The first secret to losing weight is 2 words: Lifestyle Change

Becoming Overweight is a Life's Journey

Like most overweight people out there, I arrived at my heaviest weight (256 lbs) over a life’s journey. I would get so frustrated with not being able to lose the weight quickly, I would go eat some ‘comfort food’.

When we are in a negative circumstance, whether it is weight, finances, a relationship or a skinned knee, it is human nature to want a quick fix.

• “I want to lose just 50 pounds by next month’s beach trip.”
• “I want a couple thousand to catch up on my bills now.”
• “I want the pain from my owie to stop now.”

If we write these desires down on paper, it is easier to see how immature our expectations can be.

When I was at my top weight, I wanted to lose a little more than 100 pounds, so I’d be down to 150. I had lost weight several years ago and gotten down to 150 and was able to maintain it for almost 2 years, so figured this was reasonable.

The hugest challenge with my weight loss goal was that it seemed so very far away. I couldn’t see the end in sight and I didn’t know how I could maintain a “diet” (ewww) long enough to get there.

Everybody knows how horrible it is being on a diet. You get a plate with 3 carrot sticks, some celery and an anemic skinless chicken breast you get to choke down with your Spring water.

Well, that’s what it felt like to me.

This is where my Lifestyle Changed

I started taking Limu Plus, a brown seaweed drink, and VitaOne, a supplement multi pack.

• I began feeling better.
• I was well rested and energetic.
• I felt I had plenty of get-up-and-go to care for my family and get my other obligations accomplished.
• I also was having fewer insane food cravings.

I learned an important fact.

By taking high quality nutritional supplements, I was feeling well and my appetite was normalizing. By focusing on the most important lifestyle change of improving the quality of what went into my mouth, my body was getting the nutrition it needed and I was no longer in a nutritional deficit.

I slowly began to lose weight.

Life Happens, Lifestyle Changes Increase

During this time, my sister was diagnosed with liver failure caused by poor diet (not alcohol). She also had lymphedema as a result of lymph node removal with surgery to remove cancer.

Of course I was concerned and began learning more about what nutritional products were best for her health.

Shortly afterwards, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. My blood sugar got as high as 525 which was pretty scarey.

This was a rude awakening. I was in my early 40s and on my way to an early death. I had a choice to make. I could keep eating the way I was eating or I could make more lifestyle changes and change how I was eating.

When I read about diabetes and how carbohydrates are the problem and that carbohydrates were everywhere, my heart sank! All I could think of was how awful it would be to have to give up the breads, potatoes, pastas & rice I loved so much.

Once I got over that hurdle (which is the Second Secret to Losing Weight), I did change my eating habits and I started leaving those foods in the pot. When I really wanted some of that food group, I would control my portion and only have one serving.

To my delight, I started losing weight! I lost around 30 pounds. Of course I have hit plateaus and they are so very discouraging!

The Most Important Thing

But the most important thing is to understand how changing a few habits, just one at a time, can have a dramatic effect on your health. I have read that losing just 10 pounds has a positive effect on your overall health and lifespan!

That is worth it!

Realize that you came to be overweight through your Lifestyle choices.  A good friend and mentor of mine always says, “Who was always at the seen of the crime?”

• You made choices to eat the wrong foods.
• You made choices to eat more than you needed.
• You made choices to eat for comfort.

Whatever those negative choices have been, you know what they are. Just as I know what my choices have been.

Are you ready to accept responsibility for your weight?
Are you ready to accept your responsibility that you are fat and you are not fluffy?
I have traveled that road and I am always committed to support you in your Lifestyle Change challenges!

(Photo courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn)

I always love to hear what you have to say!
Have you recognized the negative Lifestyle choices that have contributed to your weight gain? What are the changes you have started making?
Please leave your comments below.

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Believe In Your Success, I Do!
Karen
Skype me! karen.j.miller