5 Reasons Why I’m Starting My Weight-Loss Journey Slow. (And Why You Might Want to Join Me)

by | Apr 10, 2013 | General, Lessons, MyWhy, Preparation

Let me start by saying that if you’re reading this post, you are an amazing person.  I’m driven by supportive people and knowing that you’re reading this pushes me to greater things.

I’ve always been a bigger kid.  I partly chalk that up to genetics, but I’m smart enough to not make genetics an excuse to stay big my whole life.  I’ve seen countless stories of people bigger than me who have taken control of their lives and transformed their body in as little as 1 to 2 years!

As I’ve said in my videos, this is about the millionth time I’ve started a weight-loss journey.  But the struggle to be healthy is worth it in my mind.  I know from past experience that when I’m eating clean and exercising my whole body and life responds in a positive way.  I can think clearer, my work is more productive and I’m a generally happier person.

Each time I’ve started a challenge, or journey I’ve gone in with guns blazing.  I’m the type of person that likes to amass a TON (pun intended) of information so that I’m well informed – which translates into me buying all the best powders, supplements, gym memberships etc… and going from couch potato to elite athlete (in my mind) overnight!

Up to this point, that strategy has always led to failure.

Every. Single. Time.

I’m not one to accept failure.  I want to experience life to the fullest.  This means I needed a new strategy.

Again I went to the internet (specifically Youtube) and watched all the experts with their plans and tips and decided that what I needed to do was build a solid foundation.  One step at a time.  I even saw this picture on Facebook and it kind of rang the bell for me again.  No matter how slow I move, I’m moving faster than the person who’s not moving at all!

So here are my 5 reasons for starting slow.  People have been wondering why I don’t just jump right in.  This is why.

REASON #1:  I’ve Failed Before – I Need a New Plan
As I stated previously, I needed a new plan.  A new angle of attack.  I know that our bodies respond to being pushed.  The human body is incredibly adaptive – meaning, when we force it to do something new it responds accordingly.

So I’ve decided to throw my body a curve ball.  Instead of acting like an elite athlete, I’m going to act like me – but change one thing at a time.

I’m going to trick my body into re-creating itself.

But don’t tell my body that…I want it to be a surprise!

REASON #2:  To Build a Solid Foundation
If you look at any building on earth, the foundation that supports it must be big enough to support the height and weight of the building.  If you only want to build a building that’s 10feet high, then the base doesn’t need to be very big.  But if you want to build the world’s tallest structure – you’re going to need a big base.

I want to climb high.  The plans I have for my life include soaring to heights not reached by many people.

Radical claim?  Perhaps.  But I’d rather be radical and reach half way, then mediocre and never leave the ground.

To reach new heights, my foundation MUST be solid.  My body MUST be able to handle the stresses I’m going to put it through.  And in order to be sure that these foundational things stick, I’m taking the time to build a solid foundation.

REASON #3:  To Build Momentum
There’s nothing worse than starting a challenge to change your life and the second day is interrupted with a huge failure.  Obstacles are part of the challenge; this I know.  But just when I’d get going and hit a rhythm in my program, something would always come along to throw me off.  And because I was doing too much, too fast…I’d fail.

This time I want to build solid momentum.  By introducing only 1 item per week for the first 12 weeks, I’m giving myself the chance not only to keep momentum in the early stages, but I’m also able to continue building momentum in the later stages.

I’ll call it the big MO….momentum can push you past failure and into that glorious realm of achievement.

I WILL create MOMENTUM!!!!

REASON #4:  To Keep Things Simple
My personal opinion is that the weight loss industry preys on the foolish and naive.  The absolute overload of information is enough to make a person’s head spin.  “Drink Whey Protein…but make sure it’s Whey Protein ISOLATE…and make sure it’s HYDROLYZED Whey Protein Isolate…but not made from factories in the eastern hemisphere…make sure it’s taken from cows in Alberta…on Thursdays…in June…from a farmer wearing a red hat…”  And on and on and on goes the silliness!!!

There’s a guy online who’s videos I LOVE to watch.  He is by far one of the most solid guys out there for health information when it comes to transforming your body.  His name is Scooby.  You can find his website here.  He has a phrase that I absolutely love, that boils everything down to it’s simplest form.

Eat less.  Move more.  Drink lots of water!

I’m starting slow this time because I need to remind myself to keep things simple!

REASON #5:  To Create Something Lasting
I didn’t gain all my weight overnight.  I’ve gained about 7.5 pounds per year over the past 13 and a half years.  Do you realize what that amounts to?  It amounts to eating only 71 extra calories per day, every day, for 13 and a half years.  Small things add up!

That’s an extra half a can of coke each day.
That’s an extra half a McDonald’s hash brown each day.
That’s cream in your coffee each day instead of milk.

You get the point.  Small things over time add up to big things!

So I’ve decided to create lasting change by making small adjustments at first and building on the success of each week!  This way, I can create something lasting.  Something that will carry me to those new heights I was talking about.

You may be thinking about starting a challenge of your own.  I think you should!  You may not have to lose 100lbs.  You may only have 5 pounds to lose.  You might have 20.  It doesn’t matter how much you have to lose…the important thing is to get started.

