Diabetes - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 5:03 - 0 Comments

Five Easy Ways to Make a Calories Loss Commitment

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?

That is what happens to most people because dieting is not always fun, change is usually no fun and there are times when losing weight can just get hard. But in order to make real, healthy, permanent changes you need to make sure that the food you eat over the long term is both enjoyable and provides you with the calories loss you need. You need to be committed to getting healthy and fit and to sticking with your diet and this time you really do make that commitment.

Committing to anything involves letting others in on your secret and using some kind of outward sign that you are serious. If this seems a little contrived to you, do not underestimate the power of an action like this and recall the significance of symbols like trophies, rings and pledges during special ceremonies on other important occasions. Politicians like Senator McCain or Senator Obama will be committing to our whole country in November. If you really are serious about sticking to a balanced calories loss diet and you really want to enjoy the benefits of and successful exercise program then be prepared to commit this to others in your life.

Making a commitment to lose weight and enjoy a healthy life is important and you can do this in a number of fun ways including a written contract where you agree to stick with your program for a minimum of six months and then review your progress and commitment then . Make sure that you specify the outcome of following your contact and breaking it. Add your signature and request a witness countersigns it so that it can be a sign and a reminder of your commitment that you keep in a public place.

Paying for a fitness trainer and joining a gym is action that reflects a very clear commitment to reaching your weight loss goal. Both require your money up front without refund if you fail to show up or drop the program for any reason. Payment for these reasons to help you become fit and healthy can be an effective way to make a long term commitment to weight loss.

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.

Let others know about your new eating plan, in particular those at home, in your workplace and any of your other usual contacts. Let them know about your weight loss and exercise goals and the program you plan to follow and notice how they ask you about your calories loss eating and the impact that this has on your weight loss. Because you have shared your plans with others, there is a strong possibility that you will remain committed even when things get tough and you are tempted to give up.

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.