Anything is possible if you believe in yourself

February 12, 2013

In 2010, I wrote the following story: 

Tuesdays are turning out to be feel good days.  I am smiling!  I just saw a 59 year old female (she looks much younger) who has lost 40 pounds this year.  She has done it slowly, working at weight loss on a daily basis.  She wanted to do it faster!  I wanted her to do it slow and steady, just as she has.  When you rush to finish a job, you often mess it up.  Her slow, deliberate approach at remodeling her physical being has led to permanent change.  She is a work of art.

She has been paid well for her work.  Her lung problems have resolved.  Her blood pressure is perfect and we have significantly reduced her medication and medical expenses.  She loves the way she looks and feels.  There has been one large unanticipated expense.  Her clothing bill has skyrocketed.  Goodwill is profiting from her donations.

She is looking forward to losing more weight in the years to come.  I anticipate being able to stop all of her medications.  “Anything is possible if you believe in yourself” is her credo.

Since then, I have written about many success stories.  The reality is that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and set realistic, achievable goals.  Unfortunately, many of my patients insist of setting unrealistic goals.

The statement, “Doc, I need to lose 50 pounds in the next 6 months,” is often followed by frustration and failure.  Believe in yourself but cut yourself a break.  Lose 5 pounds and enjoy the success, then decide if you want to lose another five.

Your goal should be to healthy and happy, not to be thin and miserable.  Read “Diets and Other Unnatural Acts” and Chicken Step your way to Wellth.

 Dr Segal blogs at www.livewellthy.org and is the coauthor of Diets and Other Unnatural Acts.