Start with something.

Start slow.

Eat less.

Move more.

Live longer.

That’s my plan.

 

 

photo credit: .bobby via photopin cc

3 Keys to Motivating Yourself to Lose Weight

by | Jul 5, 2011 | General, Lessons, Older Posts, Preparation

There has been a lot of things changing around me in the past little while.  Not just with losing weight but life in general.  Things seem to be getting ‘faster’ which is a good thing!  In the midst of it I’m taking on this life change to be a healthier, more fit person.  In the past it’s been difficult for me to stay motivated so I’ve come up with a few things that are helping me stick with it this time.  These key motivators aren’t new by any stretch of the imagination.  But keeping these 3 things in front of me each day are helping me re-shape my life.

Visualize what you want to look like when you reach your goal.

I’ve been doing a LOT of reading on the subject of visualization and imagination.  I’m naturally a ‘dreamer’ which means getting a picture in my head of something I want isn’t difficult for me.  You may have to work at it, but pictures just pop in my head!  But using those pictures and images are a different story.

I use to think that what I saw in my mind was just fanciful thinking; when in reality the pictures I see can really help speed up weight loss.  In particular I was reading an excerpt from a book by Maxwell Maltz who is the author of PSCYHO CYBERNETICS.  Maltz is a plastic surgeon and expert on self image psychology. In a nutshell, he has found that our brains can’t distinguish between what is real or what is imagined.  This means that if I hold an image of myself in my mind, my brain begins thinking that’s what I’m supposed to do!  Athletes have been using visualization for decades, but the impact this could have on your weight-loss success is huge! (pardon the pun!) Currently, I’m picturing what I’ll look like when I lose my weight, but I’m also visualizing the activities I’ll be doing – the emotions I’ll feel – the sense of accomplishment – and by doing this, my brain can’t tell that it’s not real…it just begins directing the body to that end!

To be honest, this is all new for me.  But I’m convinced that a powerful tool like visualization will help me (and you!) stay motivated to lose the weight.

Recall the reason ‘why’

The second key is, the reason why.  Why do I want to lose weight.  I can guarantee that there are more than a couple reasons for every person to be fit and healthy.  The obvious ones are physical, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually we all have reasons for getting to a healthy weight and being as fit as we can!

I look at my family and see three girls I have to walk down the aisle.  I see a wife that deserves a husband that is strong and able to help her feel secure.  I see a family that wants the best for me and I see colleagues who will benefit from me being in the best shape of my life.  I see many, many things!  My reasons why are very long.  Make a list, review regularly and continue to push towards why you want to drop the weight.

Pushing past your comfort zone.

Comfort zones kill people.  As a creative person, If I continually stay in a place of comfort, I never end up realizing what ‘could’ be.  I’m not the most curious person in the world, but at the end of my life I want to know that I achieved everything possible for me, with every opportunity I’m given.  Not everyone wants to be aggressive with their life goals, but I think everyone should be looking to push out of their comfort zones.

Research tells us that the body is VERY adaptive.  Workout routines can reach plateaus within a month.  Pressure put on the body can be accommodated.  This means that to really succeed with my weight loss goals I’ll need to be pushing myself out of comfort zones as long as I can.  This may mean more intensity in my workouts, less or different foods at different times or it could just mean altering the time I work out so I can always keep my body guessing.

I don’t mind being comfortable for a time, but I know that I’m only there to rest.  And then I’ll need to move on.

Succeeding Away from Home

by | Jul 3, 2011 | General, Lessons, Older Posts, Preparation

For the next 5 days I’m going to be away from home and away from the environment that will really help me succeed in losing weight.  It’s kind of crazy to start a brand new fitness/nutrition plan when you’re away from home but I think I’m doing a few things that will help me reach my goal for the week.

I brought my own food.  I know this may be a little hard core, but the camp I’m at this week will not be serving the most health-conscious meals.  I’ve looked at the menu now that I’m here and the food choices aren’t actually all that bad.  But just in case there’s a few meals i’m not going to be able to eat I brought some staples with me.  Chicken, oatmeal, fruit, frozen veggies and protein powder.

I created my own routine.  I have the great opportunity to be able to have some ‘down time’ during the days, so knowing that my afternoons and evenings are going to be a little hectic, I’m able to plan my activities around that schedule.  Exercise followed by a walk in the mornings are going to ensure that I don’t get caught in the afternoon/evening without having moved my body during the day.  In fact, this schedule is a lot slower than my normal schedule, so maybe this is a great week to start!

I kept my support system in place. (Despite being away from routine!)  In the past I’ve found it very easy to make excuses when I’ve been away for any period of time.  Whether it was work related or family vacation – in the past I’ve been quick to point out that I’ll be ‘taking a few days off’.  But life doesn’t stop just because my routine is different.  So I’ve kept my promises to myself and my support team and they know that i’ll be checking in with them daily for accountability.

This is going to be a great week in every way.  Spiritually, mentally and physically. What’s keeping you from getting started?

 

photo credit: Dallas1200am via photopin cc