weight management is a lifestyle –
not an event

by Rosa Smith-Montanaro

Making a permanent shift in your weight requires a completely different mindset than losing weight to fit into an outfit. The first question to ask yourself is: Are you willing to make a permanent shift, or only a temporary change?

A permanent shift is motivated by your overall desire to be healthy, and it serves you in many ways. You might prevent diabetes, heart disease, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, and other ills. You probably want to have more energy and vitality. When you focus on your health, you are mentally prepared for a major change for the right reasons, realizing that it will take a while before you see the fruits of your labor. The side benefit to this shift is that you will more than likely lose weight.

A temporary shift is motivated by a superficial reason, such as fitting into an outfit for a party. It only requires an inconvenience in your eating pattern until the weight leaves and the event is over. If this inconvenience is painful for you then it is only a matter of time before you return to your old eating pattern. This will result in weight gain and disappointment.

To make a long lasting change, you will need an overall goal of health. This in itself is not measurable. I would suggest defining health with specific milestones – for example, your body fat percentage will not exceed 28%, or your cholesterol will be under 205, etc. By changing your focus, your mindset will change and you will be willing to make the shifts necessary to reach your results. A year from now you will more than likely fit into that great outfit, while you have been lowering your cholesterol.

Decide today to create some goals to support a healthy lifestyle. Define what milestones you will strive for, and be specific. Then don’t look back.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rosa Smith-Montanaro is the CEO of MindOverPlatter.com, a virtual weight loss and wellness community. She is the author of the book Mind Over Platter® and is a national speaker.