A winning weight loss attitude does so much to help you stay on track. For me, dieting occurs in the kitchen, with some exercise and in my mind!
If you listen to the experts, they will tell you that eating less and moving more is the key to losing weight. And to a certain degree, this is true.
For me, it’s always worked and I was able to lose weight. However, keeping the weight off has been my struggle.
There is one more key factor, I think, in the weight loss battle – and that is to develop a winning attitude towards losing weight.
Why I Decided to Develop a Winning Weight Loss Attitude.
I have battled with extra weight my entire life. I’ve been on and off diets for long periods of time and have lost 100 pounds three times (and gained it back)
Doing this makes it very hard for me to get motivated again, since I often wonder “why bother, if I will just gain it all back?”
I think I have, finally, discovered the reason why. I didn’t have the right attitude.
In the past, I have lost weight for various reasons, and pretty much in this order:
- to attract guys
- to look better
- to feel better
- to be more healthy
- to be around for my daughter’s life
Notice how the reasons got less superficial and more meaningful as the years progressed? I really thought that the last time I lost weight would be my final time.
It was such a struggle, and I felt so much better after. But life took over again.
One thing that I have discovered is that, the busier I became, the less likely I am to be at a desirable weight.
I always got busy and didn’t take the time to exercise, prepare healthy meals and all the rest of the things that are necessary to be successful at weight loss.
Sometimes life just gives you a good push in the right direction. The turning point for me, this time, has been a visit to see my elderly mother.
Mum is very ill and needs a lot of care. I took over this responsibility for the 9 days that I was visiting. There was a lot of lifting involved, in addition to many other full time care responsibilities.
It was hard and I got very little sleep while I was there and came home totally exhausted. But taking care of her got me thinking about what life would be like for my family if I should need this type of care, with the extra weight that I carry.
Mum is not overweight and her health reasons are outside of her control.
Me carrying a lot of extra weight is fully within my control. Realizing this was a turning point for me.
I came home from my trip with a commitment to losing weight that I don’t think I have ever had. And I discovered something important.
The key, for me at least, to losing weight, is not about cutting down on food and moving more. Yes, those things are necessary.
But, I truly believe that the key to losing weight is about having a mental switch in my mind that gives me a real reason to lose this extra weight for good.
This time, it’s going to be for me. Not for guys, or to look good, or even for my daughter.
I may not end up running marathons, but I do want to live the rest of my life enjoying it. Not making excuses for avoiding things because I am too fat, or because my knees and hips hurt.
When I am my mother’s age, I want to be healthy and fit. And if life takes a turn, and I do need help,
I want the person who is helping me to be able to do it and not have to struggle because they are helping a sick, overweight, woman.
I am adding a blog category to my website for weight loss articles and tips. I’ve never been public about my weight loss struggles and I hope that doing so will help me to be accountable to my readers (and to myself).
I’ll be sharing my struggles and successes with you. I hope that it may inspire you, and it will definitely help me to journal my progress.
What is your reason for losing weight? Is there something going on in your life that can motivate you in the right direction?
Do you have a winning weight loss attitude?
Martha Bruton
Sunday 21st of February 2021
I would love to be inspired to start a journey with you.
monique rougeau
Monday 4th of January 2016
i would like to be confortable in all my clothes
Carol
Monday 4th of January 2016
That is a great aim Monique. And it is a great feeling when it's realized. Carol
Linda
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
WOW Carol. what a beautiful article. I wish you the best of luck with your vision. I am fully convinced you will succeed.
admin
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
Hi Linda. Thanks! It is hard to put it all out there for everyone to see, but I'm doing it for me. I so want to do this and do it right this time. Thanks for your support! Carol
Wyatt
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
I gave up on loosing weight also... perhaps your success will motivate me as well...
admin
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
Hi Wyatt I hear you. I kept going back and forth for years. I'm very determined this time. I just want to enjoy what is left of my life. Kind regards and I hope that I do inspire you. Carol
Jess
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
Wow. Thank you for being brave and sharing such a personal post. I am so excited to hear about your winning weight loss attitude and cannot wait to read about your articles and tips. Weight is something everyone struggles with, and it's really refreshing to hear you talking so openly about it. I'm excited for this new weight loss journey section of your blog!
xoxo Jess
admin
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
Thanks Jess. It is hard to go public about it but I hope it helps to inspire too. Carol