Glenbrooke News

The Wt. Loss Minute By Linda Spangle, RN, MA; Author:100 Days of Weight Loss; www.WeightLossJoy.com

Usually we make New Year’s Resolutions on January 1st, and then spend the year trying to make them happen. Here’s a new way to motivate yourself without the typical resolution drop out. This year, instead of creating a list of goals you plan to work on, I want you to pretend you’ve already achieved them.

Reverse New Year's Resolutions

Yes, it sounds rather silly and perhaps impossible. But for the moment, let’s assume you’ve reached your goal weight, conquered your emotional eating habits, and built a strong fitness level.

Mentally fast-forward to one year from now. Picture in detail how you want to look, feel and live, now that you’ve met the goals you want to achieve. Next, I want you to write these things down as if they’ve already happened. You can be realistic as you create your list, but don’t be afraid to dream big.

Wow! I look great!

In your notebook or on a piece of paper, write “The date now is _________, and here’s what I’ve accomplished.” Then fill in the blank with today’s month and day exactly one year from now.

For each of the following statements, write an answer based on what you’d like to see happen in your life.

I now weigh: (record the weight you desire and believe is realistic one year from now)

My body feels: (use words such as strong, healthy, slender, thinner, toned, flat, etc.)

I’m exercising by: (examples include walking, biking, three to four times per week)

I’m pleased with: (perhaps things such as expressing emotions, self-nurturing, body changes, new attitude, etc.)

I’ve learned: (spell out your biggest challenges such as how to cope with stress, ways to manage emotional eating, etc.)

One sentence that describes my life today: (Dream big on this one!)

Read it out loud!

After you complete your statements, read your resolutions out loud. How do you feel as you hear yourself describing your future? Does it sound possible? Wonderful? Scary? Are you skeptical this outcome will ever happen?

Of course, you have work to do between now and next year, but the picture you’ve just created can absolutely come true. For the next week, keep your Reverse New Year’s Resolution list where you can read it every day. Each time you read those words, you’ll reinforce your potential to make them a reality.

Julie’s Resolutions

Julie wanted to lose 50 pounds. Over the past several months, she’d been allowing her emotions to ruin her diet plan. She had also stopped exercising and couldn’t seem to get started again. Last spring, she created her Reverse New Year’s Resolution.

The date is: April 2010 and here’s what I’ve accomplished:

I now weigh: 140 pounds.
My body feels: Light, strong and toned.
I’m exercising by: Walking 20 minutes a day, five or six
days a week.

I’m pleased with: The way I’ve learned to nurture myself without using food to do it. Also my ability to express my feelings to my husband and kids.

I’ve learned: I don’t need to eat every time I want to feel better. Now I reach for my list of things to do instead of eating and use other ways to improve my day.

My life today:  I’m thrilled that I’m maintaining my goal weight, managing my emotions in ways that don’t involve food, and feeling a lot more at peace in my life.

Julie was amazed at how motivated she felt after reading her resolution. Seeing the goals as if they’d already happened inspired her to get back on track. The best part is that Julie has already achieved most of the things on her list.

You don’t have to wait until January to write a “Reverse New Year’s Resolution.” I recommend you do one whenever you need a boost to your motivation. Holding a vision of how your life will be in the future provides great motivation to push forward with your goals.

Want to comment on this ezine? Click 'Reply' and send me a note. If you like, send me your Reverse New Year's Resolution list. I'd love to see your future picture.

*Reprinted with permisssion from Linda Spangle

© Linda Spangle, 2010. #0110, Weight Loss for Life, Inc.
5023 W. 120th Ave. #183, Broomfield, CO 80020
Contact: Linda@WeightLossJoy.com
www.weightlossjoy.com
303-452-1545 or 1-800-298-3020