Logging is the Key to Accountability

I had a client this morning ask why he wasn't losing weight even though he is watching his diet and exercising.

My response was, "How many calories have you been eating?"

He didn't know.  Calories are the basis of our energy balance.  It will be very difficult to know what the answer is to your weight loss question without knowing the details of your consumption and expenditure.  Most mainstream, balanced diet programs use some sort of accountable system.  Whether it is and points system or even the Richard Simmons "Deal-a-Meal", some accounting for your eating will be key to understanding your success or more importantly your failure to loss weight.

There is a time investment, but the information is crucial.  You can do it.  208.0

Get to know Yourself

Are you introspective?  Do you self-analyze?  Or do you not want to consider the negative or sometimes unhealthy choices we each make.

I teach a weight management course.  Last night the question can up about what could have been done better.  I asked for the feedback because I want the class to be better in the future.

From the participants mouths, accountability is the key.  The may be in the form of a group to meet with or even to meet with yourself.  It seems that is the sticking point.  People don't want to mull over things that haven't gone well.  We would rather discard our failures or atleast the non-successes.

When I have eaten poorly or am not in a current frame of mind to want to try, I don't weigh in and I certainly don't count calories.  Maybe you have been there too.  I simply want to make bad choices.  That, of course, can lead to unhealthy consequences.  Weeks or months without knowing what the results of my eating are tend to "accidently" increase my weight, among other health concerns.

Weight loss, unfortunately, doesn't happen by accident.  You have to pay attention, analyze and correct in the future.  You also must learn to do so on your own or face potential failure.

Don't be afraid to spend time with yourself.  Get to know the why's and how's of your eating.  Spend time looking over your diet and see where you could benefit from better portion control or healthier choices.  If you want to learn and grow, you have to study.  Now go sit by yourself and read a chapter!

207.2

Radio Show

Beginning stages of discussions about doing a radio show.  Would you listen?

Please give some feedback, so that I can go to the station with a built in audience.  Thanks

In the mean time, don't let frustration or dispare get to you.  The race is not short.  If a sprint, then Adkins would be the victor.  Instead, he is gone and everyone wants their money back to buy cholestrol lowering mediactions.

You have signed up for the marathon.  Can you imagine that distance?  The idea is to finish healthy, but definitely to finish.  Think longterm - how great will you feel both emotionally and physically when you reach your goal.  Act short-term - you have to do daily things to reach your goal.

How many times have you said "Just one more won't hurt".  Well, it does!  So stop and look for change now.

208.8 - Longterm that is 59.8 pounds down from 3 years ago.  10 pounds down since late February. And I plan on losing today!  Do you have a plan?

School-time Habits that lead to Weight Issues

Recently our supremely altrusistic legislation decided that ketchup is a vegetable.  Well heck, I'm nearly a vegan then!

Lunch Concerns - We are sending our children to school for 5 maybe 10 of their 21 meals for the week and what they are offering is leading to higher obesity levels.  Those who we have voted in to protect us are listening more to food industry lobbyists than to us or common sense.

Activity Concerns - With budgets getting tighter, the Arts and PE tend to be trimmed first.  We feed our children fattening foods are then don't offer to let them move and stay active.

New reasearch - Multiple reports suggest that obesity has tripled in the last couple of decades.  Also, learning is improved when children get activity.  What are we doing to the next generation.

Do you have a Plan?

Having goals, like losing weight is great.  But you need to have a plan of execution.  How are you going to get it done?  That plan should have urgency so that procrastination doesn't creep in.  The real question then is, what are you going to do this week or even tomorrow?

I was explaining weight loss and someone said that I make it sound easy.  It is easy as a conceptual idea.  The main issue is that make it more difficult, mostly with poor execution.

We are ok with more activity, but not giving up food or soda or alcohol.  We don't mind diet management but don't want to sleep better.  I will change everything, but you can't make me log. 

Fine, but what are your results.  Today I'm 209.0  Three years ago I weighed 268.6.  It is easy to ask if the information that I am giving you is correct then why was I at an unhealthy weight.  The answer is easy too.  I was living a balanced life, and I abused my body.  I used time as a resource and food as a reward.  I didn't sleep and told myself that next week, next month, next time I would focus.  The switch cannot be simply switched.  Too many aspects of weight management are habit based. 

The first place to find change is between your ears.  Success will come, but you can't always control the timeline. Students, you know what I am saying?

Careful who is Watching

Whether it is your own kids or others you influence, your actions can betray your words.  Our children are growing up in a Toxic Environment that is partially created by our own laziness and preoccupation with the outside world.

We are tired and order pizza.  We get home late with fast food breath.  Don't teach them (your sphere of influence) to do the things you know is incorrect.  Both of you deserve better. 

I had someone thank me for sharing my story.  I cannot tell you how rewarding that is.  I only want to try harder, because someone is watching.  And I want to be a positive role model, not a shackel to someone else.

Who might be watching you?  Who are you holding back?  Only yourself?   209.0

Something is Going Right

After an initial gain at the beginning of Spring Break, I am now down.  Staying busy, planning my meals and not having any cravings seems to have spelled success.

208.8 today!  I have not weighed this amount is going up when I originally gained weight during college in 1997.  15 years later.  I am not done yet and don't feel that the battle is over.  Everyday will need to be treated with respect.