It’s the New Year – Are You Ready For a Fresh Start?

The New Year brings a new opportunity to commit to yourself, to rebuild your foundation, take the next step, and look forward to what’s ahead. But how ready are you?

Everyone who ever started a weight loss program thought they were ready to lose weight.  They came to terms with how much they disliked the body they were living in, declaring themselves ready to kick it to the curb and get healthy.  

So why do so many of us fail?  Fact is, most of us dive into weight loss fueled by self-loathing and/or poor body image and not necessarily ready to actually lose the weight.

Think of your body like your house.  Maybe at one time it was a showplace, meticulously cared for, and the talk of the neighborhood.  Or maybe it was always a bit of a fixer-upper.  

Regardless, when you are ready to renovate your home you accept that it will take time, money, commitment, and a plan.  You know that your dream house isn’t going to appear on the curb tomorrow.  So why don’t we treat our bodies the same way?

You may think you’re ready to shed the fat that’s holding you back, but you might just be wrong.  And that might be why you keep failing.  So instead of jumping in with both feet, how about we take a look at some foundation issues. 

Here are 5 Foundational Commitments For Successful Weight Loss:

Owning it.  Are you ready to accept where you are and how you got here?  Can you get on a scale, take your measurements, and pose for your before shots?  Are you willing to take a full inventory of your house as it stands?  What is the best part of your body?  What needs work?  Before you can begin you really do have to embrace your power, set aside all the blaming and complaining, and push through your fears.  No one and nothing made you gain weight.  Your choices brought you to this place and better choices will take you someplace new.

Going all in.  Weight loss isn’t a one-off, guys.  If you really want to discover your happiest, healthiest self, you are going to need to make a lifelong commitment to change.  We are not talking about a coat of paint.  We are talking about rebuilding the whole house and in order to keep it up you are going to need to learn new, permanent patterns of caretaking.

If you truly feel you’re ready to go all-in, consider joining my January 2021 Fresh Start Program, where we’ll spend the whole month setting up your foundation for a lifetime of fitness and wellness.

Asking for help.  You wouldn’t hang a twelve-foot sheet of drywall alone, nor should you plan on redesigning your body alone either.  Look at your friends and family.  Who would be willing to lend a hand?  Who can you turn to when you cannot do the job alone?  This is important! There are some people in your life who are naturally gifted and willing to share what they know to help you succeed, but you probably also know a few other people who make everything into a contest or who hoard their talents and never want to share.  Learn the difference between these two and enlist the help of those who will encourage you to get the job done.

Sticking to it.  During every renovation project I’ve ever witnessed or been part of, at some point the homeowners were ready to throw in the towel and move into a hotel.  Everything seems to take longer and require more energy than they expected.  Weight loss can be like that too.  There will be days when you are ready to wallow in a 9”x13” pan of brownies, but if you want to succeed, you’re going to need to stick to the plans and commitments you’ve made.  You have to know that a hotel room or a pan of brownies is only a temporary fix that will slow the “project” down, stay focused.

Working hard.  Change doesn’t come easy.  If only we could click our heels together three times, say, “There’s no place like home!” and POOF, renovation complete, with a banging body ready to rock n roll.  It just doesn’t work like that.  Remodeling your body is going to take real planning, sweat equity, and a willingness to do the dirty work.  You can absolutely build a beautiful, healthy house for your soul but you’ve got to be willing to put in the work.

So are you really ready to lose the weight?  You can do this.  I can help.

All bodies have potential.  Regardless of their current state, there is room for improvement and the potential to create a comfortable, happy home.  You know it’s true, your body is your house. 

Think about this … If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?