Find Some Friends and Have Fun Weight Loss Families.com

Children know how to have fun. When my children were toddlers, they liked to run around my legs until they collapsed, climb onto my back for rides, and tunnel through my legs making car or train sounds. They constantly found something to climb on, hide behind, or jump over. The older they got, the more they played: swinging from monkey bars, endless games of tag, skateboarding, bike riding, and bouncing on the trampoline. At times, I was exhausted from trying to keep up.

We can learn something from our children. Most children don’t worry about their weight, particularly when they’re small. They’re more concerned about friends and fun. So, do what a child would do, find some friends. Trying to lose weight can be frustrating and lonely. Sometimes, you need support to keep you going. You need to surround yourself with people who understand what it’s like to be overweight. The camaraderie helps you take your mind off your waist. Support is great to have, when your will is weak. There are so many challenges when you’re just starting to lose weight.

When you exercise, keep your routine fresh. Remember how kids play. Grab a jump-rope, play hopscotch, bounce on a mini-trampoline (made for exercising), or have a game of tag. Whatever you do, find someone to play with and have fun. You might be surprised by stronger muscles and a few inches lost. But, a word of caution, be careful while tapping into your inner child. A few years ago, I thought I would try to roller-skate. I hadn’t put on a pair of skates in more than ten years. The end result was a fractured ankle. Those months I spent in a cast were awfully uncomfortable and annoying.

As January comes to an end, determine where you are in your weight loss. If you’ve had some setbacks, don’t give up. Reevaluate the steps you’re taking. Form some new strategies. Here’s where journaling is a good idea. If you’re like me, relying on your memory doesn’t work. Sometimes, I can’t tell you what I’ve done earlier in the day, so remembering what I did the day before is out of the question. You don’t have to make detailed notes: jot simple notes on your calendar, set a reminder in your cell phone, or have a friend help you stay on track. Don’t wait until tomorrow or February to make changes; start now. Remember, together, we’re developing good habits and making healthy choices. We’re going to reach our goal and the way we’ll get there is one day at a time, one change at a time.