Goals, health and even competition are some of our dieters motivating inspirations.
Trying to lose weight? Here’s some advice on how to get motivated from the book “How to Lose 9,000 lbs. (or less)” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who’ve done it:
“You have to have a very specific goal to focus on: I mean, extremely specific. You have to think, ‘I want to lose 25 pounds by my high school reunion on June 11.’ Or, ‘I want to lower my cholesterol 10 points by my birthday.’ There’s no such thing as too specific. For me it was my niece’s wedding. I used that date as my goal to lose 20 pounds: I actually lost 22.”
— A.P., Corriganville, Md., lost 22 pounds
“It’s so much better to start with realistic goals that can be attained. If you set the bar too high, it will be difficult to maintain, and you’ll get sick of it very quickly.”
Lisa A., Philadelphia, lost 20 pounds
“I’ve set a realistic goal to lose an average of one pound a week, and then every two weeks I weigh myself to track my performance. I give myself a reward every 10 weeks only if my goal is met. Rewards: First, French manicure; second, spa pedicure; third, new red dress; fourth, leather jacket; fifth, complete new outfit, head-to-toe.
V.B., New York, lost 20 pounds
“Lose weight to spite all the people who told you that you couldn’t do it, or even all the people you suspect may have thought that, even if they didn’t come right out and say it to your face. Do it to spite them all. Nobody ever said that you couldn’t use spite as motivation, right?”
Greg Fox, Frostburg, Md., lost 25 pounds
“As you get older it becomes harder to stay in shape. But the good news is that it happens to everyone. At your 25-year high school reunion, you’ll see what I mean.”
Anonymous, New York, lost 20 pounds
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“If you’re a parent, you shouldn’t need any motivation other than wanting to be healthy for your children. You should want to live a long life for them and be healthy enough that you can do stuff with them. I know how proud my kids are of how far I have come. I can see it in their eyes.”
— Evelyn Rhodes, Campbell, Ohio, lost 17 pounds
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Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share.
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© 2006, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.