Each year millions of women (and men) vow to lose weight. Apparently, only about 5% of them succeed for any length of time. From my observations, the ones that don’t succeed spend the rest of the year obsessing about their weight and their lack of weight loss success. How many more years of your life do you want to spend thinking about your weight, clothes size, number on a scale, or your next diet? What fabulous things are you missing out on because you’ve given so much of your energy to either dieting or cheating on your diet?
I’m insisting that these be your New Year’s resolutions from now until the end of time:
One: Resolve to let others live their lives and you actually live yours.
If you hear yourself saying, “My kids are my life” “My dog is my life” “Food is my life” who is living your life? Apparently it is not you. Let other people and things be in your life and you go have one of your own. In case you forgot, you can’t have much of a life if you are focused on food or lack thereof. Women, particularly mothers, seem to believe that others are more important than they are and thus get into the self sacrificing, miserable martyr doom loop. Don’t do it. No one wins in this scenario.
Two: Do one thing a day that scares you.
This, a direct quote from the very famous 21st century philosopher, the Lululemon bag. It’s actually a brilliant idea and will most likely keep you from obsessing about your diet or lack thereof. It will also guarantee that you succeed in resolution #1 (see above). What are you most afraid of? Asking for a raise, changing careers, working outside of the house, bungee jumping, writing your novel, dating, ending a relationship? Whatever it is, this is the year to do it. Nothing is as wonderful as moving past fear and finding that the other side is better than you could have imagined. Find your voice, conquer your fears, and you won’t need to bother with a diet.
Three: Figure out what makes you happy, fulfilled, and motivated then do it everyday.
This sounds simple but must not be because most people aren’t doing this. Women walk into my office weighed down with responsibilities, guilt, and overwhelm. Most of them haven’t even considered living their own dream. For some reason they don’t think they are worthy of it. That’s BS! You will be a better partner, parent, friend, professional, and human being if you take care of your own needs. So what is your dream and why aren’t you living it? What are you waiting for?
Continue reading the full article here…
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC