Chapter II. A Simple Matter Of Motivation

Take some time to think about this and you will find your number one  motivation that will keep you dedicated until you achieve your goal.

What do you hope to get out of this program? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it simply because it was on your New Year's resolution list to achieve? 

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Is it for a party you’ll be attending? Is it for a holiday? A wedding? A honeymoon?

Is it to fit into a new slinky little outfit you want to buy?

Is it because you want to look hot on the beach?

These days it seems that you can’t pick up a magazine or change the TV channel without seeing an emaciated, skinny teenager touted as being the image we should all aspire to.

The media images we are fed are false ideals, this is certainly not how regular people look neither should we be forced into believing we should and can achieve it. 

We are all different and the world is a richer place for it.  Just because we don’t fit into that template of what is deemed beautiful by an industry obsessed with perfection does not mean that we are incapable of ourselves being beautiful and looking our best.

If you are carrying excess weight, losing some of that weight will peel back the layers and reveal your true physical beauty lying hidden beneath.  You will unearth your beauty like chiselling away at a magnificent Michelangelo sculpture, kilo by kilo. 

You are your own masterpiece. Just remember, you can and will look great.

So let’s get back to the reason why you want to lose the weight.  Sure you want to look great, that’s a given but why else?

Whatever the reason, it has to be one based on something more impacting then just wanting to lose a few pounds because of an event or for the sake of fitting into something. 

Sometimes we lose weight for the wrong reasons.  Sometimes we have the misfortune of being on the wrong diets and are given incorrect information vital to our weight loss success.

You need a more compelling reason to stick with your program because let’s face it, times get difficult when you’re tired, hungry, depressed or bored and you see the chocolate cake staring back at you screaming your name.  

Every cell in your body is telling you to eat the cake, every fibre of your being is trying to sway you from your purpose.  Tell me, at this point, do you have a strong enough reason to prevent you from eating that cake? 

Probably not, the draw of the cake is far stronger than the appeal of the reunion or the size 10 outfit and let me tell you why. 

It’s because the cake is right there.  The reality is right there in front of you in plain sight and everything else, all of your weight loss goals, the reunion, the outfit, the - fill in the blank goal becomes just a faint whisper in the background by comparison.

Why?  Because you thought you could suppress all of those years of conditioning in one week.  Your body is stronger than you think.  That’s not to say that you can’t lose weight, you absolutely can, you just have to work with your body and not against it.

No doubt a big reason why you want to lose weight is linked to your physical appearance.  This scratches far below the surface than just wanting to lose weight to fit into something or simply hating the way your thighs look.

Excess weight can impact on self esteem.  No one wants to be obese because it has so many negative connotations in our society. 

Because we believe we are not attractive and appealing to others can make us rethink our own self worth and value.  This can lead to social and emotional problems and distort the way we perceive ourselves as well as how we interact with others.

Now, think of a worthwhile purpose to lose the weight if you haven’t already.

Something like:

* I want to lose weight because I want to gain a healthy respect for my body

* I want to lose weight because I want to live longer for my family

* I want to lose weight because I want to enjoy life more by doing the things that my weight restricts me from doing

* I want to lose weight because I want to feel great about myself and my appearance

* I want to lose weight because I want to travel and enjoy all that life has to offer me

* I want to lose weight to have the strength and energy I need to enjoy life like having the energy to play with my children

* I want to lose weight so that I can be an active participant in my own life and not just a spectator

Now it’s your turn.  Something compelling.  Something deeper than your usual New Year weight loss resolution.  Something that will keep you grounded and anchored to your purpose.  That way the lure of the cake is no match for wanting to watch your loved ones grow up around you, it won’t even come close.

Take your time and think of something that is truly worthy of you and you will stick with it like glue.

So why do I think you should lose weight? Because you are worth it and you deserve to have a full and truly wonderful life and having the energy to fulfill that is a requirement. 

So get to it, think of your compelling purpose.  Think of a dozen, the more the better. Once you have a list of compelling reasons why you want to lose weight, write them down and look at them every day.

Keep a copy of them on your desk at work, in the drawer of your bedside table, in your car glove box and in the bathroom. Every time you have a spare minute, take a moment to re-focus and remind yourself why you are doing all this.

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