A lack of support is no excuse for failure
When it comes to committing to a healthier lifestyle, is it all up to you? Or do you need the support of those around you?
My first instinct is to say that you need the people around you to make a lifestyle adjustment, and our Registered Dietitian has recommended being vocal about engaging that support. I am not going to disagree with her. There is something to be said for making your intentions known, for sure. Letting your family and friends in on your weight loss goals can be an added benefit. I believe most people not only want to help, but could use the encouragement themselves.
Moreover, you can’t take that 6 A.M. kickboxing class if your husband won’t take the kids to school. If you try to have a salad for dinner every single night your teenaged son might disappear altogether.
Make up your mind and do it!
When my mother lost 55 lbs, she did it on her own but she explained to everyone what was going to happen—with or without them.
In doing so, she gained a walking buddy in her sister, a cook in my father as he started preparing meals a couple nights a week, and I sent her friendly tips and recipes when I found them. She could have, and would have, lost the weight no matter what because she had the will power and determination.
Of course, think having her family behind her made her feel a lot better about her choice. She didn’t have to worry about guilt (over things like not cooking everyone dinner) and she got to focus on herself. But we all saw that she was determined no matter what.
You have to prepare for success.
I learned very quickly that the success of my weight loss journey was going to be up to me.
Preparing for success meant preaparing to do battle in a world where there are always going to be dinners out, sugary snacks at the office, stubborn family members unwilling to change, and—this was the tough part—envious friends. None of these potential roadblocks changed the fact that I had made my decision and was going to be healthy.
I would eat an apple with peanut butter before going to parties. I made sure I had healthy snacks on hand at work. And I took the time to research recipes my boyfriend would love despite my healthier approach to cooking them. Really, it’s all about preparing to do it no matter what, and hoping you get some help along the way:
Can I fit anything else in here?
Do not go anywhere hungry.
Not the grocery store, not the corporate retreat, not into a restaurant or bar. Keep healthy snacks with you at all times so you can feel good about knowing you won’t go hungry, no matter where you are. I must say, OurSkinny Mini Meals are an absolute blessing in these situations.
Wait for it.
I can’t begin to tell you the countless number of times I have eaten and said, “I am still hungry”. Give your body 10 minutes and see if you still feel the same. I’ve never been one for patience but I never feel quite so famished if I just wait…
Substitute and create.
Don’t shock your family by going from homemade lasagna to sprouts and vegan hot dogs. One of the best (and most fun) parts of dieting for me are my dinnertime creations. Light Sour Cream on the side, homemade dressings, ground turkey over spaghetti with homemade sauce, flank steak wraps… the possibilities are endless.
Not very creative? We will work on that together … I promise. More recipes to come, plus recommended resources. But in the meantime, just google “healthy” + two ingredients you’d like to use. (Warning: common sense is needed here. If it says “healthy” and calls for 3 sticks of butter, it isn’t the right article for you.)
There will always be something to stand in your way (if you let it).
We are talking about life after all. If you don’t have the support you need around you because of an uncaring (or clueless) spouse or disinterested coworkers, find it.
The gym itself is a support system in-waiting. Renew your membership if you’ve let it lapse. Spend more time there if you haven’t spent any at all. Try a group class if you have not already. The instructor of any step class, for instance, should be able to make some suggestions—engage her after class.
The OurSkinny Weight Loss Program is support-focused as well—with every order, you get a call from one of our coaches in order to get you on the right track (and keep you chugging along down it). If not Ourlife, find a program with a similar support component (we’ll always be here for you if you have trouble finding one where you live).
More ideas: get a friend to join you on your journey, start a walking group in your neighborhood, or find a support forum online to vent your frustrations and gain insight and tips.
No matter what, it’s you, your body, your health that matters. It may be frustrating that your family inadvertently (or even directly) sabotages you, but it is up to you to get what you need to succeed. Someone very wise once told me, “Ultimately, it has to be you that does it—no one else can do it for you.” Once you embrace that, support from others becomes far less important. And when someone says “You look great, how did you do it?” you can smile and say “I did it all by myself.”