How would you like to learn the most common mistake that we women make when we decide to drop a dress size, or three?
You do?
It’s the “I Want It Right Now” syndrome.
Aha. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you!
This ‘urgency’ sets us up for failure – right from the outset – because we’re rush, rush, rushing our weight loss.
e.g. we go from having studiously avoided all forms of exercise for months, to exercising like a crazy woman several times a day.
Or, having regularly overindulged at the dinner table for a significant period, we shock our bodies as we start drinking dull-as-dishwater diet shakes, that promise “5kgs lost while you sleep”, three times a day.
We’re impatient.
We’re needy.
We’re afraid.
You see, we humans are funny creatures. Despite having thought about losing weight for months, maybe even years, now that we’re actually taking action – well, we want it r.i.g.h.t. T.H.I.S m.i.n.u.t.e!
Seeking immediate results on the scale is tantamount to planting a seed in the ground, then digging it up every morning to see if it’s growing yet. The seed does a whole lot of changing, developing under the ground, out of sight.
And you, digging it up each morning to check on progress, at best, impedes progress, and at worst, kills progress.
Mad at ourselves
Sounds crazy, but this ‘rushing’ is just another word for fear. When we rush our weight loss, when we’re impatient for results – we’re often mad at ourselves.
We’re mad for not “starting sooner”.
We’re mad for being “my age” and still struggling with this weight thing.
We’re mad for not having no willpower or having “lost time” in the past on failed diets.
We feel like we have to “catch up” because there’s no time to waste.
I sooooo get it! Who hasn’t been there?
“Overnight weight loss”
Let’s be honest. The “overnight weight loss” promised by many diets is neither safe, nor in most cases, possible. It’s a major reason why 95% of diets fail.
When we rush our results, the process becomes joyless – something to be endured – our willpower vanishes, and surprise, surprise the diet fails. Or in truth, the diet fails us: for more on that see here, here and here.
Result = three months later you’re even heavier than before……..and even madder than last time.
So, if you have decided that dropping a dress size is what you want – do yourself a favour – and give yourself the gift of time. Do it slowly. Focus on the process, not the the scales.
Go gently.
Go patiently.
Go kindly.
The weight didn’t arrive overnight. It will not shift overnight. You know this – you’re a smart woman, right?!
Allow yourself the gift of time and ‘keep on keeping on’, so that you can become the shape and size you choose to be.
Set a goal, and in small, consistent steps, work to reach it. Get support from your peers when you start flagging. Repeat.
You will change. —Seth Godin
Or, in other words, allow those seed to bloom – unhindered by crazy-pants-self-imposed deadlines.
So, start now sweetheart. In three months time – in 2014 – you’ll be pleased you did.
Love etc, Avril
PS: If you’re sick of the madness hypnotherapy might just be the answer you’re looking for. By harnessing the power of the unconscious mind you can drop a dress size gently, easily and naturally. Why not give me a call – there’s still time to drop a dress size by Christmas.
