I wanted to pop in your email box today to talk about weight loss and happiness.
We all have this grand idea that we'll be happy when.....
And that's just a myth that we tell ourselves.
Because even when we lose the weight - then what?
I see many who recreate the diet cycle because once they get to goal, then they feel "now what?"
It's important to start LIVING your life where you are.. no matter what.
YES, you want to lose the weight.
YES, you want to feel awesome in your body.
YES, you want to DO things that make you happy and make your soul sing.
YES, you want to be confident and courageous.
These things don't happen overnight.. and even with the weight loss.. FEAR still steps in.
FEAR still has something to say inside your ear... FEAR still whispers all the things you can't or won't do.. and if you listen you'll give in to this voice.
On the other hand, you have a choice.. you have a choice to....
START living... and STOP waiting.. start doing the things that make you happy NOW.
Even small baby steps count!
So, on this weight loss journey, start living as though you're already there.
Start asking yourself.. "what will that future me be like? what would he/she do?"
And.. start living like that person.
Otherwise the future you won't come to fruition because the CURRENT you might still be hanging on to old habits, uncomfortable feelings, and still listening to that overwhelming voice of fear..
It's time you step outside your comfort zone and take action..
Here's my 5 step solution.
1. Decide who you want to be, or what you want to do - Decide what excites you and what will make you happy!
2. Then make a plan to do that thing - or a baby step to it. If you've always wanted to surf but live in Michigan, maybe you'll start by learning how to balance and visualize being on the ocean. Maybe you'll take a yoga class. Start where you are.. No matter what - make the plan.
3. Take a step. Do something. Instead of just living inside your head or inside the visualization or THINKING about taking a class - go take the class - actually sign up for it! This will really get you excited because you'll be moving in the direction of your desires.
4. Commit to make it a practice. Don't just do it once.. do it again and again. This raises your happiness level because you are becoming who you want to be! One of my clients said that she wanted to be a yoga teacher. She didn't even do yoga at the time. Two years later, she's finally taking her 200hour teacher training. Dreams do happen.
5. Reflect. Don't just do it once, or make it a practice. Reflect and see what's going well, or what's not going well. Maybe your vision didn't make it into reality. Maybe you really hate canoeing even though you thought you'd love it. That's okay. Find something else that makes your soul sing. Maybe you love painting, or maybe you're ready for a career change. Maybe you want to take up dodge ball or something active. Or maybe you'll finally get involved with the youth group at your church because they inspire you to be better, do better, and teach them to be better and do better. No matter what, reflect and shift into the direction you want to go.
What does this have to do with weight loss surgery?
A lot!
So many people prior to surgery give up their dreams, sink into despair, and hide away in their homes. Living a FULL life, is what having surgery is all about. It goes beyond the weight, and helps you to lose the weight because when your focus is all on the food, you still aren't fully living. When you shift your focus to LIVING FULLY, you start to BECOME who you want to be, and the food is nourishment, instead of the main stimulus or main theme in your life.
It's time to pivot. It's time to be happy. And.. it's time to figure out what that means for you.
I hope this email serves you well this week.. It's a deep dive into YOU and into your mind.
You know what excites you, and it's time to start exploring that for you.