Q and A
The following are some questions and answers I addressed during the period that "Liberate Yourself From Weight Gain" was being developed:
Q: I dream of losing 75 pounds over and over again. I start the new diet, whatever it might be, and lose 20 to 30 pounds. Then I stop and think I'll never lose 75 pounds. I quit, go back to my old eating habits and gain it back and sometimes even more. Am I a loser? Can I succeed?
A: You are not a loser. You need to change your whole approach to weight loss. You may have an overall goal of losing 75 pounds, but plan your weight loss in small increments of 5 pounds at a time. As you pass each milestone, celebrate and then try the next five. If you stand still at 25 pounds, stop there for a while, maintain the weight loss and then continue when you are ready. But do not forget the overall goal of losing 75 pounds. For one positive thought, to just drop 110 calories a day will result in about a pound a month in weight loss.
Q: I can't lose weight because I get sick after a while. I really cut down on what I eat and do lose weight but then I get colds or feel real run down. What's wrong here and what do you suggest?
A: You need to talk to your family doctor or a nutritionalist to get an appropriate diet. It sounds like you are not getting enough nutrients and could be risking your health. Like a car needs gas and a garden needs water and sun, your body needs healthy, nutritious and sufficient food to live in a healthy way. The problem with crash diets is what is happening to you. You also might have a physical problem that your family doctor could find out. However, it is most likely you are not getting sufficient and appropriate amounts of food and nutrients for your bodily needs.
Q: Every time I look in the mirror, I hate myself. How could this fat person looking at me in the mirror ever lose weight? What do you think?
A: You need an image in your mind of the real you. The "you" you plan to be. The "you" you have even hidden from yourself. You need to see the image in the mirror as an imposter who has taken over you and you are going to put out of business. You can and will do it. Begin the change and never look back.
Q: I can't stay on a diet for long. I even try to demand it of me and tell myself I must never not follow my diet plan. I do it for a few weeks at most until I fail. Then I get discouraged and say the heck with it and just stay off it. Whats wrong with me and what can I do?
A: Nothing is wrong with you other than you are seeking perfection in yourself. You must not give up after you fail a time or periodically on your diet. No! You must pick yourself up emotionally and try not to do it again. Then you have a chance for success. No one became a good baseball player by quitting after a strikeout.
Q: I always fail when we go out to eat. I say I won't but temptation overcomes me and I eat way too much. I sometimes even cut a steak or slab of lasagna in half and plan to take it home. I still often eat it all. Do I have to stay home?
A: No, you do not! With Americans eating a third of our meals out in a growing trend, it is easy to eat too much and also often eat unhealthy fast foods. On top of this, restaurant portions have been getting bigger over the past 30 years. The following are some strategies to use:
- Order half of your dinner be put in the doggie bag before it is brought to your table.
- Check out menus before you go out to make sure there are nutritious and healthy foods on the menu.
- Ask for something to be baked or grilled rather than cooked in oil or another less healthy manner.
- Even the most popular fast food restaurants now often have salads or other relatively healthy foods if you must eat fast food.
- Decide how much of the dessert will go in the doggie bag before it is brought to you if you feel you must have it.