By Steve Siebolt
In the 1970’s, 80’s and early 90’s I was a physical specimen. Competing as an athlete at an international level, working out , and running 5 minute miles. But by 2002 I was a FAT-TUB-OF-LARD, 40 poulds overweight and getting fatter with every cheeseburger, pizza and doughnut I stufed into my fat face. I looked in the mirror every morning and felt disgusted and out of control. I felt like a has-been athlete that allowed years of discipline and training to slip away.
It’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and the holiday season. That means food – lots and lots of food. One weight loss expert says all that food doesn’t have to derail your diet – if you approach it the right way.
– 99% compliance on a diet is failure, even at the holidays! Sounds harsh, but if you’re going to get fit, it’s all or nothing. If you are in a committed relationship you wouldn’t cheat on your significant other just one time, so why would you cheat on something as important as your diet?
– Expect challenges such as cravings, and when this happens have a plan in place to push forward and stay compliant.
– Create a vision board filled with pictures of lean, fit and sexy people. Hang it in a very visible location. When you feel discouraged, feel like giving up, get the urge to eat bad or cheat on your diet, look at the vision board which will reinforce your health goals.
– Before you put anything in your mouth, always ask yourself, “How is this food going to impact my health?”
– If you’re on a diet during the holidays, don’t look at dieting as drudgery, but see it as a strategy for a lifetime to keep you healthy, looking good and feeling great.
– Developing a world-class self-talk may be the greatest mental toughness tool of all. This is one of the things that will really help you change your core beliefs about diets and exercise, and help you make it through the holidays.
– Find happiness in the holidays not from food, but in time spent with friends and family creating a lifetime of memories and new traditions.
– Realize that ultimately being fit and healthy is completely your responsibility, and blaming the holidays for your weight gain is just as bad as blaming other outside factors the rest of the year such as restaurants, the food manufacturers and portion sizes.
Steve Siebold is author of the international bestseller Die Fat or Get Tough: 101 Differences in Thinking Between Fat People and Fit People, and a mental toughness coach who has helped thousands of people lose weight.
Editor’s Note: For more tips on how to avoid gaining weight click here.