Don't Remain Conditioned to Fail
Posted by Debbie Rocker
on Fri, Jan 26, 2007, 4:43 pm PST


It's not your fault -- you have been conditioned to fail.

If everyone could look like a supermodel, they would. And haven't we all tried? We buy the idea that we can and then we buy the products and programs that will get us there. But models and other celebrities get paid the big bucks to sell merchandise because they DO look a certain way. And, truth be told, most of us will never look like they do. Many of them do work very hard to keep their figures and youth, some rely mostly on their great genetics, but the fact remains that they stand out because they are different from most of us. We keep trying though -- especially when it comes to our bodies. We try to be the thinnest, tiniest, skinniest we can be but alas, even if we can do it for a while, it's never sustainable. So we gain the weight back and beat ourselves up for failing and then, when we can muster the strength, we try again. This is a dangerous cycle. It has very negative effects on our physical health and self esteem.

What if we tried to lose a reasonable amount of weight? What if we exercised and ate well -- consistently -- and didn't expect supermodel results? Do you think you'd be more likely to stay on a path of healthier living? I do. And I think if we change our minds about what makes us "good enough," and get advertisers to change their messages, we'll all be happier and healthier too.

5 things to stop doing:



Stop giving yourself a deadline as to when you must "change" by. Eat well and exercise regularly -- period.


Stop trying to predict your results; as in "If I eat this way for two weeks I will lose 10 pounds." Just know that if you do the work, you will benefit from looking and feeling better.


Stop comparing yourself to others -- especially people who are on TV and in magazines.


Stop beating yourself up. You have been conditioned to fail at this game -- give yourself a break; it takes time to change a pattern (I will show you how in upcoming posts).


Stop stopping and starting over. You are perpetuating the negative cycle by doing this. No more beginnings with bad endings get on the road -- stay on the road.

Think about this for a few days -- let me know what you think.