I had a conversation this week that reminded me how close someone who is looking to lose weight actually is to radical change in their life. They really don’t even realize this. Most people think that they must do “all the things” to see results.
When it comes to weight loss their list includes lifting weights, doing cardio, cutting carbs, increase protein, drink more water, cut out sugar, and whatever else they feel is necessary to get the positive results they hope for.
While all of these things are great and when combined and done consistently over a period of time the individual will see phenomenal results. But most people who are not doing these things regularly are very unlikely to do ALL these things at the same time for an extended period of time. It is too much for most people. So they become overwhelmed and quit. Then they become discouraged and believe that they cannot lose weight.
About 7-8 years ago I read a book by Gary Keller called The One Thing. In this book he repeatedly asks this extremely profound question: What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?
He’s not talking about weight loss in the book but I have taken this question and applied it over and over on various occasions to people who ask me how they can overcome a plateau or start losing weight.
I have taken Gary’s question and slightly modified it to be: What’s the ONE Thing you can adjust/change/eliminate in your diet such that by doing it you will see the greatest results?
This has truly been the best question to ask because everyone has a different struggle and a different life style. There’s also a lot of power in this question because YOU hold the key to the correct answer. Not a book or an expert.
For example, if I think back to February of the year 2000 when I started my own fitness journey I was 245 pounds and gaining pounds by the week. I was a senior in high school and weighed 220 pounds in November 1999 at the end of my senior year football season. I gained 25 pounds in two months. Things were not looking good and I woke up one morning looked in the mirror and was disgusted with what I saw.
I needed to change something but had no clue what to do. I remembered that our football coaches would make us run at the end of practice and how tortuous that was so I thought that might help me lose weight. I also was drinking 5-6 soft drinks per day.
So I decided to do two things: start running and cut out soft drinks entirely. My first run was an attempt at a 2 mile run that led to much more walking than running. I committed to doing that run three times per week. Eventually I got to a point where I could run the two miles without stopping. I cut the sodas out cold turkey. This was HUGE. I was consuming 200-250 grams of sugar each day in soft drinks alone.
By May of my senior year I weighed 205 pounds. I lost 40 pounds in three months. It was crazy. All I did was barely start walking/running and cut out soft drinks.
If you’re thinking, “Charlie you were 18 years old”, I’m here to tell you that sure that helped but the age you are doesn’t matter. The longer you wait the harder it will be so why wait? Plus, I have seen people of all ages see results. Don’t let this thought be a road block in your head.
I have a simple question for you, what’s the ONE Thing you can adjust/change/eliminate in your diet such that by doing it you will see the greatest results?
If there are two things even better! But don’t go overboard. Keep it simple. If you’re struggling to identify what your one thing is schedule a call with me and I will help you.
Remember that you can do this. One day at a time. Commit to the long game. Don’t quit.
~Charlie
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