Weight Loss resolution? Don't do it!!!!

I don't think weight loss is a good New Year's resolution. Yes I said it. People feel moved to lose 15 lbs, 30 lbs or even more and declare it boldly either to theirself or to their "support circle". For several days (maybe weeks) they are strong, resolute, they cut down on calories, they reactivate their gym membership, start juicing, schedule a colonic, and feel "in control".

Now don't get me wrong I am not saying goals are worthless, I'm just saying there is a better way and a worthier goal than weight loss that will ultimately help you on the path to satisfaction.

Everyone is familiar with the stats showing that 95% of people who lose weight gain it back within the year and then invariably you'll see "and then some". Here are a few explanations for this that you probably have not considered.

The YoYo effect

So you carefully outline your goal - maybe you are even savvy enough to make it a S.M.A.R.T.Y. goal.
An Example of a SMARTY goal would be

·       Specific – 50 lbs weight loss
·       Measurable – Yes. Easily done with a scale
·       Actionable – Exercise and dieting seems to count as action for most.
·       Risk – The idea of getting out of your comfort zone – giving up some creature comforts.
·       Time – In the next 12 weeks. By your birthday - But does it really matter?
·       Yours – You are doing this for yourself! Not because someone wants you to!

So, now what happens when you drop the 50 pounds as outlined in your goal? All your hard work and sacrifice is focused on that 50lbs, now what? What is going to keep you going forward after you crossed the finish line? You worked to get this far so now you let up! This is the “yo-yo effect” where you go back and forth from working towards a goal to not working on one. This yoyoing makes it difficult to build upon your progress for the long-term.

You can't control the future

You can’t truly know what the future holds! No really it is true! You don’t know what is happening tomorrow. Choosing weight loss as a goal puts a huge burden on your shoulders and waiting for Jan 1st of every year and giving yourself a deadline to “drop ___lbs” is a recipe for failure. Setting this goal suggest that you can control things that you have no control over.

You try to plan how many pounds to lose and when you will reach a target. Why would you try to predict how quickly you can make progress, when you have no idea what circumstances or situations will arise along the way. This is particularly true when your sleep, hormones and stress are in flux which brings us to the truth of the matter.

Are you ready for the TRUTH?

You're chasing the wrong goal.

The truth is a healthy body has an easier time shedding fat than an unhealthy body - there is no argument against that period. So your focus should then be on health. Restricted calorie diets are not healthy. That is the truth. Living in pain is not healthy. Constipation and diarrhea is not a sign of health. High blood pressure, headaches, diabetes, migraines, gas, heart burn, bloating, rashes, hives, insomnia, reflux...the list goes on. Taking medications to mask these symptoms is not getting you closer to health. In fact masking symptoms is likely making the underlying cause worse and setting you up for chronic disease and a lifetime of pill popping.

Solution - face your truth.

Think about your health and truly look at diet and lifestyle. Not sure where to start? Stay tuned for solutions or attend on of my free presentations listed on the Calendar of Events page