Getting started on your healthy habits

Think positive. Believe that you will lose weight. You have to really want it for it to happen. You must do it for yourself, not for anyone else. Think about yourself, your physical and mental well being. Imagine a slimmer, fitter you; it always works. Take some pictures of yourself and put them up around the house. Put one on the refrigerator door, it will serve as a constant reminder and will strengthen your resolve to loss weight. Looking at the picture every once in a while during the course of your programme will inspire you to continue.

Close your eyes and imagine yourself, the way you want to look. Do this as often as possible, self-visualation is a very powerful tool. Give it a try, everything is worth a try. Imagine yourself getting around without getting out of breath, no more pulled muscles, no more indigestion. People smiling at you, the way you look, as you walk by. Treat yourself every once in a while. Put a little money away every time you resist a food craving and then go and splurge on something that will make you feel special, like a new outfit or make-up. Remember, you are losing weight for more than just your appearance. You are losing it for the experiences that will come after you have achieved your goal. Always stay focussed on why you are doing it. The beauty of the whole experience is that you will never know how good it feels until you get there.

Hints for recording weight : Always use the same weighing scale so you get an accurate measure of your progress.

Make sure you weigh yourself before eating and after going to the bathroom.

The first thing to do in the morning is to weigh yourself.

Water retention is a common problem for women before their periods, so don’t get discouraged if you tend to lose less weight during that time of the month. It is only temporary.