We all know that weight loss is not an easy task, especially these days with junk food everywhere around you, on TV, movies, etc… Sometimes you feel like you just try and try your hardest to lose weight and either you just can’t get the pounds off or you can’t keep the pounds off. But I am here to tell you that it can be done! It is not impossible. It may take you a lot of time to get there but you CAN get there, I promise!
For most people it really is a battle within ourselves that makes it so hard. This internal battle can go on for years! But if you keep at it then you can do it. It’s not just a matter of ”I just need to eat better”. I think most of us really know how to eat better but it is the WHY that gets us each time. Why or Who wants to give up sugar forever. I know I don’t. Who wants to give up homestyle cooking, or all carbs or never eat out again? Again, we know WHAT to do but How do we make ourselves do it?
Well, you have to figure that out yourself but I will give you some ideas to help. American’s today Live to EAT. It’s everywhere and associated with everything. We watch TV with snacks, go to movies with snacks, have company over TO EAT, go to parties TO EAT. We need to learn to change the way we think about food! We need to learn to EAT to LIVE. Constantly ask yourself “Is this food I’m about to put in my body any good for me?” ”Is it going to help my body function better or is it going to hurt me?” Don’t think of foods as “that will go straight to my thighs, but oh well”. Think “this will increase my chance for diabetes or heart disease”. “This might take years off my life”, ”This might kill me so I’m not around to see my kids grow up”. If we looked at EVERY thing we ingest and thought about how it is going to affect my body then maybe, just maybe this will change the way I look at food. It won’t happen overnight but if you play this in your mind each time you eat or drink something then eventually it might stick.
As some of you know I suffer from Crohn’s disease, Lupus and Polymyositis. Talk about a downer…lol. My Crohn’s disease took over my life in the past couple of years. I went from doctor to doctor to try to find someone who will make me feel better. Now my most recent doctor (whom I made listen to everything I had to say) finally found the right combination of medication to help me feel normal again. Just after two days I am already feeling so much better. It’s a humiliating disease and I was embarrassed to go out in public. I literally became a recluse and I almost gave up all together as I thought I would never feel well again. Luckily my kids are so great and I knew I had to keep fighting so I can be a normal mom again. I actually had a doctor tell me last year that this was something I had to deal with and there was nothing that could be done and this was how it was going to be for the rest of my life! Luckily I’m pretty stubborn and fired him and went looking for a doctor who would do something. And she did!
I struggled with weight since I was a teenager and still struggle. It doesn’t come naturally to me especially with my diseases that cause arthritis and extreme muscle soreness. I have to force myself to exercise and in the end I feel better. But before and during exercise it’s not pretty. Struggling with the Crohn’s was very similar. I just couldn’t give up. I had to keep going till I met someone who could help me. With the weight loss I tried everything out there. I was so frustrated I decided to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. And now I know what works for me. I had to change the way I looked at food. It didn’t happen overnight and it will continue to be a process forever. It is something you have to do for the rest of your life. If you really want to lose weight and keep it off you have to change your way of thinking forever! So it’s easier to make small changes at a time but with the thought “I am making this small change for life”. In all my years in school and research, I promise you there is no quick fix that sticks!
Not everyone can do it alone, so find a friend to do it with or hire a trainer. You can also join a gym and get a free consultation with a trainer who can guide you to the exercises you need to do. But if you can afford a trainer then that is a good way to be held accountable. So find what works for you and DON’T GIVE UP! :)
Kristina Crossway
