
In a recent report from the Washington Post, 45 million Americans go on a diet each year. Some experts report that only around 5% of these people will reach goal weight and keep it off. The struggle is real! Many people have been on the diet merry-go-round for years with varying levels of success. I am one of these people and you may be as well. Happily, things have changed in my case. Reaching goal weight is possible! After many attempts over the years, I have achieved a 50-pound weight loss. Let’s see what happened.
In all my past years of dieting, I did learn some valuable lessons. Some ideas were useful and some were not. You might have different ones you could add to your list.
Some ideas worth keeping:
- Incorporating exercise that you enjoy doing into your weekly routine.
- Keeping foods that tempt you, out of sight or better yet, out of the house.
- Eat at home more.
- Keep track of what you eat.
- Have variety where food and exercise are concerned.
Some ideas worth tossing:
- depriving yourself of foods you enjoy.
- pushing yourself beyond your exercise limits.
- leaving yourself hungry.
- comparing yourself to others.
- choosing foods you don’t like based on health benefits.
The Big Tipping Point For Reaching Goal
As years go by some factors move more to the forefront-like health factors. “I’m not getting any younger” is something much more common in my vocabulary as the years go by. Arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes are all risk factors. I have parents who are both type 2 diabetics. One controlled by pills and one by insulin. Dietary habits and
Being available for my parents to help with household chores and appointments is a priority and therefore being physically and mentally fit is a necessity. I will be much more capable of doing that and doing it well if I am in a healthy place myself.
The Realizations That Made It All Come Together
Signing up for the Noom Weight Loss Program was the first step in my transformation. It has taught me many things in the 8 months I had been enrolled. Here are some of the reasons why Noom “tipped the scale” in my favour and reaching goal weight was possible:
Clearly Defined Goals
I knew exactly why I was trying to lose weight and I knew exactly what I expected the results to look like. I
Positive Mindset Is Crucial
A positive mindset exhibits confidence in yourself, self esteem, discipline, empowerment and more. These characteristics are very helpful in developing and keeping good eating and exercise habits. Understanding my tendencies towards stress related eating and how it effects me in my life, helped me understand how detrimental it has been over my entire adult life. I’ve learned how to be aware of it and how to react in a positive, decisive and empowered way. The more positive you are the more confident and self assured you become. It’s a powerful thing!
The Importance Of Sleep
We live in a fast paced world these days. Our focus is on the days events and not on ourselves. The body needs time to rest and rejuvenate. Sleep is important and according to the Mayo Clinic, most adults require between 7-9 hrs sleep per night which is a practice I now strive for. I’m achieving it and I’m better for it!
Make Yourself a Priority
You will be of no use to yourself or anyone you care about if you don’t make yourself a priority. Eat nutritious food, engage in a form of activity or exercise daily, get enough sleep, participate in activities you enjoy. Pamper yourself! You are worth it!

Some Closing Thoughts On Reaching Goal
Feeling in control of my thoughts and how I react to them has really changed my life on many levels. I know how I reacted to stressful experiences in the past and how that led me to

After years of weight issues, I have finally found the formula of combining healthy food choices, regular exercise and positive behavior change to lose weight for good. Coupled with, exploring self-development, being productive and living simply, I am now maintaining a healthy lifestyle and in a good place. I enjoy writing articles to help my readers to become the best they can be!

Congratulations, Donna! I’m encouraged and inspired by your approach to not only weight loss goals, but life in general. i can’t wait to see what information your next blog will contain. Thank you for your website. Best wishes on your new endeavor! It’s obvious you have the will, motivation, concern for others and enthusiasm to make it a wonderful resource for people like me.
Thanks so much for the nice comments, Leo. This really is a labour of love and if I can help my readers in even a small way to help create the best life they can live, it is so worth it! Thanks and I will do my best to provide meaningful, concise and compassionate content.
Enjoy the journey,
Donna
That’s amazing. I really appreciate learning the points you have made. I have lots if friends who swear by the latest deprivation diet only to see them ditch it and gain weight back because they don’t like the food. They try the recipes, get excited but I know they are only setting themselves up. I’ve certainly done the “go hungry” a lot and that doesn’t work either. So many great points here.
Thanks Debbie. That is a real key point you bring up. You do need to be realistic about what can sustain you after you reach goal. Eating foods that can keep you full and satisfied while being nourishing to your body is the way to go! Thanks for commenting.