“I’ve lost a lot of weight, but now the pounds are starting to creep back. Any tips?”
You bet. “First of all, it’s important to recognize that diet-and-exercise ‘burnout’ is common,” counsels Dr. Michaelene Manus, Behavioral Program Director at the Pritikin Longevity Center. “When you first started your Pritikin lifestyle, it was exciting. Everyone noticed how great you looked, how much weight you’d lost. But after awhile, motivation may start to fade.”
Here are three tips from Dr. Manus to prevent backsliding:
1. Get fresh.
If it’s hard to get out and exercise, get some new ways of exercising. If, for example, you always walk, try cycling, racquetball, even folk dancing. Or if you’re tired of always getting beat at the sport you play, try a new sport (or an older competitor).
Exercise buddies can also be motivating. Seek out friends to walk and talk with. At the gym, develop treadmill partners. Another option: book a few sessions with an enthusiastic personal trainer.
Freshen up your food repertoire, too. Get out your Pritikin Cookbook and experiment with some fun new recipes. Call your Pritikin Alumni friends to see what recipes – or restaurants – have worked for them.
2. Get distracted.
When you have the urge to eat the not-so-good stuff, take a deep breath. Use the ten-minute delay strategy or distract yourself with another pleasurable (but calorie-free) activity. Go for a walk. Turn on your favorite music. Call a good friend.
Daily or as often as you can, nurture and reward yourself with something other than food. Buy a new outfit. Schedule a massage. Clear your schedule and sneak off for a day or two of skiing or golfing. Take an extra-long bubble bath. Escape into a good book.
3. Rev up your soul.
Steal a few moments all to yourself. Recall how good you felt, how motivated you were, in the weeks and months after your vacation at the Pritikin Longevity Center. Is it time for another “dose of religion”? If a refresher visit is not possible right now, take a little time – each day – to visualize the energy and joy of a Pritikin vacation, to remind yourself of the many benefits of your Pritikin lifestyle, and to pat yourself on the back for your success.
Finally, tell yourself: “I’ve lost weight, and I know I can lose more. What’s more, I feel so good. I’m definitely on the right track.” Imagine how even more wonderful you are going to look and feel three months from now.
Good luck!
Get More Weight Loss Tips from Dr. Michaelene Manus!
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