It’s different for everyone and it’s going to change over time. Keep that in mind. I’ve said it many many times. The journey I took is different from the one Willie took and will be different from the one many people take. A lifestyle change is about developing new habits. In our case, our lifestyle change was about developing HEALTHIER habits than what we did before. McDonald’s drive thru and movie marathons for the weekend soon became weekend running and enjoying a good healthy meal.
Losing 100+ pounds takes time and commitment. That has to come from within yourself. No one else is going to walk on the treadmill for you. No one else is going to make sure you’re eating the right foods. No one else is going to care about it as much as you will care about it!
That’s why I recommend everyone losing the weight for the right reasons and for yourself. Don’t do it for anyone else but YOU! It’s a personal journey. Correction: It’s a hard personal journey. There is a lot of social sacrifices. There is a lot of getting to know who you are. There is a lot of breaking yourself down TO BUILD YOURSELF BACK UP! That’s why you have to have your own motivations that are personal to you to keep pushing when things don’t go the way you want. But most importantly, you need your own motivations to celebrate your successes along the way.
So what do I mean about the journey being different? My journey led me to running and being active. I love to be outside. I love running, working out, hiking, biking, traveling to do these things, etc. That is a deep rooted in my being now. I spend hours in the gym or at home working out! Fitness has is a huge deal to me and that’s why I wanted to become a group fitness instructor! I spend times blogging about running my races because that is where my journey has led me. It’s my motivation to keep going in a positive direction. It’s a strong reason why I’m able to stay healthy and keep my weight off.
On the other hand, Willie’s journey has led him to cooking! You know how much I talk about my endurance sports, he’s the same way about cooking. He’s into and he wants to cook good food that good for you. He’s really come a long way and found his passion. That’s why he blogs about what he blogs about.
And your journey will probably take you somewhere else. I know many people who have traveled down the weight loss road and have ended up in many different places. Some have discovered their love for yoga, Spartan Races, Zumba, vegan lifestyles, cooking, cycling, writing, photography…the possibilities are endless.
It’s a completely personal experience that can’t be forced or even advised. It’s a journey to build mental toughness, clarity, knowledge and perseverance.
For the people who want to make a lifestyle change, here are some tips:
1. Start small. It’s not going to happen immediately and it’s going to take some work. It’s totally worth it though. Don’t overwhelm yourself by setting too big of a goal too soon.
2. Gather your support. Make sure the people in your life understand what you are doing, where you’re hoping to go, and the steps you will need to get there. There will be people who won’t understand or won’t want you to get there. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with people who truly believe in you and won’t knock you down.
3. Have a plan and think ahead. Nothing happens without planning so make a plan for your weight loss journey. Figure out how many days you’re going to work out. Plan your meals a head of time. Don’t get stuck in a situation due to bad planning or not thinking ahead. Most importantly, stick to your plan!
4. Give it time. Change happens over time. Don’t expect too much too soon. Just keep working toward what you want, even if you’re not seeing the results. The results will come!
