Lose weight, get in shape and stay fit forever

Copyright © 2008 Melina Kunifas

The hidden secrets of weight loss success

Have you tried all sorts of different diets and exercise programs to lose weight and get in shape, but found that they didn't work, or that they didn't last? If so, I'm not surprised. And the reason I am not surprised is because there is one thing that is totally missing from every diet and weight loss program that has ever been created. I'll share this secret with you in a moment, but first let me ask you this: when you first start losing weight, how do you feel? Do you feel excited, proud of yourself?

Next question I need to ask you is what do you feel when you notice that you've already fallen off the wagon and you are going right back where you were, or maybe even gaining another extra 5 pounds? Do you feel , angry with yourself, do you feel like a failure and just feel like eating even more?

What happens when we first start a new diet or exercise program? We get fired up, and might even throw away the foods we know are not good for us. We feel motivated!

But let me tell you a bit about motivation. Motivation comes in two flavors: "Pure Motivation" and "Dirty Motivation". Pure Motivation is based on love and appreciation. We want to look good, and feel energized and healthy. Dirty motivation on the other hand, is based on fear and hatred: we are afraid of looking bad and are worried about failing. We want to change because we hate the way we look.

And what I have to share with you in a moment is a break through secret no other weight loss program teaches you. They all talk about the foods you need to avoid, the portions you need to eat, the exercises you need to perform, maybe even a pill you need to take.

However the secret to lose weight, get fit and stay fit forever lies on getting rid of the dirty motivation and becoming purely motivated. Once you make peace with yourself, start appreciating and loving yourself for who you truly are, increase your level of confidence and self-esteem (which many times is not even related to our weight), then any diet or program will work. Even those that you've already done in the past that worked for a little while will start working consistently.

I have been there. I know your pain really well. I've struggled all my life trying to get in shape because I hated the way I looked. I was always trying to lose weight to fit in, feel successful and raise my self-esteem. However, once I started to raise my self-esteem and confidence, the weight began to drop off and stay off. Today I exercise and eat well because I just love it!!!

Does that seem like an impossible mission or a dream? Or maybe it sounds simplistic and cheesy...whatever your reaction is, rest assured, it works.

So here are a few tips to lose weight, get in shape and stay fit forever:

1. Stop dieting for a while. Does that sound strange and scary? I am not saying you should go straight to the fridge and start eating everything you see in front of you. For many of us, diet means punishment. Right now we are learning how to love and appreciate ourselves, so it's not time for beating ourselves up.

2. Make a list of all the advantages and positive emotions of eating too much. You heard me right! There are pros about keeping a bad habit, otherwise we would have stopped already. We need to identify these advantages, so we can fill our needs with new good habits.

3. Buy nice clothes. Don't wait until you lose the weight to start dressing nicely. You don't have to go crazy and buy the whole store. Buy a few outfits that you really love and wear them, no matter what size you are. Seeing ourselves in sweat pants and a t-shit everyday does not help build a positive self-image.

4. Buy and wear sexy lingerie. Get a few pieces that make you feel sexy, even if no one else sees it. Feeling sexy under our clothes only helps to raise our confidence.

5. If you happen to eat too much, do not feel guilty. Take a notebook and write down what feelings you had right before you started eating. Embrace those feelings and realize that they are not there to destroy you, but to show you what needs to be addressed in your life.

6. Keep a success journal. Write down every success you had that day, no matter how small it may seem. It could be flossing (if that's a pain for you), eating more salad, cleaning your desk, and so forth. Also all write down the great stuff around you that you are grateful for (we've got way more than we think).

7. Last but not least, treat yourself as you would treat your best friend. We don't expect from them what they cannot do. We don't go on lecturing them about all their shortcomings. Instead, we give them some slack for mistakes. We cheer their success and acknowledge their qualities. And that's exactly what you want to do for yourself!

And remember this: we don't have the past or the future. All we have right now is the present. So start enjoying the journey, for happiness is not at the end of the road, but in every step we take.

About The Author:

Melina Kunifas is a Life Coach and Speaker who’s struggled all her life with weight and self-esteem issues. Now in a very comfortable place with herself, she thrives on helping others achieve the same. For more information, contact her at melina@coachingconfidence.com or at 1-866-774-8317, or visit her at: http://www.coachingconfidence.com

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Tags: weight loss, dieting, diets, diet, losing weight, weight loss success, weight loss motivation, exercise, dieting and exercise