The question of how to stay on track when life gets crazy has been posed. The truthful answer is simply, keep doing the same thing that got you to where you are when you asked that question. I have worked for a major weight loss company and many times I observed a well known phenomena within that group. When many people lose about 100 pounds, they begin to lose their focus and struggle with continuing to lose. Quite often, they begin to gain weight. I counseled these people and others and there were certain behaviors common to these 100 pound winners that caused them to lose ground and begin to gain weight.

They look forward to that 100 pounds with gusto for about a year, sometimes longer. Everything in their lives is centered around reaching this fantastic, seemingly impossible goal. They approach each day with new enthusiasm and aggressively seek out any information that may be of assistance on their mission. They will lose, and occasionally gain, until one day, they step on the scale and BAM! in what seems like a moment, that magic number has been realized. WOW! 100 pounds!

Almost without fail, the first thing that most people do is reward themselves with food. They usually eat something sugar laden to celebrate when they haven’t eaten anything like that in a long, long time. Sugar is known to be addictive because it triggers a dopamine release in the brain. Because they have managed to lose 100 pounds, they think that they “know how it’s done” and don’t worry when they’re still stopping for cupcakes 3-4 days later.

Instead of spending time researching healthy recipes and exercise, they are thinking about what and how much they can afford to eat here at this major milestone. The next thing they know, that 1-3 pounds that didn’t worry them 4 days into their “celebration”, has turned into 20.

The normal stress of daily life continues to press on them and now their brain is trained to reach for sugar for stress relief instead of working out. Depression is soon to follow and we all know about the neverending binge cycle of trying to alleviate depression while adding pounds and deepening the depression.

While this simply looks like a chain of bad choices, what’s actually happening is that they have abandoned the program that got them 100 pounds down. David always says to “Trust the process.” If we do, we will adhere to that program. If you have lost 100 pounds, you should have withdrawn from sugar. Why on Earth would you introduce that deceptive substance back into your life? If you have not withdrawn from it, this is a good time to push a little harder and do just that. You will see results quickly.

When life gets crazy and presses on you, press back harder. Remember what got you to where you are and do it again. Continue to research healthy living and ways to exercise, with your doctor’s permission. When life gets crazy, you have to be the sanest person in the house and sometimes the only sane person in the house. If you want to continue on your journey to health and wellness, you’ve got to dig in deeper than ever. When life gets crazy, you have to be the stabilizer. You have to force the issue. Create calm with routines and regimens to support your health initiatives.

There are seven well known methods to increase your motivation. [1]

1-Set goals. If you have achieved a major milestone, quickly recalculate and set new ones. Don’t sit on your laurels. Get up and go again with new goals and energy.

2-Make it fun. Remember your enthusiasm at the beginning of your pprogram? Do something g similar. Surf the net for recipes. Read David’s Way. We have everything you need! Use the Calorie Counter Pro. Read the Home Page for ideas about how to use the blog and do it all. With my doctor’s approval, find a way to exercise. Exercise always boosts your mood and is a good way to replace a bad addiction with a good one because the various types of exercise boost different brain chemicals. Read “Do What’s Necessary ” for a quick rundown on how different types boost different neurotransmitters.

3-Once cleared by your doctor, make activity part of your daily routine. Schedule workouts just like any other important activity. Give exercise priority.

4-Write down your goals or use a digital platform to keep records. Track every bite of food, record your workouts. “What gets measured, gets done.” (David) Keeping records is a form of measurement.

5-Find other people who are interested in being healthy. That’s what this blog is all about. It’s a community of like minded people all working towards the common goal of good health. We have a forum.

6-Reward yourself with non-food rewards. A new pair of athletic shoes, new equipment or workout clothes will give you a boost to continue.

7-Be flexible. No one is 100% all the time so when you miss the mark a bit just get back on track as soon as possible. Don’t dwell on your shortcomings. Falling down doesn’t matter. Getting back up is what counts.

(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/fitness/art-20047624