Discovering Super Hero Diet Will Power and Determination.

Wouldn’t it be nice if super heroes existed or a knight in shining armor could along and solve all our problems? Since that isn’t likely to happen any time soon, over the years I’ve learned I have to be my own Super Hero - especially when it comes to taking care of my health. Obviously I need to improve, but at least I’m working on it.

This involves getting all the necessary physicals and checkups as needed and learning to eat healthy and exercise. You can’t be a super hero without being as physically fit as you can be (or at least not wheezing climbing up a flight a stairs and wearing clothes that are 1x or larger).

At age 50, (will be 51 in Oct. of this year) - I am trying once again to lose weight (still over 100 lbs. to go) - this is going to take super hero will power and determination to stick with the losing weight program for a year but probably more like 2 years, and just as importantly is to then maintain a healthy program afterwards for a life time (and not bounce right back to almost 300 lbs).

Some ways I’ve found to help build my super hero diet willpower and keep my determination high:

My daughter is my primary motivation — for her I would do anything. I want to live a long life to raise her and enjoy her growing up well into adulthood,and I also want to be able to have fun and participate in her life now and later. I also want to be able to handle every day emergencies that might arise, for example: what if we were in the car and got a flat tire, the cellphone battery was dead, and we had to walk at least 2 miles in several inches of snow to get to a phone. Could I do ?? Probably not now.

This situation did arise before I had a cell phone, but at least I was alone in the car and it was only a mile walk to the phone — I was overweight and out of shape — I made it, but was exhausted for days afterwards, now I’m heavier and less active and I don’t even want to think about facing that kind of situation now and having my daughter with me.

Another way to keep my will power strong is to remember what it felt like being on the hospital cardiac unit table waiting to have the cardiac catherization done. It is not a pleasant experience. If nothing else I want to avoid having unpleasant tests done as much as possible - so the next time I have to have a stress test I don’t want it to be inconclusive so they have to go probing my arteries again — I want those stress test results to be clear.

I also hate the idea of taking medication (unless it’s necessary of course) - I’m on blood pressure medication, for now I need it and I take it. But the reason I need it is entirely within my control — I have high blood pressure because of my weight and lack of exercise. If I want to remedy the need for the medication , then I have to stick with the healthy eating plan and get some exercise.

I really don’t like having someone or something else in control of my life or body — salt and sugar are addictive (in much the same ways drugs are). The idea that food manufacturers use these to get us addicted to their products, if I think about long enough, gets be motivated to give it up. The taste is a learned acquired one, and can be UNLEARNED — sure the cravings can be rough in the beginning — but once the first month or so is over, having no sugar and very little salt, the cravings really do lessen and even go away. I can take charge of what I eat, and with just a little planning and little determination I can plan out what I need for the week, carry healthy snacks with me when needed on trips or visits to avoid temptations, and face any waitress or waiter with a confidence and order only healthy menu options — even if its a special order and not on the menu.

One tool a super hero dieter needs is a journal (I use a stenopad, it fits in my purse). I track everything I eat (calories and recently also the sodium), my results, and other useful info. I use it to plan what I will eat the next day so in the morning I just toss in what is needed for work and I know what I can look forward to at dinner. A super hero needs to know who there enemies are — and unless you keep track of what you are eating, you won’t learn what foods trigger cravings, hunger, etc. Once you find the right combo of foods that work for you, over time the planning gets easier, which makes shopping and cooking easier, and planning healthy meals becomes the normal pattern (rather then quick prepackaged unhealthy choices). If I don’t lose on one plan - I make adjustments — either lower the calories, lower the sodium, add a supplement, add more fiber, etc. If I didn’t track when I started a supplement or made a change and then the results after a week or two - I would have no way of knowing what is working or not working to help me lose weight and get healthy.

What motivates you? Can you use those motivating factors to be your own Super Hero Dieter? What tips do you have to keep will power and determination going?

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