Motivation the Key or the Curse?

"Life would be perfect if only I was thin." That one thought passes through the minds of millions everyday when they think of weight loss. The really sad part about it is that they truly believe that it is the truth. On television, in magazines, everywhere we look the message is clear that only thin people can have happy lives.

This is not to say that weight loss in general is a bad thing, that is not the point I am trying to make at all. It is the motivation behind the decision to lose weight that can be as important as the plan you decide to follow. The motivation for weight loss can be the determining factor as to whether or not you can successfully lose the weight and more importantly whether you can keep it off.

For example you have made a firm decision to lose weight and you have committed yourself to stick with the plan you have chosen. It takes a lot of hard work and determination but at last you have achieved your goal weight. So now all you have to do is sit back and wait for your fairy tale life to begin. The perfect mate, the perfect job, the social life?your dreams come true because now you are no longer overweight! It will all be worth the work?you just have to wait now. So you wait and you wait but the fairy tale never comes. Only the outside has changed, you are still you on the inside. This realization can have devastating results on may people. Not only is the incentive to keep the weight off gone but often people can end up surpassing their original weight. Depression usually sets in and sadly sometimes-even suicide.

Society needs to realize that weight loss is not about popularity. It is about eating well and exercising which in turn makes you feel better overall so of course you feel better about yourself. The extra energy gives a boost to your life and yes you may see an improvement in your social life but that is all because of how you feel not how you look. You are the one in control of whether or not you are happy and nothing outside of your mind and heart can interfere with that unless you chose to let it. Skinny people are unhappy too.

Weight loss should be all about health not fairy tales. Happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.

Cass Hope is a registered massage therapist who has studied and counseled in nutrition. Cass regularly contributes to online and offline publications dealing with weight loss and nutrition. She is currently sponsoring this site: http://www.naturalsuccess.info

---

Low-carb Diets: Fad, Fallacy, or Fact?

The most common and popular diet fad over the past... Read More

Diet and Exercise Evolution: Adaptation (part II) -- Examples and Practical Advice

Understanding the theory of adaptation (see previous article, Adaptation I)... Read More

Breakfast and Weight Loss

Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose... Read More

Warning: Dramatically Improve Your Health In Just 27 Days!!!

You don't realize it, but in the next few minutes... Read More

3 Fast Weight Loss Tips That Work

Looking to lose some pounds quickly? Fast and safe weight... Read More

Aerobics Imposters

In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More

The Truth About Weight Loss Marketing

Weight loss, diets and "carbs" are common household topics. There... Read More

Compulsive Eating Signs

Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More

A Better Body - 5 Easy Steps That Anyone Can Take

If only there were a 'better body boot camp', we'd... Read More

Weight Loss For Beginners

Getting into a weight loss program or any type of... Read More

Weight Loss & Health Tips Revealed: Can I Be Fit And Fat?

We all have an image of "fit" - lean, even... Read More

Finding a Weight Loss Program

Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More

Fat Burning Secrets For Cardio Workouts

Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Just The Facts

Gastric Bypass surgery is becoming increasingly more popular for the... Read More

The Truth About Diet Myths

How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More

The Type Of Food and Nutrition That Can Help You Lose Weight Fast

The following are diet tips that can help you shape... Read More

Whole Grains Prevent Weight Gain

Research from Harvard, recently published in the highly respected peer-reviewed... Read More

Pushing Gastric Bypass: When to Talk, When to Keep Quiet

Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More

Snack Ideas for Kids That Wont Wreck Moms Diet

If you are a mom at home on a diet,... Read More

The Mysterious Dr. Atkins Death

Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More

7 Reasons Low Carb Diets are Wrong

The human body is designed to run best on a... Read More

Winning the Battle of the Bulge: Successful Strategies

Let's take a look at how your attitudes and perceptions... Read More

Fitness through Exercise for Life ? Principles that Keep You Going for Life!

ATTITUDESIT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!Exercising has so many physical benefits that... Read More

Six Super Easy Weight Loss Tips

If you have been trying to lose weight permanently, then... Read More

Why Are There Different Diet Types?

Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More

Weightloss Supplements - How Weightloss Patches & Diet Pills Can Control Your Appetite

All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More

Obesity as an Issue Today and the Half Ton Man

Following recent reports of a South Dakota man weighing half... Read More

Dumping Syndrome: The Dirty Secret Gastric Bypass Patients Keep

Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More

Obesity, Whats The Big Deal

Nowadays, so much of the public is obese (fat) that... Read More

Small Changes to Weight Loss

As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More

South Beach Diets and Fast Food Franchises

Franchised Business Models and American Diets could be at odds.... Read More

Simple Plans for Social Eating and Travel

It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More

The Seven Secrets of Weight Loss

When embarking on a weight loss program people will almost... Read More