1 pound at a time

   I have talked to many people that say they want to lose 10, 20, 30, 40  or even 50 pounds and get discouraged when the weight doesn't come off as fast as they would like.  This is really probably the number one reason people yo yo or even give up on weight lose.  The key is to make small goals and remember to take baby steps.  Losing 20 pounds can feel like a daunting task if you keep thinking of that big number.  Brake it down.  If you are struggling and don't have time to really put 100% of your time and effort into it (and even if you do) there is a solution.  Instead of thinking "I have -20 lbs to go, I have -20 lbs to go....... I will never get there!!!" I want you to think of it this way.  I need to lose 1 lb this week.  If you weigh everyday, you get on the scale and see you are down .2 on Monday say "YAY,  I'm on my way!!".  When you get to -.6 on Wednesday say "Only .4 to go!!  I CAN DO THIS!!!".  When you get to -1 on Friday say "YES!!!!!!".  Then get ready to do it again the next week!  If you weigh once a week be excited about the -1 on Fridays.  YOU ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
     After my 3rd child was born I was ready to lose weight.  I started my workouts which was walking at a 3 on the treadmill.  I started eating better and watching my calories.  I had a very small calendar that I had set up in front of my treadmill.  I had written my current weight on the first Friday and 1 lb less on the next Friday, 1 lb less than that on the next Friday and so on for the first 2 months.  These were my goals.  I weighed myself everyday and kept myself on track to meat that -1 lb goal every week.  Now 1 lbs isn't alot when you think about the fact that I needed to lose 30 lbs but it was a goal I could reach and broken down to something I could achieve.  As the weeks went on every Friday I would be proud that I met my 1 lb goal and move on.  Sometimes I would lose 1.5 or 2 lbs and the lose would add up and I would adjust my goal weights for the weeks ahead.  Before I knew it I was able to up my workout and burn more calories each time.  The time had gone by and my weight had got to the place I was when I got married. It didn't happen over night but I did happen!  So I kept it up and was able to lose 20 more pounds, one pound at a time, one week at a time.  Too many times we want to see results NOW!   Weight lose doesn't work that way, it takes time, dedication and work.   And if you think about it everything worth having or achieving is that way.  Line upon line and precept on precept.  You don't decide to have a college degree and BAM! the next week or even month you have it.  You don't plan to win a championship and BAM! the next week or even year you get the ring.  You don't even plant a garden and BAM the next month with no effort at all you have food on the table.  NOPE, nothing really works  like that.
Now I have had 7 kids and I can guarantee you I have gained at least 50 lbs each time. Every time I have started my weight lose journey the same way.  Baby step goals,  hard work, small achievements and determination. 
    Sometimes we see other people and think "Oh, they are lucky they didn't even have to work and the weight fell right off."  I will guarantee you that almost without fail they have worked hard to get where they are and we just see the end result without realizing or acknowledging their effort.  Sometimes we see thin people and assume they are just lucky to be thin, not so. I have learned, most the time, they are working harder than you think.  It is hard work for everyone!  It takes time for EVERYONE!!!  There is no healthy, fix it quick product that does all the work for you or cuts the time or effort in half.  There is no 14 day diet, 2 week workout or 5 "fat blasting moves" that will do all the work for you and have you come out looking like the lady on the magazine cover.  They all take effort.  By the way NO ONE looks like the lady or man on the magazine cover.... not even the person the picture is taken of.  But that is for a different day.   Now, with that said, there is also no better feeling than knowing you put the time and effort out and reached your gaol.  You will know YOU did it!  and You CAN DO IT.
  We are getting ready to make some new goals this week.  So, in preparation for the new goals this week get a calendar, paper, or anything and write your weight on it.  Put it somewhere that you will see it everyday and think about your goal.  I keep mine by my scale in the bathroom now but I think I am going to put it back by my bike or treadmill.    Write down your weight today.  On the first Friday put what your weight would be with -1lb.  That is your first goal.  On the next Friday put what your weight would be with -1 lb more.  Each day that you weigh don't think "Man, I still have 20 more pounds to go :( ".  I want you to only think about getting to the next number on your calendar.  If you don't get to the number this week, no worries, keep trying.  You will!  It does take hard work and it will continue to take work to stay where you want to be.  That is just the way life works.  But, it is worth the effort to have the healthy body and life you will when you get there.  You can do it, I know you can.