Weight Loss Tip #9: Have Patience and Faith

Why is it that we want things to be fixed in a fraction of the time it took to get them in their present condition? What gives us the idea that a situation that evolved over several years can possibly be resolved in a matter of days or weeks? Any real, fundamental and lasting change usually takes a lot longer.

But I think that's good. And there's a reason for that. Our current situation may be difficult, or even intolerable. But that doesn't mean the answer is a quick, drastic action. Isn't it more important to thoroughly evaluate, as bravely and honestly as possible what habits, values or weaknesses you may have that contributed to a less-than-optimal current condition?

That's the case with getting fit and lean. Very few overweight people, especially significantly overweight people, have an easy time dropping the habits that got them there because there is a deeper motivation or attachment at work that needs to be examined. It might be a self-esteem issue, a sense of comfort that food provides, or just fear of the hard work and upheaval that's created by making a foundational shift in philosophy and practice with eating and exercise.

And that takes time, and emotional commitment. Then, once the habits are firmly in place, the process of drawing down the calorie bank (body fat) itself can't really be rushed. I tell clients that if they're doing everything right, expecting to lose, on average, about 1% of their body weight each week is reasonable. That's what my clients Marc and Tracy did (bottom of the page) http://www.trivalleytrainer.com/. And more importantly, they've kept it off.

So, like the boy I saw a couple of days ago in the back seat of his car as I was walking my own son to school seemed to be doing as his car drove past me - relax and enjoy the ride.