If you don’t know where you are going, where will you end up?
A clear, tangible statement of your weight loss vision is an essential part of this journey. It tells you, in great detail, where you are going, why you want to go there, and how you will get there. A good vision statement has three main components, that can be broken down into Past, Present, and Future:
Past. Why do you want to lose weight? Consider what has brought you to the point where you are ready to make changes in your life. Is it health-related? Job-related? Has your family motivated you? Are you unhappy with the way you have been feeling? Whatever it is, include it in your statement. Write down three reasons:
I want to lose weight because:
1.
2.
3.
Present. A good Vision Statement will take into account how you want to feel now. Not today, tomorrow, or next year. But now. Aim for the feeling you want to have as a person living a healthy life. Often, these are exactly the feelings that you are trying to access with food. They may be: relaxed, satisfied, energetic, excited, in control, safe, loved….etc. You need not wait until you are at your desired weight to feel the way you want to feel. You will develop new habits that give you access to these feelings right now, but in a healthy way.
I want to feel:
1.
2.
3.
Future. This is the nuts and bolts of how you will achieve weight loss. We don’t recommend setting a goal of pounds lost by a certain date. The pounds will come off at a slow and steady pace if you follow the plan. Rather, this is for small, attainable goals in the areas of habits, and it is added to as you add small goals along the way.
I will
I will
I will
And there you have it: your Vision Statement. Write it down, type it out, print it out, and put it in as many places as possible. Also, tell as many people as possible. The more you see it and speak it, the more real it becomes.