Success?

Whenever someone starts a new weight loss program, diet, or exercise plan, the odds of long term success are extremely low. Why do you think diet programs and fitness plans are a multi billion dollar industry?

Here’s the key to success: unless you completely overhaul your lifestyle and mindset, you will not be successful.

Let me explain. Most people go into weight loss thinking, “If I can only lose xx amount of weight, I’ll be happy and healthy.” So they eat right, exercise and do whatever they need to to get the weight off. If they’re lucky, they reach their goal and think, I did it! Then gradually, they’ll start reverting back to their old habits and pretty soon they’re back to where they started, plus some, and the cycle continues.

If you think that way, you will fail 100% of the time. A successful journey to health is about a complete change of lifestyle and way of thinking. You have to come up with a way of living that is healthy for you, and most importantly, sustainable over the long haul. If you want to be healthy, fitness and nutrition have to become an important part of your daily life, not just something you do to reach your goal. You have to commit to living that way for the rest of your life.

For me, that looks like making going to the gym and doing my cardio a priority each day. I do it first thing in the morning, even if that means I have to wake up at 5 am and go to bed early each night because for me, my health is a priority in my life. I do not look at exercise as a chore, something I have to do, but rather, as something I get to do to help me live a healthy and fulfilling life. It is no different than the other daily duties in my life like brushing my teeth, taking a shower or eating breakfast. If I don’t want my teeth to rot, I brush them. If I don’t want to smell, I bathe. If I don’t want to end up an invalid, I exercise.

If you change your mindset, and look at proper nutrition and exercise as simply another part of your day, the odds of being successful long term are much more likely to increase. This isn’t easy because often it means giving up your way of life. But if you’re truly committed, you can find ways to improve your health while still living life. Like to drink? Go for light beers or only drink that wine three nights a week instead of six. Like to eat out? Choose heart healthy restaurants or eat out fewer times each week. Even small changes can dramatically increase health and slim the waistline.