This journey of health/weight loss is the one time it HAS to be about you.  It’s not about what your husband or wife wants.  It’s not about someone bribing you: money, vacation and even new clothes are not enough to make you get healthy.

You have to WANT to.  You have to want to for YOU!  Because in the end, you are the only one in control over what you eat and what you do.

Sit down and think.  That’s right: think.  Turn off the TV, the radio, ask the family to go to a movie.  Reflect on your life.  Where are you and what about it do you need to change? Where do you want to be?  This is where you need to be realistic.  If you’re over 50 and weigh 300 pounds, a swim suit model maybe not be realistic.  That being said, would weighing less than 200 pounds be realistic?  YES!

Now, how will you get there?  I am not a diet expert, other than I’ve tried almost all of them and I was not ready for any of them to work for me.  There are lots of “systems” out there.  You may have tried one or more in the past.  Now that you are really ready for a change, one of them might be the right path for you.

Chose something YOU can stick to.  Even when the rest of the family or your friends are eating other things.  This is not about being on a diet and how fast can you get off of it.  This is about a lifestyle change.  If you want to get healthy and stay healthy, you may never get “off” this.  So chose carefully: it’s for life.

Yes, you will be able to have a piece of cake one day.  It will be a small piece and you may find that you really don’t need or even want it.  That is the power of changing your lifestyle and being dedicated you saving your life.

It is a good idea to talk with your doctor no matter your weight or overall health.  Make sure you’re not thinking about something that may be more harmful.

Be sure the doctor knows that you are serious and you intend to be doing this for the long haul.  If the doctor wants you to eat only vegetables and you can’t do that.  Tell them. It will not do you any good to lie and say you will.

Once you have decided what you are willing to do to reach your goal, tell your family and friends.  Tell them how they can support you.  Do not buy into “oh, you aren’t fat”. You know why you are doing this and if they can’t support you, then stay away from them until you are strong enough to deal with them trying to derail your efforts.  Telling people who care about you is a way of staying accountable.  You may need that at first.

You can do this.  We will do it together!