20 Years of Experience

I’ve worked for 20 years in the healthy living/weight loss industry, and I’ve learned a few things to be true. This has also been my own personal experience.

You must have a strong WHY to accomplish your health and fitness goals. If you don’t have a very strong why, you will never do the work it takes to become and stay a healthy and fit person. I assume this goal is not temporary, and “for life” is a very long time. We do everything for one of 2 reasons: the avoidance of pain or the pursuit of pleasure. I have met most of you because that last straw moment was painful enough for you to walk through the door at Weight Watchers or GISFW (a big step). However, if your why doesn’t turn positive, when the pain isn’t as strong, you will give up. So, if you got the news from your doctor that you must be on medication, because you are overweight and eat unhealthy foods, you may be shocked into action. But as you get used to taking a pill everyday, or maybe you even get off the medication, because of the diet changes, the pain starts to fade and it gets harder to say no to the cheesecake. You must find a positive WHY. Then focus on how wonderful this journey is (eating delicious fruits and veggies, having tons of energy and getting a good night’s sleep), and not just on the destination; what you do to get to your goals is what you have to keep doing to stay there.

Bottom line, what does a healthy lifestyle get you? Put that reason on your refrigerator, snack cabinet, bathroom mirror and computer screen and let those you love know too so that they can support you as well.

Another thing I learned is that you must get rid of the obstacles that are stopping you from living your best healthy life. I know you know what’s getting in your way. You tell me all the time: “I don’t cook”; “I never have healthy food in the house”; “I drink or eat too much at restaurants”. {fill in your issue} They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so solve the problem. I’m not saying your obstacles aren’t difficult to overcome-that’s why they’re obstacles-but unless nothing changes, well, nothing changes. But there is a big difference between difficult and impossible.

OK, the last one. All my WW members know that I love analogies. I will miss wearing my outfits and using my props when I do my entrance. Here is one of my favorite stories I like to tell, especially to those members who have come back to see me:

I have this friend and she met this guy, John. He was perfect for her, a soul mate. They had so much in common and could talk for hours. He was kind and supportive and made her laugh. Six months later I called her to see how things were going with John and she said she broke up with him. What? It made no sense.

Back to you…So far, everyone at at WW or GISFW loves being there. You love how you feel. Enjoy what you eat and love how it make you feel. Love the workouts, or are getting to like them more. Your energy is high, cholesterol is lower and clothes are fitting better. But somewhere in the back of your mind, you think this is temporary. I’ll tell you this: NO ONE has ever left me, strayed from her healthy lifestyle, gained weight and said that she’s so glad that she left. We are here to help you, so don’t leave us! I have a mechanic, a tax accountant and doctor. They are the experts that I turn to. I still have to do the work, but they give me guidance and accountability. For my WW members, this has been a wonderful experience and thank for sharing your success with me. I am not going anywhere, though. I will still be at lindadf@comcast.net or you can visit me at Get In Shape For Women in Danvers at 110 Newbury St. I hope to see you soon.