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Small Steps
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu
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I noticed yet another magazine at the checkout stand that shouted -- Lose 10 pounds in 10 days. I'm sure there were a couple more with similar quick fix, short term actions to take. I understand the desire to achieve results quickly, but since I have yet to experience or even hear of long term results that way, why waste time putting effort into something that won't last? Take the time to change your habits and enjoy the journey.
Sure the small changes may not have immediate and visible effect, but each step you take, takes you closer. If you keep moving forward you will get where you want to go.
The best example I have of building success on small changes begins with the bottle cap I kept from my very last soda pop (July 1998). I was drinking 4 - 6 bottles of Dr. Pepper a day. That's right, full sugar, full size and a six pack a day. And, no, I didn't wonder why I had gained weight.
At that time, I knew I wasn't ready to make major changes to my eating or activities, but I realized I needed to change something and soda was it. I chose to go cold turkey, but I could have done it in even smaller steps. I could have bought smaller bottles; I might have poured some out from the beginning; I could have chosen to drink a glass of water before each soda; or I could gone to sugar free drinks.
Success wasn't losing weight immediately. Success was preparing myself for the next change I was willing to make and knowing I could do it. So 11 years later, I'm still soda free and all the small changes have helped get me here--maintaining an 80+ pound weight loss for a third year.
Taking those small steps and making those small changes will prepare your mind and you body for the next one and the next one after that. Soon you will see the success you want and it's something that will last.
What small change would you make if you didn't have to see success tomorrow?
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What small step did you take last week?
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One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way
by Robert Maurer, PhD
If you want to purchase it, here's a direct link to Amazon.com
A safe and reasonable weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week:
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Keep moving forward.
Meet the Robinson
Walt Disney
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