Healthy B.P.M.

Each decision you make about your well-being should make you feel good. Your decisions should motivate you to keep building on each little success. While we’re on the subject; what is motivation and what does it mean to, and for you. Alright Fitbuddies reflection time.

How you would define motivation? Based on your definition how do you feel, what do you think, and how do you act when motivated? One more, what drives you to action?
If you’re scratching your head you may need a wee bit more reflection time. Even if weight loss isn’t your goal I’m sure you have a goal or dream on your wish list.

However in regards to weight loss one of the first things to do is make peace with your weight. Now hold on, I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive for a healthy weight. Being overfat is detrimental to your health. And now you’re asking, how on earth is that motivating? Feeling peaceful about your weight implies that you accept yourself as you are but you choose to make healthy changes. Wanting to change your weight requires some confidence. That’s the kind of mindset that motivates you to do whatever it takes to bring about the desired result. Along the way you learn to stop condemning yourself for the weight that you are. You no longer blame the scales, Mickey D’s and everyone and everything you feel has contributed to what you now weigh. Motivation allows a small sense of urgency but not to the point of obsession.

I know I said there’s was only one more question, but humor me. Here’s another.
What will you have to let go in order to make way for the change? How much will the change cost you, and not necessarily monetarily. Check out this example.

Once upon a time Gretchen went into the candy store she use to hang out in when she was younger. She was an attractive young woman but had gained weight over the years. Gretchen noticed that the storeowner was the same guy she used to buy candy from years ago. She approached the storeowner and said, “You don’t remember me do, you Mr. Brown? It’s Gretchen I used to come here 20 years ago.”

“Gretchen? I remember you.” he replied “What on earth has happened to you? Boy have you let yourself go!” You can imagine what she felt like as she left the shop. A cruel comment like that would fuel the fire for anyone to start losing weight. And it did in Gretchen.

She had a clear vision of what she would look like if she lost weight. She was also aware of the steps that she would have to take, like diet and exercise plans. However, Gretchen decided not to change. She had no real motivation to change. The cost of changing was greater than the desire to change. Gretchen loved food, enjoyed socializing and going out. The last thing she wanted to do after a hard day’s work was work out in a gym and eat a lettuce leaf for dinner. In addition relaxing at home with a bottle of chardonnay was her special treat. She felt pressure to be thin and had she gone ahead with a healthy eating and weight loss plan she may have lost weight but would she be happy? Gretchen was peaceful with her weight but was unwilling to change she hadn’t found the motivating factor. Is this good or bad? It’s neither, it’s a starting point.