Weight loss - gotta be in your mind for it to be in your body!

Following hot on the heels of the last Post, here is another straight back at ya on the same subject and from the same author. It's about setting goals - simple achievable and realistic goals that allow you quick wins to build your confidence and boost your morale. It can be done and this article also from 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8801339) is by Michelle Masters (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_A_Masters),a nd again provides for some short, simple sage advise. Read on, keep on track and make it happen - it will be worth it!



We live our lives by setting goals on a daily basis, it may not feel that way, but we do. Think about it, something small and simple, you make 'plans' to have a night out with friends at the weekend, that is a 'goal' there is an end result, that is measurable, and you may have to do some things in order to achieve your goal, arrange transport, babysitting, new clothes to wear or drinks to take with you, this is your 'plan' to achieve your goal.

You may not achieve your goal, an obstacle may get in the way (something comes up, babysitter lets you down) but you may be able to adjust that plan to still make it achievable, for a couple of days, it may be something you think about quite a lot, because you really want your night out, this is your focus on your goal, and the more you want it, the more you focus on it, so instead of just accepting the babysitter has let you down, and giving up on your goal, you try to find a way to make this goal happen, other options, family, friends, and you succeed, your sister can help, you achieve your goal and have a fabulous night out.

What do you think would have happened if, when your babysitter let you down, you just gave up, and stopped thinking about your night out, or gave up and sat focusing on how miserable you are at having to miss out. Nothing would have happened, except you would feel miserable of course.

This is a small goal, fairly easily achievable, and not difficult to believe you can make it happen, but what about when it's something bigger? Something that takes longer and may not yield fast results, like losing weight or getting fitter. Do you consciously make a plan? Do you believe you can make it happen? Do you give up when you come across an obstacle, or do you stay focused and adjust your plans?

The same simple process applies to any goal you have, including a goal to lose weight or get fitter and the same process will make that goal achievable.

It is without a doubt a bigger challenge, and can be difficult to know the best way to get started, especially if 'dieting' is the only way you know how and you have been struggling for a long time to lose weight. Maybe it's time then for something different...


WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Eat to lose weight . . . but, make it a habit!

I sourced this article for you from one published on ezinearticles by Michelle Gholson (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Gholson and http://EzineArticles.com/8800022) and thought it would help in cementing your diet gaol and turning these in to your eating habit that in the long term will bring the dividends you are looking for, when combined with your exercise programme. Remembering that eating and a healthy balanced diet are almost half the challenge, this needs to be as much a ficus as your exercise regime, so pay attention and get planning . . . and make a habit of your diet routine too.


I get asked pretty regularly about my eating and fitness routines, and while discipline and motivation may be the initial stimuli to healthy living it is actually making it a habit that should get all the credit for its long-term success.

Your first reaction to that opening statement if you are like most of us is "Well that is all fine and dandy but who has the time to make it a habit? I work, I have a family and the holidays are here!" Believe it or not you do not need hours a day to lose weight, get fit, change eating patterns, be happy or less stressed. 30 minutes a day is sufficient and short enough of a time frame to make it a priority, that is where the discipline and motivation come in.

Research from US space agency NASA shows habits take only 30 days to create. So if you take 30 minutes a day for those 30 days you can transform your health and well being long-term as they will have become a habit! Once a habit it's more likely you'll stick with it and you won't be easily lured to every diet or fitness fad that comes along.

What about those bad habits that are so hard to break?

Try replacing old routines with new ones. For example if you always eat lunch at your desk start taking a walk somewhere to eat your lunch. This new pattern of moving your body may motivate you to join a gym and sweat a little at lunch. Try waking up 10 minutes earlier so you can pack your lunch rather than always buying it. This new pattern may lead you to perusing cookbooks and browsing the Internet for recipe inspiration at dinner so you can pack the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Habits must be achievable, enjoyable and rewarding; and it starts with motivating your mind. If you don't take the time initially to create a mindset of where you want to be and what you want to achieve, it'll be hard to decide what your new habits should be. So take some time to think about your values, goals, what drives you and where you want to be in 30 days. Define your goals and write them down.

Habits are easier to create and make stick when you are well rested. So sleep. When you get enough zzz's you are more energised, less stressed and your immune system is stronger. Consistent sleep patterns stabilise hormones so you'll also find it easier to lose weight.

What can you do in 30 minutes a day for a month to create life long wellness habits? Here are some ideas to get you started and if you are a newbie they are in order of importance:

• Go through your pantry and refrigerator to get rid of less than healthy, stale, out of date foods. This does not mean you deprived yourself (a sure way to fail in creating a habit), rather for 30 days commit to make certain foods i.e. cookies, ice cream, processed foods, refined carbs a treat rather than a daily occurrence. When the craving hits, buy 1 serving and eat it at the source where you are purchasing.

• Once a week, plan what you want to eat and items needed to stock your pantry/refrigerator. Browse your favourite cookbooks, peruse the Internet and magazines, and of course subscribe to my site which is a streamlined aid in meal preparation and recipe inspiration.

• Once or twice a week, go shopping with a list for those healthy foods rather than rushing last minute into the grocery and picking up in a panic too many convenience foods because you are behind the eight ball or worse hungry which encourages impulsive buying.

• Prepare your food! Since you have completed ideas 1-3 this should be effortless and fun.

• Move your body! If this is new to you, start with a manageable activity that you find fun. Or just add more walking into your daily life- at lunch, around the block, park at the back of parking lots when running errands, walk to an errand. Once your body is used to movement, you will want to move on to more challenging or new activities. Aim for at least 3xs per week once you reach this stage.

• Chronicle your progress. There is nothing like taking the time to write down what you have done in achieving goals/changing or creating habits. Being able to visually see a list of your achievements is pretty impactful - record it all - big and small as it is all significant!

Now that you are ready to create new healthy habits for long-term wellness, I'll leave you with this inspirational quote from Jim Rohn, popular teacher on success and happiness, "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going".


Once again, some good simple easy to follow steps that if you make your plan, get committed, stick with it will become a habit in no time and you'll be well on your way. Remember though it's not just about the quality of the food you put in, but also the exercise you put out! The two go hand-in-hand!

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-