What is better than losing weight and
centimeters? Keeping it off. This is not a joke, but a very real
problem once people have reached their goal. There is much emphasis
on losing weight, dropping a dress size and getting fitter, but it is
pointless if you have to buy new clothes only to wear them for a few
weeks until the activity stops and the chocolate sneaks back into the
cupboard and the mouth.
Research shows that there is more of a
sense of failure if you reach your weight goal or perfect size only
to return to the start when the willpower goes down the drain with
the fruit and exercise program. Because the goal has been achieved
there is more pity, self confidence damage and sulking than the
original person that made the resolutions. The achievement of
reaching that goal weight (a temporary feeling is too many cases)
cannot be forgotten after the weight has crept back. The Biggest
Loser seldom shows what happened to the “loser” when the
trainer-torturer-encourager went on to torture others and the meals
stopped being weighed and specially prepared. Slowly cheating
patterns creep back into your lifestyle when nobody watches your
every movement. The snacks become less healthy and the training
routine fades with the enthusiasm.
New Year’s Day and Spring Day are
always special occasions when we set our goals for the year and
season ahead. We reflect on the goals we did not achieve the previous
years and the winter layers we accumulated. Make this your season to
stay healthy, have regular check ups and stick with the exercise
program. Do not stop exercise in winter when the appetite and
waistline grows, otherwise you may be making the same resolution to
lose five kilos next year. Stay fit throughout the year and develop a
habit to eat breakfast, include sufficient protein and make healthy
food choices for the family. Think about the wellbeing of others and
share healthy recipes with a friend and be accountable to them when
you are tempted to give up. Do not make selfish resolutions and have
a buddy to share the trials, temptations and triumphs. When you want
to drink wine and cocktails in the afternoon sun, take your buddy for
a walk and drink water to rehydrate while you catch up on the week’s
news without the slurring, kilojoules and cost associated with
drinking alcohol. You will also remember the conversation the next
day and not have done anything embarrassing.
Make this a season of education by
ditching daily Face Book updates to check health websites and
research a new recipe or exercise program. Subscribe to newsletters
for daily motivational quotes and exercise tips. Have courage to
reaching your goal and faith to maintain the success. My quote is
that “faith is courage under pressure”. Have the courage to learn
more about exercise and healthy eating and keep focused on the goal.
Have faith that your new lifestyle is healthier and a permanent state
of wellbeing and make the healthy season last a lifetime.
