I believe you are where you are in life because of the decisions and choices you make and because you want to be there. That sounds really tough and harsh. How can a woman in an abusive relationship WANT to be there? How can a person in a horrible job WANT to be there? Easy. It's more painful for them to change their situation so they stay where they are.
Why do people do anything and everything? I think it's to either avoid pain or to gain pleasure. People don't change because they link so much PAIN to change, or at least not enough pleasure. There was a time when my weight loss was motivated by all the wrong things; a contest, a class reunion, everything except something that was lasting and significant. Look at the popular TV show, "The Biggest Loser," for example. A huge number of winners and runners-up IMMEDIATELY gained much of their weight back right after the finale aired. Why? Because their motivation was to win $250,000. Not a terrible motivation, for sure, but clearly not one that was meant to be lasting.
Here are my 7 steps to change:
- DECIDE to change. Say enough is enough and decide that you have to change RIGHT NOW. You can't commit to ANYTHING unless you decide to. In deciding to change you must be crystal clear on WHY you want to change. Outside motivators like a contest or a reunion don't count. Those are short term goals that will lead to short term success. Your motivation to change must come from within you and it must be deep and profound.
- DECIDE what you want to change to. It's not enough to say you want to change. You have to go from one thing to something else. If you want to stop smoking, what will you do in its place? If you want to stop eating, what will you do instead? My weight loss goals are clear.
- IMAGINE what you will look like once you've changed. How will you feel? How will you speak? How will those around you view you?
- PLAN your change. Create a plan of action to change your life. Find someone who's achieved the results you want to achieve and study how they did it. Read as much as you can on the area you want to change and/or what you want to change into.
- TAKE ACTION. NOW. Once you've decided, imagined, and planned, don't leave the site of the goal setting without taking some sort action toward that goal immediately. Buy a pair of running shoes. Buy a nicotine patch. Throw out your beer or liquor. Make a phone call to tell someone you love them. WHATEVER. But do something right away.
- TELL SOMEBODY. People can keep you honest. If you tell someone you want to quit smoking, they'll hold you accountable.
- COMMIT to CANI. CANI is a principle I learned from Tony Robbins years ago that stands for Constant And Neverending Improvement. You must do something every day to help you reach your goals and improve the quality of your life. It doesn't have to be HUGE, you just have to commit to improvement daily.
Remember, change is automatic; progress is not. It takes time. You can't be discouraged if you're not seeing immediate change or if changes slows with time. As long as you're moving in the right direction, you're winning.
Drumroll please...today's weight is:
