Have you tried to lose weight, experience success, only to succumb to old patterns resulting in re-gaining the weight?

Like you, I set out with great intentions, reducing my carbs, drinking only water, eliminating sugar, exercising regularly, quickly losing five pounds.

Then I have a family conflict, and I find myself eating sweet and salty Kettle Corn (the giant bag) on my way home from Costco. I’m derailed and lose motivation, landing back where I started.  Sound familiar?

Yet, there is a key to weight loss that resides in many success stories.

My best friend from college, a nurse practitioner, mom of four, and breast cancer survivor struggled to keep her weight down.  Having a strong value for health and fitness, she was in a cycle of starting a diet and exercise only to get derailed and felt defeated.   She took another approach eight months ago and is now fit, down twenty pounds, and feeling great. Her secret; she hired a coach.

A previous co-worker went from fad diet to diet until her liver enzymes were elevated and her physician told her if she didn’t change her diet and lose weight, a liver transplant was in the future.

I recently heard she was transformed, losing weight and feeling much better, including decreased liver enzymes.  People would ask, “what’s her secret?”.  She hired a coach.

Currently, in a busy and challenging season of my life, I am working with a coach to sustain a regular exercise schedule during this hectic time so I can maintain my weight and minimize my stress.  My coach provides the support and encouragement to stay on track.  There are five truths I believe are key for losing and maintain a healthy weight.

Truth #3:  Understand your relationship with food.  How does stress affect how you eat?  What triggers overeating?  Many of us turn to food to feel better.  Eating may make us feel better in the moment, but the feelings that triggered the eating are still there.  Eating when you are stressed, lonely, or bored gets you stuck in an unhealthy cycle.  It is important to find healthier ways to deal with your emotions.

Truth #3 Action Step:

• Understand what we eat is frequently tied to our eating habits. In times of increased stress, find healthy ways to eliminate it like exercise, spending time with friends, focus on hobbies/activities your enjoy, and keep yourself away from access to unhealthy foods by keeping refrigerator and pantry stocked with only nutritious options
• A Thrive Life-Coach can help get you on a path to improved health and habits will bring you success! Call her to set up and appointment today!

Truth #4:  Your body works against you and there are no quick fixes.  If we lose weight too quickly, our metabolism will slow making it harder to lose weight.  This is a defense mechanism to keep us from starving.  Recommended weight loss is no more than two pounds a week.  The key is to change habits that gradually result in weight loss over time.  Also, with age, our bodies do not require as much food.

Truth Four Action Step:

• Understand that there are no quick fixes! Accomplishing a weight loss goal or any goal will take time. Progress will be made in small steps with success occurring from the development of positive habits sustained over time.
• Celebrate the small victories on the way to achieving your big goal!

PS. A Thrive Life-Coach can help get you on a path to improved health and habits will bring you success! Call us to set up a complimentary achievement consultation today!