The Benefits of Change

Here is a list of the benefits, and the problems, with my plan of action. It is clearly a three to one ratio, the good FAR outweighing the bad, and the bad dealing mostly with the risks of failure. This is probably a list that I am going to add to from time to time. If you are contemplating a change in a habit, or your life, then make your own list of pros and cons, it can help to remind us when the going gets tough, why we are doing it...why it is important. When January 1 rolls around, I am going to want to print this and tape it to the fridge or pantry door!

The Minimum Plan is "good" because...

•    I will lose weight slowly, 4-5 pounds a month, and it will be mostly fat.
•    It is not really a “diet”, I am really re-learning how to eat normally.
•    No food item is excluded.
•    Whole, healthy foods like SuperFoods, and their benefits, are promoted.
•    It incorporates gradually increasing exercise.
•    It allows me to “fall off the wagon” 3 days a month.
•    I have a better chance of sticking to this plan, and sticking with it.
•    I designed it, it’s by me and for me.
•    It will lower my cholesterol level.
•    It will reduce my chances for heart disease.
•    It will reduce my chances for cancer.
•    I will have more energy for the children.
•    I will have more energy for work.
•    I will have more energy, and motivation, in my love life.
•    Think of all the clothes you can un-box!
•    I will look much better in those clothes.
•    I will be able to run again.
•    I will feel better about myself from day one.
•    I will be a much better example for healthy living to my children and the kids at school.
•    I will be a much better example of achieving a goal to my children and the kids at school.
•    My steady weight-loss might encourage “L” to get healthy.
•    My steady weight-loss might encourage “M” to get healthy.
•    I will save A LOT of time obsessing about “how” and “when” to lose weight.
•    I will remove an obstacle to other areas and goals in my life.
•    I could live ten years longer and enjoy any grand kids that much more.
•    I will reduce life insurance costs by 2/3!
•    I will feel like I have a sense of control over my own life again.
•    I will feel a sense of accomplishment.
•    In one years time, I can reverse the effects, and pain, of the last 25.   

The Minimum Plan plan is "bad" because...

•    In the beginning it will feel like a diet, and I will be hungry.
•    It will be very hard at night and weekends.
•    In the beginning I will have to count and measure everything I eat.
•    I could fail and spin into another depression.
•    I could fail and get fatter.
•    I could fail and become even more obsessive about losing weight.
•    I could fail and avoid other areas and goals in my life again.
•    If I am successful, it might anger me towards “L”.
•    I could hurt myself while exercising.
•    I could binge on my “days off”.
•    My “days off” could spread to a week, month, year.

Comments

[gill]

Hiya. I just wanted to say that I noticed all of the positive points to your plan are declarations - "I Will" and the negatives are all possibilities " I Could, or It might". If you rule out all of the 'possibilities' on your pros and cons list, and only make note of the things that are certain to happen if you make these lifestyle changes i.e stick to the plan and you WILL lose weight and it WILL be hard at first, your list would look a lot different!love n stuff, english muffin top.

[singing]

I am scared of those days off. I can remember a time when I gained 20 pounds after one day off. Damn that cheese tasted good.

I am imagining losing 60 pounds by the end of the school year and everyone going oooh, ahhhh! That is motivation for me. That, and Bikini Skank. After all, I am suffering from being hungry anyway...so I'm going for the gold.

Guess who? My last blog had something to do with jumping. Anyway, hope you'll still be my blog buddy.

[Krista]

EXCELLENT post! I loved all the reasons to do it and you listed my list of negatives to a T. We surely are kindred spirits. I admire you for persevering!

[Margaret]

I am hoping that whatever plan works. Any plan will cause progress, won't it? I like your list!

[Denise]

Here's another "pro": You could inspire many on the 'Net to do something good for themselves, too!

[Zoely]

Hi,
I didn't work out at all ast week due to working doubles every day. EVERY DAY! Insane.
But sometime I hope to return to the gym. I'm up with a new URL.