Pier 5 Condo

There is always a ‘honeymoon phase’ with every diet when commitment comes easily and we assure ourselves and others that this weight loss program will be the one to make the difference. We tell others and ourselves that we can do it through a calories loss diet and an exciting exercise program. But how long does the honeymoon generally last and when do we begin to fall by the wayside resorting to the wrong kind of eating and that sees our weight loss diminish, stop or even reverse?

The reality is that dieting is not like an indefinite honeymoon, it is more like a marriage where we should expect difficult times and some hurdles along the way. To reshape your body on a permanent basis and to get healthier and fitter you need to find or devise a weight loss program that is balanced as well as something that you can enjoy across the long term. Spend time selecting foods on your calories loss menu that you really like to eat then find exercise that can become a welcome part of your life and when you have done that make a public commitment to continuing this.

Do not just tell yourself it is time to get healthy; instead make a physical gesture to show that you are committed to staying on that calories loss diet and making healthy other important changes to your lifestyle. If that sounds silly to you, it should not because people of all kinds even those in political office like Senator McCain and Senator Obama use all kinds of physical symbols to show their commitment to important matters. Rings, tattoos, ceremonies, even certificates and trophies are signs of commitment so you need a physical sign of commitment to mark the start of your diet.

There are some fun ways to make a commitment to become healthier, happier, and fit by losing weight so begin positively and write it down, making a weight loss contract and committing to stay on your diet for at least six months. Include in the contract, rewards for staying committed and penalties for breaking the contract. Then sign it, have a friend witness it then keep it on the refrigerator to remind you of your commitment.

Hire a personal trainer as extra incentive because once you spend the money for a personal trainer, that money is gone whether you use those personal training sessions or not. The same rule usually applies to a gym membership as well, so spending money on exercise this is a commitment to getting fit. And knowing that money is gone whether or not you use that gym membership or get those personal training sessions they are likely to motivate you to exercise more.

Start up a ‘Weight Watching’ club by finding friends and workmates who like the idea of sharing their commitment to a healthier body and life. Make meetings fun, focusing on each others’ weight loss success and include time to hear about what works best for individuals. Support groups like this are public opportunities for members to make initial and then ongoing commitment to themselves and each other and work very effectively for large weight loss organizations as well as smaller groups.

You do not need to take out a front page advertisement in national papers but real commitment to a permanent lifestyle change and healthier body becomes more powerful when you share this with your friends, family and workmates. The outcome of this is generally very encouraging and you can anticipate interest in your calories loss menu and your exercise routine. After sharing your commitment with the people in your life whose opinion you value, it is more likely that you will remain committed for yourself and for them.

Visualize just how you want to look at your healthiest and happiest and have fun selecting magazine pictures that reflect this or your own photos taken at an earlier and healthier time. Make sure that these are on display in your office and at home as such images say ‘This is who I will be’ and ‘This is where my weight loss will take me’. They will be daily reminders of the importance of committing to a calories loss diet that will bring these results.