Be Selfish and Stubborn

Here's a big secret to weight loss:

Be selfish enough to start taking care of yourself and stubborn enough to stick with it.

We are all taught that selfishness and stubbornness are character flaws -- but when it comes to a weight loss program, they are essential!

(Warning: What follows may be hard to hear...)

If you don't take care of yourself, you are less able to help anyone else. If you don't survive, you can't take care of the ones you love who depend on you. True selfishness is having a child lose their mother or father to diabetes complications, heart disease or other obesity-related risk factors that could have been prevented by losing weight.

Looking after your own health is not selfish if it means you are better able to look after your family. As you are instructed when flying on an airplane, you have to put your own oxygen mask first, before you can take care of others. It's basic self-care.

Being "selfish" can be a challenge for mothers and married women who are used to putting everyone else first. When you begin to make dietary changes and exercise changes, your family may revolt. Your kids (teens especially) may even tell you that you have become "self-centered"! They may not be comfortable with you putting yourself first. As hard as it might be, you have to ignore all that.

The truth is, your family will end up loving the lighter, healthier, happier, and stronger new you. They will thank you when they realize they won't be attending your funeral as early as they would have otherwise. And they will most likely follow your example of taking care of their own health.

You need to be important enough to have time for YOU. Reconnect with the person you were meant to be.

As for stubbornness ... if it helps, call it "strong willed" instead.

Schedule your life.

Choose how you want to exercise -- and make it non-negotiable.

Choose what dietary changes you need to make -- and make it non-negotiable.

Be selfish and stubborn enough to take care of yourself and stick with it.