If you’re overweight, you want to lose weight not only so you’ll be more attractive, but also so that you’ll be healthier and will have more energy. However, often dieters start a new weight loss program, and then give it up. They haven’t taken the time to ask themselves whether they’re ready to make changes in their life.
In my profession as a nutritionist, I see many people who say they want to lose weight, but haven’t considered exactly what the process will involve.
If you can answer YES to the following five questions, you may indeed be ready to lose weight.
1. Are you willing to change your diet? To lose weight, you’ll need to eat a healthy diet, which includes lots of fruits and vegetables, and lean meat and fish. This means changes in the way you shop, and in the way you prepare food and in mealtimes.
2. Are you ready to create a fitness program for yourself? In addition to eating healthily, you’ll need to develop a gentle workout. Initially, don’t aim for anything too strenuous. A short daily walk gets you started.
3. Can you commit to keeping a food journal, so that you know exactly what you’re eating? It’s easy to develop unconscious habits in what you consume each day. Perhaps you eat very little, but even that little adds pounds, if you’re eating a lot of sugary and fatty foods. You need to be willing to track each meal, and snack.
4. Are you ready to have fun? Chances are that over the years you’ve forgotten to make time to do the things you used to love to do. Perhaps you enjoyed playing tennis, or swimming each day. But a busy work schedule meant that you no longer took the time. Decide now that you’ll take a few hours every week, just for yourself, to do the things you love to do.
5. Can you commit to changing your image of yourself? We all carry around an image of who we are. To lose weight, you need to change your mental image to that of a slim, healthy person. Being attractive can be stressful — your expectations go up. If you’re not yet ready for that, be aware of this.
Some people expect that their lives will change when they lose weight. They’re surprised when the people around them don’t like the slim person they’ve become. When Oprah lost weight a few years ago, many viewers couldn’t relate to her slim, vital persona.
So, how did you go? What were your answers to our quiz? Perhaps you’re reassured, and you know that you are now ready to lose weight. On the other hand, perhaps your answers indicate that you have a little more thinking to do.
