I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself saying:
- I’ll start tomorrow…
- I’ll start on Monday…
- I’ll start after the holidays…
- I’ll start January 2nd…
- I’ll start the day after my birthday…
- I’ll start when my work load isn’t so heavy…
…the list of false starts could go on and on. When it comes to starting or in my case, restarting my weight loss journey getting started is the hardest part.
Here’s the thing, weight loss success and results don’t happen on intentions alone. Intentions must be followed by ACTION! Just like a body at rest stays at rest, a body in motion stays in motion. Once you take the first step the others get easier to take.
So, when all the planning, preparing and “getting ready to start” is all said and done, how do you kick-start yourself into action? So glad you asked. The following tips are sure to not only get you started, but keep you going!
Do What’s Doable For You
What is YOUR path of least resistance? What can you do that is easy, fun or enjoyable to do?
- Do you like to walk? Start there!
- Is cooking your thing? Start there!
- Do you enjoy dancing? Start there, and bust a move!
The point here is to start with what’s easiest and most doable for you to do. Once you get started…as Chaka Khan would sing…”it’s hard to stop”…and that’s the goal, right!?
Just For Today
Narrow your focus. Instead of overwhelming yourself with all the things you have to do to “lose weight”, how many days you have to keep this up, what you can and cannot eat, etc. etc., think about what you have to do, just for today. Anyone can be successful in executing a plan or hitting a target, just for today. Once you’ve conquered today, tomorrow do the same thing…but do it just for today!
Ritualize It
Successful weight loss results from small changes over time. Changing the things you do until they become a habit. Establishing new routines and new habits results from practice. You can’t change everything all at once, but you can identify the things you want to change and script out a process for those changes. Then you can make it a daily ritual until it’s just something you do without thinking about it. That’s how habits are born!
Do One Thing At A Time
Years and years of bad or unhealthy habits cannot be changed all at once or over night. Sustainable change happens one habit at a time. Make a list of all the habits you want to change and then pick just one to focus on.
What’s one thing you can start with that will have the biggest impact on your weight loss journey? Once you’ve identified it, start there and keep working on that one thing until it’s a habit that’s deeply ingrained before moving to the next habit.
It takes energy to rev your engine, but once it’s revved, once you get started, it’s easier to keep moving and that’s the ultimate goal! So what are you waiting for. Ladies (and gentlemen), start your engines…let’s GO!!!
Your Turn To Share
Share something you’ve done that has helped you to get started on your weight loss journey.
Amaia - You Made My Day says
Hello Stacey, you look wonderful on that picture, what a change! Congrats for doing it, and you are right, a year from now we’ll all be happy we started ‘that thing’ that will make our life better.
I started a new sport program a month ago and I am sure that in a few more months I’ll be proud of myself!
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Lisa says
This is SO me! I am known for my ‘tomorrow’ or ‘after’ and especially the notion that things have to start on a particular day (i.e. Monday, beginning of the week, beginning of the month, beginning of the year, the 1st, etc.). One day at a time is a motto that shouldn’t only apply to folks in ‘the program (AA). It makes sense for just about anything. Now. If I could just remember that! LOL Great post.
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Keisha says
I did this YESTERDAY. Actually put a calendar reminder in for NEXT week, telling myself to start my diet program. Sigh. The games we play. I love the title of the blog post. It reminds me of the TRUTH!