Work for it Wednesday: An Ode to the Old Dieting Me

Change.

Such an amazing word but what does it truly mean?

Change for the moment?
Change for a month?
Change for a person?
Change for instant gratification? 

Why do you want to change your life?

Ask yourself that question. Don't ask others. Ask yourself.

For me, personally, at first it was about a quick fix to lose the weight I had gained from being depressed

after a devastating loss. I tried everything from diet pills, to the newest trends like green tea pills. It was all about what others thought of me and not about what I thought of myself. I ignored the racing heart beat from the pills, I ignored the complete exhaustion from continuing to poorly eat but increasing my workouts. Then, I started to workout based off of what I ate. So, if I ate too much or ate crap food then you would fine me at the gym for 2-2 1/2 hours. Honestly, I did not know up from down. It was all about the number on the scale.

That quick fix, instant gratification is honestly nonsense. I learned failing forward that doesn't last. Those diet pills, screwed up my body and my digestion. The green tea supplement was something that was not even approved by the FDA to be taken. Here I was continuing to eat crap food or some days starve myself because of poor choices. I feel to binge eating more times than I care to count and always felt a remorse that I let myself down. I was not ready for a real change, a lifestyle change. I was still fixating on what others thought of me and the way I looked. I was still in the wrong mindset to actually make the change my body so desperately needed.

Now, it's about being healthy, happy and doing things to better myself physically and mentally. Solely, for myself. Not for anyone else. Honestly, let me be real with you for a second. You cannot change your life for anyone else but you. Yes things like your kids and family can be great motivating factors, however, you are the one at the end of the day that has to put in the effort to make it happen. So sit down for me and think about what your ideal life would be like--->NOT what number on the scale you want to see, not what size dress you want to wear, not what you want others to say. Think about what YOU want for your life and then start taking action. 

It's so easy to fixate on the negative, the people that passed you by, those that made you feel unworthy. It is so easy to think about everything you don't have and wish you did. But take a moment and list 10 things you are GRATEFUL for and honestly you will start to realize things are never as bad as they seem. I can say this confidently now after going through the most difficult year of my life and still maintaining my results because I live a lifestyle now NOT A DIET. So post your grateful list somewhere that you will see if everyday so that you are reminded how wonderful you truly are and the progress you are making. Remember, you are the only person who can change your life and you are also the only person who defines your worth. Do not allow other people's opinions to stand in the way of the success you so greatly deserve. 

So if you're like me, a quick fixer, dieter, attempting the latest craze then do me a favor and stop right now. Throw away the pills, the diet drinks and focus on living a healthy lifestyle. The part no one likes to hear is that 80% of the change you need is your nutrition. For the longest time, I had AWFUL nutrition to the point my doctor stood over me after a surgical procedure and gave me the real talk about my poor choices and what it would do down the road. Most importantly nutrition has to be your main focus and I don't mean eating less to loss weight because that's ridiculous honestly and you have to be constantly fueling your body for successful weight loss that is able to be maintained. 

Break down your goals to smaller, more attainable weekly goals, so you are always moving forward. Really think about your efforts and actions, are they truly going to get you towards those goals or are you still sitting in that negative mindset that you can do this through "dieting" and "quick fixes." Take those smaller goals and also post them, ditch the scale after you do your initial weights and measurements and focus on how you and your clothes feel. If you continue to do the same things that you've done in the past you can expect the same results forever. It's time we shift our mindsets to a lifestyle, something that is easy to maintain with optimal benefits. 

From this, I hope you get that I've been where you are so broken-hearted and desperate to make a change I was willing to do anything...now a year and a half later I can tell you that I am a different, more confident, healthier person and it's all because I  took the time and effort to develop a lifestyle that doesn't include negativity and starvation. My passion is helping others live healthier more fulfilled lives and overcoming the adversities they face to be successful. You have to meet me halfway. I'll motivate you and keep you accountable but you have to join me, put in the effort and take time to learn and to grow.

If you need help learning how to live a lifestyle to better yourself then fill out the application below!

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.