I run a private practice for people who want to lose weight and get slim and it still amazes me that I get around five call a day asking if I supply `slimming pills`. I`ve now stopped trying to educate callers as to why they`re wasting their time and money with these pills, because they just don’t want to know.
The funny thing is, since I`ve studied psychology, I`m now looking at the reason behind this. We all know that popping pills to suppress our appetite and make us whiz round like crazy little ants, is never going to keep the weight off long term, as we`re not changing anything about our lifestyle or attitude towards food. The minute we come off the pills, we start to put the weight back on.
So why do people still insist on taking this route, knowing that it`s doomed to fail?
Or continuously embark on diet after diet, when every previous attempt has failed.
Harsh as it sounds, the reason is because they`re not that serious about losing weight.
I`ve had many clients scowl with rage when I`ve dared to suggest that they`re not really bothered about being slim. Yes they come to the sessions because it`s what they feel they should be doing, perhaps because of pressure from a friend or a loved one. But when they don’t lose weight, they can rush home and tell their family that they “can`t lose weight no matter what they do.” Then they get the sympathy and the pressure is off because at least they`ve tried.
I mean getting slim is seriously hard work and it takes a lot of commitment, but most folk are just too lazy to follow it through. The first time they feel like an extra portion of fries or that extra creamy dessert, all their willpower goes out the window and they give into the urge in a nano second.
This judgement of mine has been made after ten years of teaching hundreds of clients and hearing more excuses than I care to remember.
There is only one way to lose weight and gain a great body and that is to eat the right amount of calories for you body`s requirements. No ifs or buts or maybe, that`s the only way. You follow that rule and you get slim, you don’t and you remain over weight.
For anyone who is trying to get their weight down, my best advice would be – don’t make excuses, because you are not doing yourself any favors.
If you eat more than you should at any time, ask yourself why that happened. Analyze how you were feeling and what steps you could have taken to prevent it from happening. Plan ahead for the next time you are tempted and be prepared so that you behave in a way that will help you get slim.
Take responsibility and don’t blame your hormones, work schedule, lifestyle or anything that may prevent your weight loss. The buck stops with you and if you`re determined enough, the weight will come off.
