Friday, November 21, 2008

How not to lose momentum during the Holidays

As I write this the holidays are on the horizon.  Do you have any plans on how you are going to stay the course during the next few weeks?  My plan is fairly simple, to keep doing what I have been doing all along, but only better.  

I do have a slight modification to my plan.....  I plan on eating whatever I want on Thanksgiving, and then again on Christmas, but only those days.  By saying "what I want", I don't plan on going overboard, but I also don't plan on restricting myself to where I am miserable all day.  These holidays come but one time a year, and they are meant to be joyous times when we spend time 
with family and not worrying about what we are eating.  Remember, one day is not going to cost you the race, it is not about one day, it is about a lifestyle change.  I will not stuff myself, but if I see a piece of pie that is calling my name, I will answer the call..... and then later if a different piece of pie calls my name I will again heed the call..... but only on those days.

Do
 you need some extra motivation to keep you on track for the holidays?  One very effective way is to see the goal, or at least see what the goal may look like.  I just found out about a service called WeightView.  WeightView is a digital motivational weight loss tool that allows users to see themselves 10, 20 or even 50 pounds lighter.

Here's how it works:
  • Users upload a full-body photo
  • Specify how much you want to lose
  • Then WeightView sends back an image of you at your goal weight (FREE of charge)
  • Print it out and hang it on the fridge or download it as a scrensaver for visual motivation 
WeightView also released an application recently on Facebook with the same concept. They've built this user centric application that focuses on community motivation and support. Some of the features include:
  • tracking your weight loss progress
  • building a support system with other WeightView users on the application
  • providing and receiving motivation to and from your support group
  • gaining reward points toward for actual prizes including magnets, picture frames and even mugs with your picture at your goal weight.

If you're interested you can check out the service at www.weightview.com, or if you are interested in the Facebook application you can visit the WeightView page and add the WeightView application.

What are you doing to keep the momentum and motivation during the holidays?

Tim Wilson - blog.2big.org

Here are the results for me - not a real noticable change, but I like the quality of the service.