Dieting? Are you serious? Many people talk a big game when it comes to losing weight, but how committed are they when it comes to making the effort?
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You can assess your own weight-loss efforts and initiative to get started by asking yourself a few questions. Are you waiting to get started? If you're waiting for a certain event or stressor to pass before getting started, then forget it. There will always be stress, birthdays, weddings, parties or other excuses that you're using. Don't put off getting healthy - you can take the stairs instead of the elevator right now, or bypass dessert today. Have you made yourself accountable? Telling someone that you plan to lose weight can give you that extra push to do it, because you've shared your desires with someone else - now it's "out there," and you'll have to answer for it.
When asking yourself if you're ready to lose weight, a smart question is "What can I no longer do that I used to enjoy?" If weight gain keeps you from traveling, playing with your kids or leaves you feeling winded after climbing a flight of stairs, then it's time to get serious. Be realistic.{relatedarticles}You may not be able to train for a marathon now, but climbing that flight of stairs without a ton of effort is a great, realistic goal in the interim. And speaking of limitations, if your weight is the culprit of chronic health issues like diabetes or heart disease, then it's time to get real. You can't lose weight while in a hospital bed, or worse yet, dead! Talk to your doctor about a plan.