These past few columns I’ve mostly been giving you tips and tricks related to food. But all of those tips are useless if you’re not motivated to use them.
I’ll be quite honest with you guys. These past few weeks it’s been hard for me to rise above the challenge of all the alluring desserts and confectionary treats that come along with Easter. I also just felt tired. I’d been tiptoeing around food for almost half a year and it was just wearing me down a little bit. Finally, I’ve had a string of weeks where I haven’t lost any weight. Things just build up and make you want to revert to your old habits.
But I, and anyone else, trying to lose weight need realize that Rome was not built in a day. You didn’t gain all that weight quickly; why should it be expected that you’re going to slim down quickly?
In the hope that it will motivate you in your weight loss efforts, I’m going to tell you a little bit about mine. My goal is to lose 80 pounds. I’ve lost 38 pounds in about five and a half months, which is about 6.5 pounds a month, a little over one pound a week.
Here are some pictures:
 |  |
Before and after photos of Angélica González during her weight-loss journey. |
Noticeably different, right? Hearing about and seeing other people’s success stories is one of the best motivators. It lets you know that the results you want to achieve are in fact possible. I’ve got pictures of some of the people from the TV show The Biggest Loser posted on my fridge in the hopes that it will get me to fill it with nutritious foods, not crap. I cut out a People magazine article about what Jennifer Hudson did to lose weight after gaining it for her role in Dreamgirls and put it on my wall. Whenever I’m feeling like I’d rather search YouTube for clips of Clone High than head to the gym, I can look at Jennifer in her “after” pictures and it will nudge me more in the right direction.
Another great way to motivate yourself is to get one piece of clothing you are dying to wear in the size that you hope you’ll eventually be. Let’s be realistic here: If you get something that is size 2, you’ll only frustrate yourself and you might lose sight of any success that isn’t your impossible ideal. Maybe you can ask a friend whose body is healthy and that you admire if she has any clothes she’d be willing to part with. Drawing inspiration locally, and not from some model or celebrity, makes losing weight seem that much more attainable.
If you don’t think any of those will work for you, maybe it will help to think of the negative consequences of unchecked eating. Have you ever seen the show Honey, We’re Killing the Kids? Basically, these parents who let their kids eat Lunchables at every meal (or something equally screwy) get scared shitless when they see computer generated images of their kids as adults: fat, balding, acne-ridden losers. It’s no secret that overweight people have more problems when it comes to their hearts, joints, skin, pancreases, and more. And I will be perfectly honest: The majority of the American population will find you more attractive. I didn’t write the rules of society. That alone is not necessarily the best reason to lose weight, but everyone likes feeling hot, and you will at least feel it a lot more if you continue on your healthy eating path.
I am going to throw out a caveat when it comes to motivation: Whatever you do, do NOT reward yourself with food. None of this “When I lose 10 pounds I’m going to celebrate at the Cheesecake Factory” business. Please. I’m begging you. As someone who was raised in a household where after a particularly awesome report card or orchestra performance, my siblings and I were always asked if we wanted to go get some ice cream, I’ve been there. As recently as this spring break, I was at home, got some good news regarding a summer internship, and my dad immediately suggested a trip to Braum’s (Don’t know Braum’s? I guess it’s a Texas thing). Food as reward just sends the wrong message. It equates food with love. Keep this in mind if you ever want to have children and would prefer that they not develop type 2 diabetes before they’re 20.
I hope I’ve renewed your commitment to a healthier lifestyle. You can do this. And you’re definitely not alone.