Acceptance. An Important Part of Change.

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Awareness, of course, is the first step in the change process. After all, if you’re not aware of something, how do you know if it needs to be changed? If (several) people hadn’t informed me that I spoke
VERY loudly, I wouldn’t have known. Because a number of people told me the same thing about the volume of my speech, I became aware that it was problematic. And because that feedback came from a
variety of sources (friends, spouse, professors), I accepted that it was true. (There’s a saying that goes, “If ten people tell you that you have a tail, you might want to turn around and take a look!”)

Acceptance can be an uncomfortable thing, depending on what we’re talking about. If ten people tell you are stunningly beautiful, well… acceptance is probably pretty easy! However, if ten people
tell you that you have a drinking problem… that may not be as easy to accept (especially if you can’t imagine your life without alcohol).

When it comes to weight loss, and especially when we talk about keeping weight off, people often struggle to accept some basic facts. In particular, people don’t want to accept that the “Gotta Do ‘Ems” are a permanent part of life for those committed to losing weight and remaining at a healthier weight.

The Gotta Do ‘Ems are the name I’ve given to those behavioral changes you’ve made in the past when you lost weight. The Gotta Do ‘Ems are the behaviors you need to accept as a way of life if you want to get to, and remain at, a healthier weight. The Gotta Do ‘Ems:

  • Make consistently healthy food choices

  • Maintain portion control

  • Exercise on a regular basis (think more days of the week than not)

  • Drink plenty of water

  • Eat breakfast

  • Plan your meals and follow your plan

  • Maintain food and exercise diaries

  • Get enough sleep

  • Utilize a healthy support system

  • (A bonus: Get therapy!)

You don’t have to LIKE the fact that the Gotta Do ‘Ems are the things you’re gonna have to do … but eventually you’ll have to ACCEPT the reality that these are behaviors you have to do in order to live at a healthy weight. But you’ve only gotta do these things if you truly want to get and stay healthier!

YOUR HEALTH. YOUR CHOICE. THIS DAY. EVERY DAY.