2007

I can't believe it! I made it through the holidays without a real disaster. Sure, I enjoyed some chocolates and cookies, but I didn't go crazy like 2005, 2004, 2003....

I controlled my portions and treats and maintained my loss without a problem. Albeit, I wanted to lose some more pounds, I didn't BUT I did maintain and enjoy the holidays in a fairly humane way.

During these next few days, I urge you all to think about 2007 as just a number. Try not to focus your attention on it being a magical journey, THE year that you'll lose all your weight, the time you've been waiting for to finally lose all your unwanted pounds.

Weight loss is a process which is close to 100% psychological. If it wasn't, we'd all be fit and healthy right?!

You need to realize that it is not the fact that January is here and you FINALLY are going to exercise, or that you're really going to workout with the machine that you got for Christmas or Chanukah or Kwanza... If you do focus on the month and the date and THEN add the "I must not fail" attitude to your self pressure, you'll get frustrated if you deviate off your path. Willpower and excitement can only last for a few days or weeks and when you do miss a workout or have bad food and you're frustration sets in, it'll be February of 2006 all over. Do not pressurize your mind now. Simply try to identify with the fact that changes are needed.

Look at yourself in the mirror and be brutally honest and talk to yourself. Analyze why you want to lose the weight and reason with yourself for a goal each month. If it helps to start next week, then so be it. January 1 is a major flaw that many people have in their minds as being the magical weigt loss date. If you look at a date to pull you through your weight loss journey, you'll probably fail. Honesty to YOURSELF and goalsetting are the two most important things I can stress to you that WILL help you succeed.

Good luck and as always, email me often and let me know how you're doing. Thanks to the many emails over the past two weeks from new listeners all around the US and the world. WE WILL DO THIS...1 person at a time!

Peace and Happy New Year,
Dave O