Ramoney

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The other day Angie, a friend of mine said she wants to lose weight.  She knows how to eat healthy and works out regularly but says motivation (or lack thereof) is a constant concern.  So in no particular order, here is Ramoney’s 15 steps to motivate you in your quest to lose weight.  Angie this post is for you, and to all of you out there who need a little push.

1. Set a goal: How much weight do you want to lose?  People always tell me they want to lose weight, but don’t know how much.  Is it 10 pounds?  15? 20?  A sack of potatoes?  Have something concrete to measure.
2. Adapt the buddy system:  It’s never fun to go at a goal as unsexy as losing weight, let alone doing it alone.  Find someone with similar goals so you can motivate each other.
3. Give yourself a realistic time frame:  While losing 10 pounds a week seems like a great idea, it may not be achievable.  Shoot for something more manageable, say 1 pound a week?  Maybe 2.  It’s easier to achieve and will give you those little victories to boost your morale.
4. Keep a weight loss journal:  Nothing too fancy, just a way to track your progress.  Start with the date, then the weight (i.e. 4-17-08: 203 lbs., 4-21-08: 202 lbs., etc..).
5. Make a public declaration: I’m not saying you should stand on a soapbox in the middle of an intersection and yell into the crowd that you want to be a size 4 by July.  Tell family and friends, and maybe people at work about your weight loss project.  If they know what you’re up to, they can encourage you and help you keep track of your goals.
6. Post-itize!: A note in front of the refrigerator to have the eggplant instead of the linguine.  A note on the steering wheel to park farther from the entrance.  Life is unpredictable, so it helps to have reminders.
7. Remove all the candy from your house!: That’s right.  If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.  And if it’s out of mind, it’s going to have a hell of a time getting into your stomach.
8. Substitute healthier fare: Craving a Snickers?  Eat a banana.  Jonesing for some french fries slathered in mayonnaise?  Have some carrot sticks with fat-free ranch instead.  Dying for some cheesecake?  Have a piece of cardboard an energy bar instead.
9. Hide all the candy at work:  If this isn’t possible, at least move them to designated “candy stations” so you know what areas to avoid.
10. Read a book:  Huh?  I mean read a book instead of watching TV.  That way you’ll be spared from all those commercials from Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Sonic, and other fast food places.  That way you don’t get tempted to go out on a fast food binge.
11. Stop obsessing: There’s diligence and there’s OCD.  Stop getting on the scale 4-6 times a day to check your weight.  You’ll just drive yourself crazy.
12. Indulge once in a while:  As long as you practice moderation, it’s good to reward yourself from time to time with a treat here and there.  It makes you appreciate those decadent foods more no?
13. Mix things up:  There’s something to be said about routine, but routine can quickly turn in to monotony-which can lead to a slump.  Changing your routine from time to time ensures your workouts are never boring and keeps you motivated.
14. Stay the course:  There will be ups and downs that’s for sure.  But stick with it, it gets easier with time.  Soon you’ll look back and realize it was all a piece of cake.  Speaking of which…
15. Stay away from cake:  Tastes good, fills your waist. 

Thanks for reading.