraged. Don't be! You were never before in a better place than right now because now you can start plan your work and work your plan!
Once a friend of mine told me that every woman needs a friend that is fatter than her because then she does not feel that guilty. This made me think of how many 'fatter' friends I knew and then it struck me: I am also the fatter friend in other people's lives. Now I did not feel that good any more! Who are you? Are you the fatter friend in most people's lives? This is going to change and then they will become the fatter friends when you absolutely love your new body and feel great!
How do I plan my work towards weight loss?
Easy! You have already assessed your body. Now you are going to assess your life. Think about the following and write it down for 1 week only (be honest):
- How late at night are you going to bed?
- Do you get at least 6 hours sleep a night while 8 is the perfect number?
- How late are you getting up in the morning?
- What is the first thing you consume after waking up? Coffee?
- Are you doing some exercise to kick-start your day?
- Are you taking a fresh bath or shower before work?
- What are you eating for breakfast? Are you eating at all?
- How is your work day? What do you consume during the day? How many coffee? And sugar???
- Do you eat food at all during your work day? What and how many?
- When you get home from work, what do you eat? And/or drink?
- What are you doing? Watching TV? Preparing dinner?...and then watch TV?
- Are you taking a bath or shower to wash away the stress of the day?
- What are you consuming before going to bed?
- Over the weekend, how is your lifestyle - what do you eat and drink and how many hours do you sleep?
You have assessed your lifestyle. Does it seem healthy? Are you respecting your body by feeding, relaxing, resting and cleaning it properly? Probably not if you put the two assessments next to one another. Maybe now you understand why your hair is dull, why your skin does not look smooth and healthy and all other things you saw in the mirror.
The best place to start changing how your body looks is by changing your lifestyle! The best place to start changing your lifestyle is by getting a plan!
Now, take your lifestyle assessment and making a plan to change it by adding something positive, pro-active and healthy to replace the negative, passive and unhealthy issues. Make a list to be able to formulate a plan. "What plan?", you may ask... Well, the things you are going to do to change your lifestyle, eating habits, sleep patterns and relaxing your body. Be reasonable and draw up a "things to do" list. Be practical.
Now work your plan!
Take your "things to do" list and put it next to your daily activities. Maybe you can go to bed an hour or two earlier to be able to get up one hour earlier in the morning. Instead of taking a large mug of coffee and two or three spoons of sugar, drink a glass of water to get your metabolism running. Now, put on something comfortable and go for a walk (if you're heavy overweight please do not try to jog because your feet and knees work to hard and takes to much impact) or do some exercise at home with a DVD. It is important to get your heart rate up to tell your body "its time to wake up and start working". You need 20-30 minutes of exercise to give your day a kick-start. If you take a walk, walk fast enough to be able to talk a few words but unable to sing. Do not overdo it!
When you get home, drink a cup of coffee instead of a mug full and use half the sugar. Switch to decaf instead. Take a nice shower or bath to relax your muscles and 'get fresh' for the day. Now its time for breakfast. If you are using the GR2 products, take your meal replacement shake. If not, eat something healthful like a slice of whole wheat bread with cottage cheese (low fat), a boiled egg or fresh fruit or have a small bowl of whole wheat breakfast cereal without sugar (all of them have sugar already added) and a fruit or glass of fruit juice. The idea is not to each as much but to choose low GI foods that last you longer!
Now you're ready to start your working day. At tea time rather have a whole wheat cracker and cheese than a donut or biscuits. Again, drink half the amount of coffee and sugar if you must and keep it decaf with low fat milk. Try decaf tea that helps your digestive system rather than coffee that slows it down. Pure fruit juice or water is a better choice. If you can eat fruit you've already added fibre which are needed to make your body function well.
For lunch make the time to sit and eat - be relaxed. Eat something low fat and keep servings small. Go for the low GI options if keep meat skinny and about the size of the palm of your hand. A good size slimmers steak is about 160-200g. If you eat at a restaurant, ask the waiter for a grilled option that is not oil basted. Always eat salad with oil free dressing and not to much salt.
When you go to a shopping mall, do not take the closest parking. Walk fast and use the steps in stead of the lift when you do not have much to carry. If there is only a lift, park as far as possible to get some exercise. Rather buy juice or water than donuts, popcorn or sugary fizzy drinks.
When you get back from work, instead of going straight to the couch to watch TV, go for a quick walk for about 10 minutes. Walk as fast as you can and drink lots of water.
Eat dinner early. It is best to eat 3 hours before going to bed but 2 is fine if you get home late. Eat something light if you had lunch or if this is the main meal of the day, eat low GI foods that will last longer. Before you go to bed, take a refreshing shower or bath to literally wash away the stress of the day and relax mind and body. If you're not tired yet (I bet you will be with all the extra exercise!), read something relaxing and then go to sleep.
If you've planned your 'work' well, you will easily work your plan!
Good luck and I know the reward will be pleasant!
No comments:
Post a Comment