by JKoi of The Koi Experience

Have you ever considered writing out a plan for losing weight? Have you ever really thought about it? I mean, of course you probably tried on some clothes that didn’t fit properly and feel upset, or you weighed yourself only to feel ashamed of the number on the scale. But other than negative experiences that trigger you to think about starting a weight loss journey have you really wondered, why should I lose this weight?

Whatever amount of weight you want to lose should be the desired end state. So you have to really think of the goals that you want to accomplish which in the end will aid you in succeeding in losing weight. Sounds weird? Well it’s better than what has most likely already occurred a few times…instead of really thinking about actual reasons for losing weight you have nothing else important to focus on except that scale, that potato chip you sneaked, that soda you drank without thinking…you will develop “tunnel vision” and trust me you will eventually crash and burn…and if you’re anything like me, it will either end up with emotional eating or starving—both are definitely not a good look.

Maybe you think that just losing weight will solve all of your problems…without even knowing what those problems actually are. “I’ll get to that after I lose this weight” you probably think. I’m guilty of this. A few years ago I did some drastically dangerous things to lose weight so I would be impressive to my leadership and be one of the most physical fit women in the unit. Well after starving myself and working out 3 days a week, I lost more weight than I set out to be, I was the most athletic woman in my unit…and I still felt like crap. Well hell yeah physically I did, but emotionally I was depressed, lonely, just empty inside….and I still thought my body looked disgusting. Sounds crazy, but even though I “accomplished my goal”, there was some underlying issues which made me go about it in a dangerous way that I could have died from and I ended up falling deeper into depression than I even realized I was in…and trust me, you can’t stay in that state for long so you end up back to square one or worse until you address the real issue behind the weight loss goal. Preparing a vision statement can prevent you from experiencing this.

Let’s begin:

1. Your vision statement should tell you why you want to lose weight or get fit, and why the hard work and effort to accomplish your goal is worth it.
2. Your vision statement should tell you what else other than losing weight you would like to change about yourself and your life for the better. I mean really take time for this one and look into your heart. It’s corny, I know, but this is the time to put all of those pent-up emotions and feelings out there and make a choice about what needs to be different in your life.  This is NOT the time to beat yourself up over things you may think you have done wrong or things out of your control. This is the time to take a stand and make things in your life better for you.
3. I recommend that you write this first, yeah I said it, don’t type it, text it, FB it until you write it with a good old pencil and paper. Trust me; it will be more meaningful for you if this is done. Then you can type it up the way that you want. Add some photos to remind you of your goals and post it everywhere you know you will see it every day.

Don’t be afraid to share this with others, I’ll go first:

J K o i ' s   V i s i o n   S t a t e m e n t

I want to be physically fit because I no longer want to struggle with my weight and have a negative view of my appearance.

I have neglected myself for so long both physically and mentally and I am using this entire fitness journey to learn how to be Jen again, and not like someone else, or no one at all. Over the years I have become pessimistic, complacent, lazy, and a huge procrastinator. I want to accomplish so much, but I have done hardly anything, because I put focus on the wrong things.

It is worth working out so hard and eating clean, because it will cause me to regain that discipline, that determination, organization, my “get up and go” that somewhere along the way I have lost, to re-instill my faith in myself and my ability to accomplish anything I set my mind and heart out to do. I am a leader, a role model, a mentor. I have to look and be the part, not just fake the funk. I want to be happy; truly happy with me in every way…it’s been so long since I’ve had that feeling.

I desire to become a personal trainer, a lifestyle coach which will help others accomplish the vision that they set forth for themselves, to speak publicly to people who have issues with food and exercise and show them that being fit is more than pills, starving, and working out every now and then…it’s a complete lifestyle change that must go on forever. I especially want to help my women of color release stereotypes that prevent us from being physically fit. I want to be an advocate for the prevention of diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure—diseases that run rampant in my own family as I watch those individuals eat themselves to death.

I want my business to be successful and I want to help thousands of people turn their lives around for the better, which in turn will make mine better than I could ever imagine.

I want to create a legacy. With God in my life, I can accomplish all of this and more.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Now it’s your turn. Share your vision statements with me and I will post them, so not only that you can see that your vision is out there and it’s real, but it can encourage others to do so as well. Also, include a picture that goes with your vision.

Come on, what do you have to lose?

Link: http://www.thekoiexperience.com/2011/07/31/create-a-vision-statement-for-weight-loss-success/