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It is easy to achieve “success” with arbitrary weight loss goals like dropping 10
pounds in a certain time frame—just adopt any number of ill-advised methods like
calorie restriction or overtraining. However, this strategy creates the now what?
problem. You’ve reached your goal—now what? Your underlying lifestyle habits are
unchanged, your extreme training and diet methods cannot be maintained for the long
term, so you end up gaining back the weight or losing the fitness gains you made as
you strived blindly to achieve your goal.
The key to long-term weight loss is to enjoy the process of leading a healthy, fit
lifestyle. It’s okay to set tangible goals—if you want to lose 15 pounds or run your
first 10k, these are admirable targets to shoot for. Just remember to keep the goal
in the proper perspective. Consider the prospect of just getting to your final
destination without any enjoyment of the process. Stepping on the bathroom scale every
morning or even owning a scale should not be a pre-requisite for successful weight
loss.
Rather than count calories, you can enjoy the experience of eating healthy, nutritious
foods. Rather than push your body through a punishing exercise regimen akin to boot
camp, you will enjoy energizing workouts and gradual, uninterrupted fitness progress
in the presence of optimum health. You need to focus on the enjoyment of leading a
healthy lifestyle in order to achieve permanent lifestyle changes. The joy and
appreciation that comes from losing weight and reaching your goals is derived from
the process of pursuing it.
Understanding Your Genetic Limitations
It’s easy to adopt unrealistic goals under the influence of today’s cultural values.
The influence of advertising, fashion, media, television and movies has created an
unhealthy obsession with thinness. The feminine and masculine ideals embodied by
supermodels are out of reach for almost everyone. Maintaining the body composition of
a supermodel is a combination of rare genetics and an often obsessive, full-time
devotion to athletic training and restrictive eating. For example, the ideal female
portrayed by models and actresses is estimated to be 5’9“ and weigh 110 pounds.
The average American woman is 5’4“ and weighs 140 pounds. No wonder 50% of American
women are on a “diet” at any given time!
Your appearance and body type are largely dependent on genetic factors. Proper diet
and exercise won’t make you taller, nor will it alter your basic bone structure and
frame size. Just as our adult height is coded in our genes, we each have a metabolic
set point that is largely determined by genetic factors. Proper exercise and diet
will allow you to maintain your ideal weight with respect to your genetic factors.
Thus, the ideal that you have in mind must match what is realistic for you genetically
and practically (for example, how much time per week do you devote to exercise?)
Success From Within
Your greatest reward for improving your lifestyle must come from within, not from
the approval of others. Adopting this philosophy will prevent you from suffering from
the negativity and resentment you may experience from others. Your friends, co-workers
and family members may not embrace your success as much as you expect them to.
It is human nature to be envious and even resentful of others who realize their dreams.
Instead of responding to resentment with in-kind resentment, you will develop a
compassion and sensitivity to others and their problems, even if they are manifested
in a destructive way towards you. When you experience the success and enjoyment that
comes from improving your dietary habits, increasing your daily energy level and
elevating your fitness level, you will acquire the power and confidence to inspire
others to do the same.
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