One Family's Weight Loss Journey: Joe Rich's Tips

As the family begins their family weight loss journey they may want to start with looking at what are each of their “goals” and what is their personal “motivation” in these early stages. 

Initially one needs to realize that goals differ from motivation.  Goals are the destination for the journey - where I’d like to drive to, work towards;  get to (or close to!) as I begin.  Motivation is the “gas” for the journey, the how I’m going to fuel the journey, get energized, keep going, tell myself to encourage and stay focused along the way.

Goals look like this:
I’d like to lose 30 pounds.
I’d like to be thinner for my sister’s wedding.
I would like to stop shopping in the “larger women’s section”.
I’d like to shop in the regular women’s section.
I’d like to live longer; be healthier, enjoy my kids and grandkids on the rinks, in the yard and for a lot longer!

Motivation looks like this:
I’d like to prove to myself that I can finally do this or at least try.
I’d like to show those who doubt me or think I can’t do this that I have!
I’d like to feel like I “walk the walk and talk the talk” of looking after myself.

You need goals to know where you are going.  Most goals are hard work and that means “uphill” on the journey.  If you can know your motivation, getting gassed up for the tough spots is a lot easier.  In the end, it’s the journey, not the destination, that we will remember and use to build self-esteem and self-acceptance and we’ll regret not trying more than failure every time!