When it Comes to Weight Loss - Attitude is Everything

"My clothes don't fit anymore." "I can't stand to see myself in the mirror." Does this sound familiar? If so, you have probably reached the point where you tear through the house like a maniac, throwing out all the junk food and sodas you can find and announce to the whole household, "I am on a diet!" In your mind you instantly begin to list all of the things you will be forced to change in order to "stick to a diet". That negative, "I hate myself, I hate dieting" attitude towards weight loss is already beginning. Why not approach weight loss with a different attitude this time? Here are three typical attitudes towards weight loss and how you can turn them around so that you can reach your goals.

I HATE DIETING.
The word diet automatically throws up a red flag. Dieting is associated with bland foods, severe cravings and hunger pains. Totally eliminate the word DIET from your vocabulary and start looking at how you can adopt a healthy lifestyle. Healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Healthy eating includes a variety of foods from each of the major food groups, choosing healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and nuts rather than junk food that is full of empty calories and cutting back on your portion sizes. An active lifestyle means you're not just sitting around on the couch all day. Get out and about. Walk. Run. Play. Remember - life is what you make of it.

I JUST CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT.
Assuming this is not your first weight loss "rodeo", don't base your future success on previous failures. Rather than focusing on your past failures examine them to see what made you give up. Identify the reasons you didn't reach your goal last time and plan ways to prevent a repeat. Remember - this is a new day and you have a new attitude about weight loss.

NOBODY UNDERSTANDS HOW HARD THIS IS FOR ME.
If it seems that your family and friends are trying to sabotage your weight loss efforts, reach out to others who have the same goals that you have. Join the person you see walking or riding their bike on your street every morning or visit a local fitness center. There are numerous organizations that offer motivation and support. Find one. Remember - you are not alone.

Does this sound too simple? Why not give it a try! Eliminate the word diet from your vocabulary, identify the reasons you didn't succeed in your weight loss efforts and plan ways to prevent them from happening again and find a support group that understands what you are going through. I mean really, what do you have to lose?