
Most of you who are reading this probably know that fought my weight most of my life. I was never really thin. But I finally understood that THIN doesn’t necessarily mean HEALTHY. And it really is about good health and quality of life. It’s not a vanity issue.
So here’s my best advice to anyone struggling with weight issues like I was:
1) Start today!
Stop putting it off. Stop making excuses.
2) Find your motivation.
For me it was the example I was setting for my son. It was the desire to have another baby. It was the fact that I wanted to grow old with my husband. That was the defining motivation for me.
3) Don’t look at the big picture.
Take it one day at a time. One pound at a time. Looking too far ahead will only discourage you.
4) Move more and eat less.
Burning more calories than you consume is the ONLY way you will lose weight. You have got to get moving. Take it slow but do it.
5) Surround yourself with positive influences.
Rid your home of bad foods. Surround yourself with supportive people who will encourage you. Set yourself up for success!
6) Set small achievable goals and then when you reach them…CELEBRATE!!!
Don’t have a piece of chocolate cake though. Go get a pedicure. Or take a walk with your best friend. Buy a piece of clothing one size down that NOW you can get in to. Do something for you.
7) BELIEVE you are worth it. Because you are!!
I think that last one is one of the hardest. Because as an overweight person I was faced with a lot of rejection. Prejudice against the obese is the last acceptable prejudice left in society. And it’s hard not to buy into the lies we hear all around us. But you’ve got to do it. And then when you are on this side of the struggle you’ll be so glad you did.
You know my motivation t-shirt on the Show was “To finish what I started, for once.” I’ve had so many people tell me they could relate to that slogan. But you know what? I have realized that I will never “finish what I’ve started.” This will be an ongoing journey for me for the rest of my life. So my new slogan is “to continue what I’ve started…forever.”