Losing Weight is Powerful Discipline
Losing weight is a powerful discipline because it takes us out of our comfort zone. Most people do not track their weight and very few are on a conscious course to lose consistent weight. Last year I lost 40 pounds after having put on 15 pounds during the pandemic.
At 205 pounds, I decided that I wanted to get back to my high school weight of 175 pounds. I knew it would take dedication, strong drive, and supreme discipline. The first three weeks are the most difficult because we have cravings.
Starting the Process
Three things should start the process. Drinking lots of water is mandatory to lose weight. We should drink half our body weight in ounces so a 200-pound person drinks 100 ounces of water. We eliminate all the bad foods which begins with sugar and fatty foods like from fast food restaurants. Upping our exercise helps the process but is not necessary.
After 3 weeks my cravings were gone then it became quite easy. I enjoyed the routine and losing one to two pounds a day. Our metabolism fights hard to hold onto weight so we have leveling off periods where we don’t lose weight. It’s alright, just stick to the discipline.
As I lost weight, I started feeling better and enjoyed being lighter not to mention my clothes feeling larger. The routine begins with a weigh in every morning. Keep track of the foods you eat during the day, which can be done in your mind. Depending on the weigh in, you can decide if yesterday’s routine and foods were good or have to be changed.
Once I hit my high school weight, I decided I wanted to keep going. I liked the challenge and the routine. I dropped to 160 pounds. Now going on a year later my weight is only about 5 pounds more. I weigh in every day and create the daily diet that maintains or loses weight. My goal is still to lose weight and get back to the 160 pounds.
I like the discipline of planning my meals and avoiding the obvious weight gainers. If I go drinking with my friends, I put on 2 pounds. I have learned to drink a small amount and watch what I eat when I am drinking, I feel better for it. I have mostly stopped drinking.
As a surfer, I am more agile at lighter weight with much better popups. As a bike rider and hiker, I have better oxygen uptake from being lighter. My clothes fit great, and I love wearing smaller pants. With exercise and weight loss, your face becomes more athletic looking. You can tell by looking at someone’s face that they are fit and probably exercise.
Weight is the first contributor to most of the diseases that can be prevented. Diabetes, heart problems, cardiovascular issues often begin with excess weight. If feeling good, health, and longevity are priorities, then being light is the best medicine.
You can determine your proper body weight by Googling Body Mass Index Calculator and filling in your height and weight. It will tell whether you are underweight, normal, overweight, obese, or extremely obese. You can then target the weight that puts you in the middle range of normal and aim to maintain it.
Maintaining normal weight is a big influence on your self-esteem. Discipline is a tool that can be aimed at any objective. Persistence in pursuing a goal requires discipline and drive. If you have the discipline to lose weight, you can achieve any goal.
You Must Have a Strong “Why”
The other major secret is the “why” of why you are doing it. The “why” will get you through the tough times. You will have to lean on it often at the beginning. If your “why” is weak, you won’t make it. But this is the same with any goal. If your “why” is not strong, you will not stay committed and you will quit.
Simon Sinek wrote a book called “Why”. He says it is the most important factor for pursuing any goal. Some leaders will ask their people to understand why they are doing what they do. Blake Makofsky who started a philanthropic capitalist shoe company, gave a pair of shoes for every pair sold to kids in Argentina so they could go to school. Knowing this was a requirement for these kids is why he started the company. He made a fortune and the why was clear to all his customers who wanted to pitch in and help.
It would be a great duo to find something you want to achieve, understand the why, and then have the discipline to make it happen. Losing weight will get your machine rolling and ready for the next challenge.
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As a Thriving Worker Consultant, I can engage in conversations with employers on how to begin the process of helping workers thrive and reach peak performance. It begins with a conversation to see how far an organization is willing to go to change the culture for workers.
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