Stop Programming Yourself for Weight Loss Failure

“If you focus on results you will never change.
But if you focus on change, you’ll get results.” ~ Jack Dixon

That's my favorite fitness quote; it's even on Body & Soul's brochures.

So, are you ready to change?

Do you truly believe you can improve your health and discard fat? If not, you need to change that mindset.

Also, although some of you may find it “airy-fairy” thinking, I honestly believe that no one can have long term weight management success if they hate their body. The messages you send to yourself through negative self-talk become self-perpetuating.

“I hate the way I look”, “I’m as big as a house”, “I can’t believe I ate all that, I’m such a pig”, “My thighs are huge”, “I hate this jiggle under my arms”. If you say, or think, things like that about your body, you need to stop.

Think of the many positive things about your body. Are there particular features that you like? If necessary, could you run from a burning building to save your life? Can you take care of yourself, pick up your kids or grandkids, go dancing if you want?

Your body may not be the exact size you prefer but you are alive, not bedridden, and probably healthier than most. Be grateful.

Think about it. If we tried to run our cars on the same quality of fuel that most of us put in our bodies, they wouldn’t perform at all. And yet, you’re still functioning.

Have you ever tried to basically starve yourself into a certain size? Obviously, it didn't work or you probably wouldn't still be reading this. Declaring war on your body will cause it to fight back. How far would you get if you only put half a gallon of gas in your car? Your body is no different; it won’t perform at its best without adequate, high-quality fuel (nutrition) and proper rest.

Be grateful for your body, treat it well and your chance of success will skyrocket.

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Be Grateful For The Body You Have

I often tell the story of an elderly woman who attended aqua classes at a gym where I worked as a personal trainer. The woman used a cane and moved very slowly and with much effort. Unfortunately for her, the pool happened to be at the opposite end of the building, and yet, multiple times a week this woman showed up for class and slowly made her way back to the locker room and then to the pool.

She could have stayed home and read a book or watched TV. She could have rationalized that just getting to the pool was pretty strenuous and she could get just as much exercise from cleaning or gardening or something. She could have told herself that she was old and had so many physical problems that a few water classes were not going to make much difference. But she didn't.

I think of this woman often when members and clients speak with disgust about their bodies.You may not have the figure of some wafer thin movie star but are you capable of enjoying a walk around your neighborhood? Could you make it down your basement steps if a tornado was coming? Are you strong enough to pick up a baby? Do you breathe without the use of an oxygen tank? Would you be able to get yourself out of a burning building?

If you answered yes to those questions then I suggest that you stop programming your mind with hateful, counterproductive messages about your body. Stop focusing on what you don't have, be grateful for what your body is currently capable of and work toward improving it.

The vast majority of the people reading this are not physically incapable of getting stronger, dropping fat and being healthier. Some may have to start out more slowly than others but you can definitely make improvements if you are willing to make an effort.


Be grateful for what you have now while you work toward what you want.

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