Change Your Attitude and Lose the Weight

A positive attitude is everything when you set out on a journey to lose weight. It doesn't matter if you have 20, 50 or 100 pounds to lose. Many people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and start the year with gusto. They cut out entire food groups and start exercising an hour a day. Come mid-February a good 80% or more have given up and are back to their old ways. For years I was one of that 80%. Last year things changed and I attribute the change to a change in attitude.

I had tried every diet imaginable. High fat, low fat, carbs, no carbs--you name it. I joined NutriSystem where I managed to lose the weight, only to regain it plus some. Diet pills and starvation didn't work. Finally it dawned on me; diets don't work--attitude does. The reason diets don't work is because you can't live your lifetime avoiding certain food groups. Eventually you are going to want a piece of cake or a cheeseburger and there's no reason why you can't have them occasionally. The secret to losing weight and keeping it off all boils down to: portion size, frequency and attitude. Let's face it, you can't eat Big Mac value meals on a daily basis and lose weight.

Last year I decided to join Weight Watchers. I'm not saying that the Weight Watchers program is for everyone, but for me it was the perfect fit. I learned how many calories I needed per day to lose weight. They use a program that converts calories, fat and fiber to a point system. I'm not going to go into any food plans because it doesn't matter if you use a nutritionist, a weight loss program or you do it on your own. The one thing I do know for sure is that whatever avenue you decide to take won't work until you change your attitude.

The attitude you need to take to be successful consists of several important things. First, losing weight is a long process. You will have weeks that you lose 1 or 2 pounds, weeks you maintain and weeks you gain a half pound. A gain can mean anything from consuming too much sodium to being constipated to your body re-adjusting itself. You may have gained some weight and lost a few inches. Always keep the big picture in mind and don't give up.