I was overweight throughout grammar school and up until my second year of college. I grew up seeing myself as an overweight person. After numerous failed diets throughout the years, it became a stretch for me to consider that I would ever be anything but overweight. One morning when I was 19, I got out of bed anticipating a party that I was going to that night. I realized that I was sick of being overweight. I decided that I was willing to do what it took to change my weight. I took one day at a time, making healthy choices and changing the way I ate. Within a few months I dropped 40 pounds and changed my lifestyle forever. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was following the key to success in creating any change.
7 Steps to Successfully Create Change:
- Declare that you are no longer willing to tolerate a particular habit or way of being.
- Identify the specific things you need to do differently to change.
- Acknowledge that you are in complete control of your actions.
- Recognize the process of change as being day by day.
- Commit to making the desired actions for that particular day.
- If you fall down, forgive yourself and start fresh.
- At the end of each day, honor your ability to make the choice you want and create the change you desire.
Digging for Meaning 
Step #6 is often the most difficult once we decide to get started; sometimes it looks like a GIANT FAILURE and we think nothing’s working and we give up.
Thanks for posting the list.
Malcolm
Malcolm,
Thanks for your great contribution. I totally agree about how difficult it can sometimes be to get back on after falling off the track. Yet if we go into it recognizing that the road to change is sometimes bumpy, we can build into the journey the expectation that there are going to be times when we are going to fall. When I find myself at those most frustrating moments when I flirt with the idea of giving up, I remind myself how I don’t ever want to hold regrets wondering what would have happened if only I’d persevered.
Best,
Susan
Thanks for sharing. I accidentially discovered your website. I am going to invest in a copy of your book. I recently underwent Lap band surgery. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.
I too have struggled with obesity all of my life. I am currently 44 years old. I weight 301, and now I am 201. My BMI had gone down, because I had just discovered I was diabetic and I was going to the doctor on a regular basis. As time went on I was not required to visit the doctor as often. During the period I had lost my mother, and her two sisters, and her brother to Prostate Cancer. All of this occurs between 2002-2005. I had also lost 2 great aunts to diabetes and heart attack 3 days apart at the end of 2006 in Duplin County, NC. That left me with my aunt to care for (my mothers last sister) who I have placed in a Nursing home in Durham, North Carolina, in which she has recently passed, She has sicknesses related to diabetes (gained green). I still in the mean time had to care for my children with special needs (and I love them dearly).
My problem is self confidence. Can anyone help! I am currently completing my Doctoral Degree in Education, Lost 101 pounds, no more diabetes-perfect health. I need to loose 50lbs. I still struggle with self-esteem. My husband, well that is another issues. How can I learn to love myself?
Maria,
Congratulations for all the positive change you have created for yourself despite the hardships surrounding you. That’s a good place to start in learning to love yourself. Honor your strength and your ability to successfully create a desired change.
You can be successful in gaining self confidence and loving yourself more through the following process:
1. Identify the beliefs that are holding you back from confidence and self love.
2. Ask yourself if these beliefs are indeed steadfast and true. Remember that beliefs are simply ideas that you have accepted as true.
3. Ask yourself what ideas you would like to accept instead to nurture your confidence and self love.
4. Determine what outside actions you might need to do to fully accept these new beliefs.
5. Embrace your new beliefs and recognize that you have grown. Recognize your ability to create growth as another reason to be more confident and love yourself more.
Do check out my book, Inner Architect, as it provides detailed how-to’s like this to help you break through the kinds of issues you shared. Step 12: Choose to Believe in Yourself will be especially helpful.
Wishing you all the best,
Susan