Make the Decision for Good Health



Suzy had trouble deciding what exercise she should do to start her weight loss program. She claimed she really didn’t like to exercise. She wavered at the grocery store when picking out the foods she would buy for herself and her family. “Will they complain and give me trouble if I don’t buy the usual junk foods?” she thought to herself.

Was Suzy feeling fear of the unknown or just plain indecision. The answer is, she was feeling both. Fear of experiencing backlash from her family, fear of failure (“Am I a joke trying to make these changes?”) and fear that the pain of perceived deprivation would be too great to endure.

Suzy had not yet made the “definitive decision” to change her and her family’s lifestyle for better health.

Make the Decision to:

• Buy and eat only wholesome, healthy foods in modest quantities.
• Find a way to get active, mixing what you like to do with what you can do and commit to doing it daily or as often as possible.
• Learn as much as possible about the most healthy way to live your life. "Knowledge is Power!"

After you have "Made the Decision," everything else will fall into place.

Weight Loss Begins in the Mind

Losing weight is more about how the dieter thinks about food than food itself. Lasting weight loss success involves planning and the right mindset.

Terminating a life long pattern of turning to food for feelings other than hunger is vital for any weight loss plan (lifestyle change) to work. Filling emotional needs with emotional solutions and using food for physical nourishment only, is key to any effective weight loss plan. Seeking comfort, security, love or solace in appropriate ways allows the dieter to manage their food intake intelligently and effectively.

Tips for Successful Weight Loss
The successful dieter plans for success well before starting a weight loss plan. Just as a star student prepares for finals, the dieter who prepares for success before beginning will reap a higher level of achievement. A mind that has been prepared for change is better able to work with that change. Choose a weight loss start date of less than 30 days (not to be confused with procrastination) to begin both physical and mental preparation.

• Eliminate all foods from the household cupboards that are not on the healthy eating list. (A local homeless shelter will make good use of them.) Begin stocking only foods compatible with healthy eating.
• Learn to read food labels and consider purchasing whole, unprocessed foods instead (found mostly on the outside isles of the grocery store.)
• Since water is a staple for every effective weight loss program, plan for a way to have it nearby at all times. You will need to use this water as a replacement if you are a pop drinker.
• Monitor thoughts for negativity or victim mentality. Such thoughts will sabotage success. Take note of the urges to "make yourself feel better by eating" and acknowledge what emotions you are feeling at that time.
• Begin thinking of nurturing things that are not food related that you can do to "make yourself feel better." Some examples may be, walking, riding your bike, talking with a friend, reading, listening to music, etc. Make a list of these things and start implementing these alternatives.
• Pamper the body, mind and spirit with personally meaningful non-food activities or things. Don't forget meditation or prayer. Affirmations also can help you to "change your mind."

You will undoubtedly experience discomfort during this process. Just remember that these steps you are taking will eventually become new habits and the discomfort will subside with practice and time. Just like the cigarette smoker who stops smoking. Eventually, the pain and discomfort subsides as life goes on, only leaner and healthier. 

Eating Well

Eating well isn't just good for your waistline: It's also crucial for your health and the health of your family. One recent study published in the journal Circulation of more than 72,000 women found those who followed a "prudent" diet (high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and poultry) were 28 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 17 percent less likely to die prematurely of all causes. Those who were on a "Western" diet (lots of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, fried foods and sweets) had a 22 percent higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 21 percent higher risk of premature death from all causes.

Healthy Eating Begins at the Grocery Store

Years ago, whenever my Mom would start a new diet, she would clean out her cupboard and refrigerator, put all the "non-diet" foods in a large black garbage bag and give the bag to me!

Well, that's good that she rid her kitchen of undesireable food stuffs, I highly recommend doing that, but when I would look inside this bag I would think, "Why did you even buy this crap?"

So, the moral to this story is, "Healthy eating begins at the grocery store." If you don't buy it, it won't be in your house to tempt you to eat it when you go looking for a satisfying snack.

I must admit a slight bit of disappointment nudges me when I'm looking in my refrigerator or cupboard for a snack and the worst items I can find are nuts (very calorie dense), cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, fresh veggie packs or fresh fruit. But, it keeps me in line and on track.