How to Lose Weight: #1: Get Excited!

David Bennett

As I begin to consider the lifestyle changes and actions that have helped me lose weight, I think I should really start from the beginning, which is GET EXCITED.

I admit that I my weight has fluctuated over the years, and one very important factor that has allowed me to lose excess weight (and keep it off) is to have a certain level of excitement about losing weight and getting in shape. Experts tell us that our mind doesn't necessarily know the difference between what we think is true, and what is true. If we are excited about weight loss, then we are constantly telling ourselves how we will lose weight and reach our goal! When this excitement fades, it becomes more difficult to lose weight, because our mind is no longer able to think as positively as when we started. I am not saying that every moment has to leave you exclaiming "boy, eating broccoli instead of ice cream is awesome...I sure prefer sulfur-containing chemicals to sugar" because that is not realistic, but if weight loss and getting in shape is tantamount to painful torture for you, then I am guessing that losing weight is not going to be easy.

I believe that when beginning to lose weight, it is important to start out excited and fired-up. Later in this series, I speak about developing healthy eating and fitness habits, since excitement fades, but starting out, I find that I need to be excited, to get over the initial struggles and challenges of losing weight. In high school and college, I found that the social benefits of weight loss motivated me the most (i.e. my dating life was a basic behavioral experiment: it was better when I was thin...sometimes non-existent when I was fat!). As odd as it sounds, I am almost nostalgic for those summer days when I was 30 pounds overweight, struggling to even run 10, 100 yard sprints, drenched with sweat and embarrassingly out-of-breath. It is not that I am some sort of masochist and yearn for the pain, but rather I remember how hopeful and excited I was to start anew during those moments. Because of the excitement, those memories are etched positively into my mind.

I hope that if you are reading this, you are at least mildly excited about weight loss. However, here are some of my ideas for getting excited about weight loss?

1. Focus on your reason behind getting healthy (e.g. looking better, improving your social life, being alive for the grandchildren, etc), and don't let yourself forget these reasons. Keep your goal in your mind and if you have to, continually remind yourself of the reason for your excitement (see below).

2. To keep yourself excited, remind yourself of the reasons for weight loss. One tool I use is Google Calendar. Every morning, this calendar program sends me a reminder of my daily agenda. I include weight loss reminders (including reasons I want to lose weight) on my daily reminders.

3. Work with others to generate excitement. Talk it up with friends, family members, and even co-workers. Go shopping for healthy food together. Meet for coffee and discuss your progress. Exercise together. I find that I do much better when I have someone to work with (this will be expanded in another tip), and part of this is because both (or all) of us help keep the other(s) excited.

4. Start a weight loss or fitness blog. Is there a more perfect, modern, way to "talk" with thousands of people about your weight loss efforts, in order to stay excited? Even if very few people are reading your story, at least you are writing it! However, one thing about weight loss blogs is that you have to make time for it if you want to succeed. There is a veritable "boneyard" of abandoned weight-loss blogs out there that attest to the reality that weight loss blogs aren't always maintained.

5. Try this morning affirmation. Every morning, say out loud, the kind of day you want to have. State it positively, make it realistic, and remind yourself of your goal. For example, you might say "Today I will eat less than 2000 calories, and exercise for at least 30 minutes, because I want to look good for Mary's wedding." By saying this, you are training your brain to believe it!

6. Try this night affirmation. Every night before bed, list out loud a few things you are grateful for that happened during the day related to your weight loss. Personally, I recommend expressing how grateful you are for people and things in every area in your life, but this article is focused on weight loss. It is as simple as listing a few things that you did well, or that pleased you (if you can't think of any, keep trying!). For example, you might say, "I ate well, felt thinner, and had a chance to meet with my friends and talk about our weight loss strategies." Don't dwell on the day's negatives, even if there were negatives, but be grateful for the positives. This is not to say you should ignore where you have stumbled, because you need to be aware of mistakes to correct them in the future, but I am sure that you are already aware of the day's errors, so this exercise is meant to focus on the good things.

Custom Search

Disclaimer: These tips reflect the insights of one or more individuals about weight loss and other issues of health. These insights are based on personal experience and scientific research, to help you live a life of greater wellness. They should not be construed as medical advice or the services of a dietician. Before beginning any weight loss or exercise program, you should consult a physician.