By now most of us know the basics to healthy weight loss. What has been missing is a way to stay focused on a DAILY basis. Weekly weigh-ins are the reward, but how do you maintain your motivation day after day? I have figured out a way!
At 55 I have been up and down the scales countless times. Today I am on my way back down, 18 pounds so far, and want to share my successful plan with other overweight contenders.
At 40, with 25 years of dieting under my belt, I found myself uncomfortably heavy again. I knew from experience that 'eat this, do not eat that' and calorie/carb/fat gram counting regimens did not work for me over the long term. Once at a comfortable weight I would fall right back into old habits and eating patterns. My best chance at a healthy second half of my life was to make a lifestyle change and develop a way to live it.
There were three things that I needed to try to do for myself everyday - drink water, exercise and eat sensibly. I also needed to address my biggest hurdle, a thirst for beer. I set up a simple 4-week chart with four blocks to fill in each day. At bedtime I would fill in the appropriate blocks. Filling in all four was very gratifying, like getting a 'A' on a test. Whenever I filled in 4-5 perfect days in a row, I was exhilarated, proud and even more motivated. As long as I filled in at least 95 of the 112 blocks each 4-week period, my weekly weigh-ins validated my daily successes. I lost 11 pounds the first four weeks and went on to lose 37 pounds.
Now why, if I found the key to healthy weight loss 15 years ago, am I repeating the effort now? That is a tough question with a hard to admit answer. I have deep-rooted self-esteem issues that creep in over time and undermine all my best efforts. Being aware of these wellness detractors and knowing that I do deserve to feel and look better, I have learned that even when I reach a comfortable weight I need to continue charting for maintenance and self-worth.
In January 2007 I sent a copy of the chart to my sister. Now 58 pounds lighter, she is very happy with her progress and motivated to lose another 20 before settling into a maintenance plan. I have organized and updated the information, creating an easy to follow packet of charts, explanations and examples. It is available on my website. I strongly believe that I can help others lose weight successfully and develop their own healthy lifestyles. I also encourage those who purchase the packet to share it. I ask in return testimonials for the website, the inevitable stories of success that the DEWS plan has to offer. |
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