Have you ever had this mentality? Even if you haven’t you likely know people who have. For some reason, Monday seems to be the “it” day to start a diet, an exercise program, or just about anything new. The question is, what’s so special about Monday?
Guilty of this myself, I often start new weight loss programs on Mondays. For one thing, I’m pretty certain I’m going to be hungry, so I figure I might as well enjoy the weekend. After all, if I’m going to start losing weight in a few days anyway, why not go all out now? Have every last craving I’ve ever desired then plunge into the “thin” abyss come Monday? Now I know what you’re thinking—either you’re saying to yourself that this sounds crazy, or your thinking, “Oh, I can soooo relate!”
Either way, the truth is that it doesn’t matter whether you start a diet or weight loss program on Monday or Wednesday. The important thing is to prepare your mind for the journey ahead. If you’re not ready to begin a new program on a Thursday because you’re going out to dinner and you know it’ll be too hard, or you can’t get to the store until Sunday, or if your kids are sick, or if your mother-in-law is coming in from out of time, or if…you get the point. Then don’t sweat it. Don’t set yourself up to fail by starting a new program at an inconvenient time or on an inconvenient day.
Instead, maybe start making some changes immediately. Drink more water. Limit your sugar. Eat a few veggies. Then, when you’re ready to make serious commitment, dive in.
Mondays are meant for a lot of things: a new workweek, new goals, new stresses—but they don’t have to be the only day to start a weight loss plan. As with everything, tailor your plan to fit your life and your goals. And if that means starting at Midnight on a Thursday, so be it. If it means waiting for Monday to roll around, so be it.
Your diet. Your life. Your rules. Remember that and go for it. You can do it!