Last week, during our company meeting, one topic that came up was how Team New Zealand finally came to win the America’s Cup. The focus of our meeting was about “getting better” by setting small goals that result in big change over time. It was said that Team New Zealand was able to win the America’s Cup by making small focused changes in their performance, and these changes helped them to win the race.
This image really stuck in my mind, picturing the crew working together as a team to tweak their performance really got me thinking about my work and personal performance and how I could kick things up a notch. It also got me thinking about my weight loss efforts. I love Weight Watcher’s because they embrace this notion of small goals leading to big change. When you join, you work toward reaching 5% of your weight loss, then 10% of your weight loss, then finally your goal weight. This makes that daunting weight loss (that seems to take forever) more achievable.
This time around for me on Weight Watcher’s, just like Team New Zealand, I decided to make small manageable changes. I decided that making drastic changes just weren’t sustainable in the long term for me. And as hard as it was to accept, I had to embrace the fact that small changes do not lead to instant results. There are so many diet programs out there that promise a quick fix- lose 20 inches in 20 days or lose 30 pounds in 30 days- and these may work short term, but as soon as you go off the plan, or stop taking the magic pills, the weight loss comes back on.
Those of you who know me well know I am an extremely picky eater. My repertoire of vegetables consists of green beans. I throw caution to the wind by trying wheat bread. And that’s OK. I might not be eating perfect, but I’m eating better. Back in the day, my typical lunch from Burger King was a Whopper, large fries, large coke and an apple pie. Now, I really don’t choose to go to Burger King, but if I do with my kids, I make different choices. I now have a kid’s cheeseburger, apple fries and a small coke. Yes, I still have my coke; I love me an iced cold Coca-Cola! I’d rather have a coke once a week and savor it and have water the rest of the week. It may not seem like a lot, but that’s a difference of 990 calories for one meal. Imagine the impact this small change can make over several meals per week, per year and MAN, you will start to win that race.
Weight loss, is a life change, tweaking small habits over time until you reach and then stay at your goal. For me, weight loss is about making those changes but still living and enjoying my life.
What’s one small change you can make this week that could lead to big results?
Ask for help, make a choice, commit to the choice and continue with courage.
Hugs and friendship,
Tara
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