 As the new year rapidly approaches, many of us are busy writing out our resolutions and focusing in on the areas of our lives that we would like to make improvements in. Whether we're looking to part ways with bad habits, people, relationships, start new careers or finally lose the unwanted 20 - 30 pounds that's been hanging around for the last several years, we've all got something we are looking forward to this new year. Sadly, our optimism towards the much needed change is often overshadowed by disappointment as it usually fizzles out around the second or third month of the year. This phenomenon is especially true when it comes to weight loss resolutions. In the month of January we see gyms, health clubs and fitness centers alike overflowing with the casual new year's "resolution-ists" who are determined to make this their year. But lo and behold by the end of February or March there is a rapid decline. The question that begs asking then is why is it so difficult for people to make a weight loss resolution and make it stick? To answer this question we need to examine what makes a successful resolution. The anatomy of a successful resolution begins with having vision and the proper mindset. Vision is your ability to see beyond what you can behold with your natural eyes. Vision requires faith. You must be able to see your preferable future even before it becomes a reality. In fact, it is this ability to visualize that fuels the transmutation of our thoughts into their material counterparts. Napoleon Hill best summed up this principle in his book "Think & Grow Rich" when he said that "Success comes to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious." In other words, success begins in the mind. In order to be successful at losing those unwanted pounds this new year you must visualize yourself leaner and believe that it is possible for you. Then and only then will it become a real and attainable goal for you. The next step in making your weight loss resolution stick once for all is to properly ascertain the risks and or sacrifices required to accomplish your goal. One of the main reasons why so many weight loss efforts fail is that many people grossly underestimate the amount of work and sacrifice that goes into a successful weight loss campaign. You see, most people start out fine but loose steam along the way when things don't happen as quickly as they would like. They assumed that after "eating right" for a month or two or adding in extra hours of cardio for a few sessions that the weight will just melt away. Many are discouraged after things don't exactly go their way and lose heart along the journey much to their own dismay. They quit not realizing that success usually comes just one step beyond the point which defeat overtakes them. What this means to you is that you should keep on keeping on no matter how hard the going may be. Don't be fooled. It will require an extraordinary amount of effort and sacrifice to reach your weight loss goal. For some this could mean spending extra hours in the gym, proper meal planning and prep, sticking to a prescribed meal plan, or even the avoidance of people and/or situations that could tempt you to overeat. Whatever your vice is, first identify it then write down your plan of attack so that it becomes real to you. This way you can discern just how much you will have to put into your plan to make it work. This includes but is not limited to setting realistic goals for yourself. If you know that you can only conceivably exercise 2 days per week because of scheduling or other obligations it is unrealistic to think that you will lose 15 -20 pounds in a month. That is not to say that it is impossible, but it is improbable. Set goals and compartmentalize them into bite sized nuggets. This does wonders for you spirit and psychological development because each time you accomplish a small goal you give yourself a boost of confidence that you can use to reach the next goal. Eventually, the accomplishment of the little bite sized goals turn into the accomplishment of the greater goal. After you have made it up in your mind that you will lose weight and have properly ascertained the risks the next thing you must do in your plan of attack is reconnaissance. You must gather as much information as you can from reliable sources as to how you go about losing weight. So many people fail at weight loss become they honestly do not know how. They are either uninformed, under-informed or misinformed. You can have as much will power and dedication as anyone can muster and still fail without having the proper information. You must learn and understand how to exercise and eat properly to support your wight loss goals. I personally recommend enlisting the help of a professional trainer and/or nutrition consultant to shed some light in this area. If you cannot afford a trainer or a nutritionist there is still no excuse! There is a ton of information available to you through books, blogs, and other online resources. However, I caution that you must sift through the information you find with a fine toothed comb because everyone has got an opinion these days and not everyone is based in solid fundamentals and principles. So be sure you exercise discernment when it comes to selecting what information right for you. The final step in the process of ensuring your weight loss resolution sticks once for all is to put your money where your mouth is. That is to say that you've got to press forward with dogged determination. Now that you've made the resolution (by your own confession) you must be prepared to see it through. This means having a "never say die" attitude. You know that it will be a tough journey so make it up in your mind today that "no matter how I feel or what I see I will not, I cannot quit!" Quitting is not an option. We all know that "faith without works is dead". Now it's your time to show your faith by your works. Though a long and arduous journey, you are all the better for having undertaken it. I assure you that once you lose the weight you'll not only feel better but you'll also receive a revitalized confidence in yourself that will carry over into every area of your life. Good luck! |
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