Happy New Year Friends,
Let’s talk about it. Weight loss is hard. We have to battle the demons of those delectable treats we’ve grown to love, the stress of life, the emotional pain or trauma we may have experienced and a host of other things in order to sustain the work of losing weight. The truth is, being overweight is hard too, because it tends to go along with a host of health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and breathing problems, certain types of cancer, high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol. Which hard will you choose? Will you choose the hard which leads to health or the hard which leads to sickness and pain?
The most important factor for weight loss is your mindset. Life is full of hard decisions but it’s your decision to make. As a doctor I want you to reach the place where you choose the hard path which leads to health. Each path is hard but health leads to an ability to enjoy more of what life has to offer.
The popular advice on losing weight usually entails, eating healthy foods in the right portions, exercising, drinking water etc. Every year around this time, people jump in and begin their weight loss journey, only to find themselves right back at square one in a few weeks. Why does this keep happening? In order to be successful, the mind has to be in full cooperation and agreement with the goals that have been set. The reason behind your actions needs to be clear.
Decide today that you will eat more vegetables, not because you want to reach a certain number on the scale but because you want to become the healthiest you possible. Begin taking it one day at a time, one meal at a time. What you eat, you become. If you want to feel vibrant and fresh, then you must eat foods which are vibrant and fresh. It’s not just about what you are eating, or not eating, but why. You may not always feel motivated, but when your mindset is one of health, you become more and more disciplined.
If you find yourself having a hard time remaining on the path to health or you just feel like you need some motivation and know-how, I’ve got your back. For the New Year, please join our 8 weeks to Wellness Program at the Cooper Wellness Center. We have seen lasting success with our program because it has been designed to equip you for lasting lifestyle change. You may sign up by calling our office at 956-627-3106 or at our website 8 Weeks to Wellness.
To your health
Dona Cooper- Dockery, MD