Getting Fit and Losing Weight in 08: Tell Everyone You Know with a GOOD ATTITUDE
Last night I went to dinner with my husband and son for the first time in awhile. We had some good news, it was late, and to be honest, I had no desire to clean up the kitchen. We went out and by the end of a pretty healthy meal I said to my husband, "Let's order dessert." He about died and said, "Are you sure you want to do that? You know you will bloat and you might complain that you blew the calories." I thought about it, sipped on some hot tea, asked for a menu to make sure they had something I really wanted, and then went for it. It was delicious, I bloated, I owned my decision, busted out some bonus cardio for 40 minutes before bed to help the bloat, and feel great today about it.
Notice how my husband stopped and questioned me? Some of you might think, "What a jerk." Well, not so fast my friends. That is part of the deal in this relationship. I've told him a long time ago that when we eat out I'm tempted to eat off my plan. It's OK as long as I choose to do it versus habitually doing it. My speedbump is Chris. He makes me stop for a moment to think through my decisions versus tempting me or just letting me do whatever. It's a great way to have my social network involved with my lifestyle. Even though I've lost my weight and kept it off for going on three years now I still battle the inner demons and need help from friends and family.
Losing weight is hard and I've never kidded you about that. The way to do it is easy; the implementation is what throws us. As we have discussed for a few days there are several things you should do to have success and one of them is telling everyone you know your plan to lose and WHY you want to lose weight.
Our support networks are only as good as we inform them. Tell the people that you spend time with the most of your new lifestyle changes. Do it in a way that excites them. Say things like...
"I've decided to change my outlook on life and I'm doing X,Y,Z to get there. It's so exciting to have something rewarding and challenging to work towards."
"I am making some great changes in my health and fitness life. It's time I start being the woman and mother I want to be and that means living healthfully so that I can enjoy my grandkids in X amount of years."
"I want to be sexy and to do that I have to live like a sexy woman. That means working out to build a beautiful body and eating clean to make sure my body is ready for the physical challenges I'm going to do."
See how we said it postively and in a way that someone would even think about doing it themselves? These statements get the people around you supporting you versus trying to rescue you from your latest crazy diet attempt. Too many times we tell everyone...
"I'm on a diet, don't tempt me because I'm weak, and make me go to the gym because I won't want to go."
Yeah, that sounds like someone who is convinced they can do it, excited to change their life, and a person who won't go to IHOP if prodded just a little on day five when they are Ms. Cranky Pants from sugar withdrawal. You also have a double-whammy in that statement. You've put the blame on the people around you for when you fail at a meal or an exercise appointment. You are already telling yourself that if you don' follow through one time - it's NOT MY FAULT. I'm sure your friends love being the fall guy.
Ladies, it's time you start ditching the Fat Girl Thinking and start being the woman you want to be. By starting your new year off with a good attitude, excited about the changes you are making, and getting your social network on board you will have greater success.