Small Steps to Weight Loss Tips: Day 3
May 3, 2011 by Kim T
Filed under Motivation
On Day 3, you will repeat what you did on Days 1 and 2. Don’t worry – you aren’t standing still. You are moving forward by creating a routine to make weight loss automatic for you.
So far, your morning routine looks like this:
- Drink 1 glass (equivalent to 2 cups) of water upon arising
- Do 10 minutes of stretching
In addition to repeating these two steps, I want you to use today to reflect on this question: “What would does your ideal day look like once you are healthier?”
Get a piece of paper and write down that vision. Be very specific: How will your daily life be different? What will you be able to do then that you can’t do now? What will you feel then that you don’t feel now?
This exercise is designed to increase your desire for your goal. When your heart is in your vision, then you will be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Each step you take in this challenge is designed to get you closer to that vision.
However, if you are only half-hearted about taking the steps, then you are setting yourself up for a fall. You won’t give it your best effort. The wise thing to do then is to be honest with yourself and decide that you will wait to continue the challenge until you can put your whole heart into it.
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
So today, do a heart check and reflect. If you are willing to keep moving forward then promise yourself that you will see this through until you succeed. Success is yours – one small step at a time. It’s time to go for it!
Take the poll below and share your feedback on how you did it and what you learned.
[merlic_poll id="1529"]
I’m not sure how to answer these questions….however, my heart is in it….I want to feel better physicallly, mentally and most of all Spiritually. I believe God expects up to take care of our bodies…but life and age has a way of getting away with us. I lost close to 50 pounds before this is not excuse but because of different circumstances in my life such as the death of my mom and a job change I’ve gained it back so now I’m full of guilt because of it. I want to do this God’s way as I know I can’t go wrong if I do it his way. Thanks you for this site.
This is what I wrote in my journal.
At my ideal weight, my first thought was: waking up without pain in my joints and able to walk downstairs without holding onto the rails or walking downstairs sideways. Carrying around so much weight makes tired easily.
When i reach my goal, I will wear a beautiful dress. For once I wont worry if someone will notice me being big. I wont worry if someone can see my belly fat, i dont have to hide it with a huge bag
i will run as far as i can and fast as i could. And thank God for helping me to become healthier.
I know that when I reach my ideal weight I will be & feel so much healthier. I will be free form the nagging frustration of knowing that I am not doing the right things for my health & at 65 that is a big concern as srokes & heart attacks & diabetes etc.,are a big risk . Tkank you God & Kimberly for this wonderful program & I pray for God’s strength to faithfully complete the 31 days
This seems easy right now. Adding one new thing a day is great.That is how I process everything. I am worried about two things. First, this is Christmas break. I teach. What is going to happen when we all go back to school and life gets hectic? Second, what will happen on day 32? My heart is in it, but will my head be in it when it is full of so many other things I have to jugle? Lord lead me to a healthier lifestyle so I can be who you want me to be.
Hi Amy – way to go for sticking with it! I want to answer a couple of questions you asked:
What is going to happen when we all go back to school and life gets hectic?
My answer is: “The same thing that always happens to your health goals when life gets hectic…unless you prepare yourself now to take a different path.” The 5th step of the Take Back Your Temple process is “Expect Tests and Be Prepared”. You already know what happens to you when life gets hectic. Why not use that experience to your advantage? Think about the situations that tripped you up in the past. Then, write down a way you can deal with that situation so that you can stay on track. For example, let’s say that you always get hungry around 2:00 and are tempted to go to the vending machine to get something to eat. This time, you decide to keep a colorful lunch bag in your desk drawer with fruit, small packs of nuts, low calorie-high fiber energy bars to snack on if you get hungry. You also fill up a water bottle at the beginning of your day and make it a game to finish it all by the end of the school day. The key is, you must always make eating healthy and exercising as automatic as possible. That increases your odds of success.
As a teacher, you must be VERY creative. I know you can come up with plans to deal with sabotaging situations. Approach it as a lesson plan, if you will. Use each plan and if it doesn’t work one way, then try a different way until you find one that works. You can do it!
Second question: What will happen on Day 32? I can tell you that if you keep on walking the steps that you’ve learned about on Days 1-31, you will be on your way to a healthy lifestyle that you can live with. Only you can make the choice on whether the steps are worth it to you to keep practicing them. I pray you will choose wisely!
I’m ready to have a better life so I can give more to others and honor God.
I will not have to worry about getting dressed in the morning, everything will look good. I will be a role model to my daughter. I will be a better witness to the goodness and glory of God. I will be able to go horse clinics and not worry about people taking my picture and posting on facebook. I will be a lighter load for my horse to carry. So excited!!! Thanks for the one day at a time deal. That is really helping for some reason. I have 30 pounds to loose and can’t wait! One of my boys is a senior this year and will have parents night soon for basketball (when all the seniors and their parents walk onto the court at half time and get their pictures taken) and I won’t need to be embarrassed or fake a sickness to avoid the pictures!!! Yippee!!!
Hi Lorie – terrific. God will honor the desire of your heart to glorify him!
Hi Shannon, I appreciate you for writing me. Remember to stay focused – one thing to do consistently is to anchor yourself in God’s love for you. He loves you no matter what size you are, so know that you are loved and accepted by God. Live your life according to that belief regardless of what people say or do.
You might find this article helpful: http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/the-ultimate-eat-clean-diet/
One day at a time is the ideal way to make changes, which is why it works. After all, we can only live life one day at a time anyway. Plus, doing it this way reminds you that good health is a lifelong journey and commitment.
May God bless you on your journey as you strive to glorify him.