Committed

Recently I picked up the latest edition of "Triathlete Magazine" and was immediately drawn to the article by Matt Fitzgerald entitled “Race Shape Ready?” (http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/02/nutrition/race-shape-ready_47061) in which he discusses how to find the right diet and how to be successful in achieving goal weight by race day. He also cites the National Weight Control Registry which is essentially a database of “the biggest losers”–people who have successfully lost 30 pounds or more, and more importantly, have kept it off for one year or more.  Research conducted on this group shows that common behaviors included daily exercise, dietary consistency and self-monitoring, all evidence of real commitment.  In addition, it was observed that no one achieved immediate success but instead had failed several times before hitting their stride because “people succeed in losing weight when they are psychologically ready and fail when they are not ready.” 

The article goes on to explain several types of diets that work, giving the reader options to finding the ideal diet for themselves. “The Paleo Diet” most resembles what I’ve been following these past few months which “allow their adherents to eat everything that our ancient ancestors presumably ate—meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and nuts—and little that they did not eat: grains, dairy, sweets and other processed foods.”

This was really encouraging to me and really reinforced that I was on the right track so far.  So to make it more real and solidify achieving my goal, I wanted to add an extra layer and challenge myself even further. I mean it’s one thing to say, “I want to lose weight” but it’s another to actually quantify it. OK, so here goes (and I expect anyone reading this to hold me accountable):

1. I want to achieve my target weight. That would require a total of 40 pounds shed (but luckily I’m already ¼ of the way there)!
2. I would like to qualify for the National Weight Control Registry. Not only do I want to take it off, but I also want to KEEP it off … permanently.
3. I want to make the “wall of fame” at my gym. This is an inspiring showcase of all the people who have achieved their goals evidenced by before and after pictures.

As Fitzgerald later adds, “like it or not, if you’re serious about losing weight, there are no days off!”