Kel
. Shakes are not the magic pill you think they are. Yes they will help you lose some weight, but your body doesn't like them, and your mind gets confused. So as soon as you start eating again you will gain the weight back, because your body is starving for nutrients.
The other day a friend asked me to reflect on what I've done that has made me succeed with my weight loss, and I came up with a list. I thought I would share it with you - because very little of it has to do with food (and that surprised me). Here it is:
1. Set goals - even if they change every day - it's important that you have something to be working toward. And make them SMART (small, measurable, achievable, realistic, with a timeframe).
2. Learn - know how much food you need, discover your relationship with food, and keep on learning.
3. Use your tools - scales, tape measure, clothes size… but never let them become your master. They are there to measure your progress - NOT your worth.
4. Eat the yummiest food you can afford - and include things that will fill your plate and your tummy. Don't ever deprive yourself of great food - and don't buy "diet food/low fat food". It's mostly high in salt, sugar and other crap, and not worth the trade off.
5. Discover the way that sleep, salt, stress and sickness impact on the scales.
6. Avoid exercise you don't like. Find creative ways to move - it all counts.
7. Real weight loss is slow. It's Michaelangelo chipping away at the Statue of David. Anything less patient, determined, honest and challenging is a cheap imitation.
8. Believe you are worth it. No matter what you have to do to shift your thinking, and to start believing in yourself - DO IT!
9. Don't wait for motivation - it contributes little to the journey. Weight loss is about a personal commitment, a promise to become the best person that you can.
10. Be the president of your own fan club. Don't do it for someone else, for a special event - outside influences will let you down. Become the 'special event' yourself.
yippee 
