I had heard all the reasons to eat healthier – and you have too! But I wasn’t motivated enough to make the change. I love hamburgers, fries, pizza, Mountain Dew, Oreos, and ice cream – and who doesn’t like Chick-Fil-A?!
But here are 4 things that finally motivated me to change my diet:
1. My Sister. Almost a year ago, I was visiting my family in the DC area. My oldest sister greeted me by poking me in the stomach and asking me when I was due. You’ve gotta love older sisters! I’ll never forget it – that’s for sure!
2. Focus and energy. Last year, I noticed that I occasionally struggled to focus on projects and maintain a consistent energy level throughout the workday. I experimented with taking walks, working out midday, stand-up desk – you name it. Nothing helped.
Then I came across the book, Train your Brain to Get Happy. So I read it. Well…I almost quit reading it after the first few chapters – It was the most scientific description of the brain and how it works that I had ever read. Looking back, I’m glad I kept reading.
The middle section of the book detailed thinking and focus exercises. Then, ironically, the last third of the book gave detailed instructions about diet. I’m like you – I questioned whether the diet thing really could improve my focus and energy.
You can read the detailed recommendations from the book and how I changed my eating and shopping habits in my post, Your Diet is Killing You.
After reading the book, I mentioned the diet-focus-energy concept to a friend who told me to let him know if it worked. So I decided to try it.
Well, it didn’t work for me. Several weeks later I was still struggling with focus and my energy level – BUT I was 7 pounds lighter! That’s when it got interesting…
3. Cardio workout. One morning I woke up with the urge to start running – I had never run more than a mile. That morning I ran 3 – cold turkey! I loved it. I ran 3 miles the next day. And the next – 5 days that week I ran 3 miles.
For several months, I ran 3 miles 3-4 times a week. Then it got cold outside – and since I’m a wimp, I got an elliptical. Now I work out on the elliptical 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes and do low intensity workouts at least 2 days a week.
You can read more about my cardio workut in my post, 4 Benefits of Running I Never Considered Before.
4. Sarah and Madison. This is what made it all work – and it’s the only way you will be able to change your diet and lose weight and keep it off. In the midst of experimenting with the diet and taking up running, I was evaluating my life and work priorities.
My wife and daughter are special to me – I love our time together. And I want to enjoy a long, healthy life with them. But I’m 7 years older than my wife – and 31 years older than my daughter. (We have a son on the way too! – I’ll be 39 years older than him.)
I realized that if I was going to maximize my time with my family, I needed to change my health habits. This made all the difference in the world.
So I don’t eat healthy to show off my six-pack – I’m pretty sure I only have a one-pack. My reason for working out is not to relieve stress and improve focus and energy – although it has helped more than the diet. Today, I am choosing a healthier lifestyle because my family is a top priority to me. And since this significant life change is attached to an outcome with lasting impact, I am significantly more likely to stick with it.
A nice bonus – in just over 12 months I lost more than 30 pounds and reached my doctor-recommended weight.
BONUS: I’m so committed to helping you succeed in your life and work that we developed the Personal Life Plan Guide just for you! I want you to enjoy the freedom and clarity that comes from identifying your top priorities and I want you to avoid the struggles that I faced personally. Purchase the Guide – 50% Off!Question: Have you made significant changes to your diet? What made it work for you? Join the conversation in the comments.
I’m consistently losing weight since I started eating more whole unprocessed foods and no soft drinks. I don’t have to eat anything I don’t like and I get to eat lots of foods I love. It’s the first diet that’s ever worked for me, and it isn’t even a diet.
I lost 40lbs four years ago and have gained it all back. I have tried many times this year to lose the excess weight but so far lack the discipline to do so.
Thanks for connecting Shawn! Its hard to maintain once you’ve come to a healthy weight. There are no more exciting weight losses at that point. Accountability is most important. I still need someone who will at least occasionally ask me how my workout was that morning or why am I ordering that on the menu. Don’t give up, just give yourself some/more accountability.
Good for you! It makes a huge difference and you have all the right reasons here. I had the same revelation a few years back. At 41, I weighed 215 pounds. Dad died of diabetes at 54 and I already had high blood pressure. Fast forward to now, 7 years later… I weigh 142 this morning and I exercise seven days per week. I didn’t eliminate all of the good things from my diet, I just log everything now so I can plan my food day sensibly. You can see my whole story and learn all I did differently at http://www.affluentstudent.com/the-behaviors-that-helped-me-lose-25-pounds/
Thanks so much for sharing your story. Keeping a record of my food intake has been helpful for me also.
I am the older sis and honestly don’t remember saying this. I am glad to see that it motivated you to make some good lifestyle changes. (Please forgive me for my mean comment though.) I want to keep you around for a long time too. :o) It is always the small choices to do better that motivate bigger choices down the road to do even more. Very proud of you.
Funny that you just saw this – I wrote it a couple of years ago. And I didn’t think you were being mean. 😉
How interesting. I have five kids and am 40 years older than the youngest who is in high school. A visit to my doctor last year and the diagnosis of diabetes convinced me that I had to change my diet and exercise if I expected to enjoy my grandkids (and not one of my children is even in a relationship currently). So I would have to agree the FAMILY motivation has been the thing I could point back to this past year and stay on track. Still walking/running 5+ times a week early morning. And making healthy eating choices every chance I get… I lost about 25 lbs (but have put some back on in the last few months) Not to worry… Every meaningful accomplishment is bound to have a minor setback or two.
I appreciate you sharing your experience. And I agree – setbacks happen! Enjoy your weekend!
I love the Lose It App. It really helps to gain perspective and it is so easy to use. Great post, thanks.
Its perfect for us – tracks “everything”! It would be difficult to stay on track without it. Thanks for sharing!