The Journal of the American Medical Association reviewed what worked best for 7,286 people trying to lose weight. They concluded that the differences between different weight loss plans were so small that the best weight loss approach – the weight loss plan that works – is the one that you will stick with.
That’s no small thing.
Being able to stick with a way of eating, create and maintain new habits that will last, and do the things you need to do to make changes happen, can feel awfully challenging. I’m willing to bet that you could probably sketch out a plan right now that would cause you to lose weight – if you could stick with the plan.
Being able to “stick with” the plan is often the heart of the problem.
The weight loss plan that works has to be one you can implement – for the long haul.
Implementing weight loss plans and making lasting changes with overeating is complicated by just about everything that goes on in the rest of your life – none of which is addressed by even the best food plan or nutritional approach.
You’re busy. Unhealthy eating is fast, easy, and it provides quick, drive-thru comfort.
You’re stressed. Stress eating anyone?
You’re tired. It’s hard to DO the new habits, cook the healthy meals, take care of yourself in other ways than food. Oh, and sleep deprivation actually leaves you hungrier and craving sweets and carbs.
You already have a lot on your plate. Food can be a very convenient way to squeeze in a little reward, comfort yourself, or even quiet your busy mind.
You might even be mad or frustrated with yourself – and I don’t have to tell you that this alone can drive a girl to eat too much chocolate.
Making changes that will last requires being able to step back from all this, craft a different approach (one that fits in your life), and take those hardest, first action steps to get yourself moving (and motivated) on your new path.
That’s how you get a plan you will stick with – a plan that lead to a real weight loss plan that works. I call it the Where Thin Begins path.
Too often people (including the experts) make weight loss harder than it needs to be by ignoring all these challenges and instead, diving right into making food and fitness changes. When you do this, you’ve usually set yourself up to fail before you start.
The key to truly taking control of overeating is to turn the usual approach upside down. Instead of beginning by taking control of food, start by figuring out why food has the control (or the pull) that it has in your life.
What are the hidden hungers that you are using food to feed?
How does overeating help you cope, make life easier, or keep things moving in your life?
Getting these answers, and the tools and strategies to do things differently is the best first step you can take if you are serious about leaving your struggles behind forever. Then you’ll be able to take that weight loss plan and make it work for you.
Take good care,
