This week I have accomplished losing about three pounds. It is not what I had hoped for, but then again my expectations are somewhat unrealistic and I realize that. It is recommended that you lose weight on the average of 1 to 2 pounds a week. The fact that I am disappointed at a 3-pound weight loss is pointless, so I am trying to be happy with it.
My problem is that I want it to happen more quickly, as I am sure that everyone does. I get impatient if it does not, but I know that I should not. I just have to remind myself to focus and take one week at a time. I have to keep my spirits up and try not to get discouraged and give up. To be consistent is the key. To have the strength to continue day after day is important and sometimes I get sidetracked or lose willpower. What will motivate me to keep on going? My thing that I do is find something that I really want to wear in a catalog. I want to look good in it so I keep this picture around. This reminds me to keep going and not to give up. It does help me. I try to read encouraging stories of weight loss as well. My attitude is immediately readjusted and my thoughts turn to, “If she can do it, so can I.”
Whatever motivates you into sticking with your diet plan is what you have to go with. Maybe you are losing weight totally for health reasons. I know someone who recently confessed to me that she has been walking a couple of miles every day. She was frightened at her recent doctor’s visit when he told her that she must lose weight due to her health being in jeopardy. She quickly took action due to fear. This is not the most comfortable feeling, but it motivated her and that is what matters. She has lost a great deal of weight in just two weeks alone. She has lost so much weight, in fact, that her pants fell right off of her. (This is a true story. We all had a good laugh, including her!)
You did not gain all that weight overnight, therefore, it will not disappear overnight either. As much as we pray it will happen, or wish it would happen, it cannot be done. Set your sights on the prize, your health. Try to have the attitude that, “This is not a diet, but a lifestyle readjustment.” In time, with patience and willpower, you will lose that weight. Just put one foot in front of the other and march on.
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.