Be Aware of the Little Things

When it comes to losing weight, make sure you are aware of the little things...they add up!

There are a couple of different ways to look at this. First, the little bites here and the little bites there. Make a habit of keeping a journal where you track every bite that goes into your mouth. It doesn't have to be anything complicated - even sticky notes will do. The important thing is to Bite and Write! When you do, you develop an awareness of every thing you put into your mouth. If you do not have this awareness, you can easily consume an extra 500 or more calories without even realizing it! If you consume an extra 500 calories each day for seven days, that is the equivalent to an added one pound of fat!

On the other side, be aware of the little differences in your body as you are losing. Let's face it, even when stay perfectly on track you do not go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning having lost 3 sizes! That would be nice but it just doesn't happen. On top of that, the scales are not always your friend. Especially if you are working out. As you replace muscle with fat, the scales can stay the same or appear as if you are not losing. Become aware of the little things in your body and the changes that take place.

For example, I can always tell when I am about to drop inches (even when the scales aren't budging) because the fatty areas of my body begin to feel "squishy". That is the best way I know how to describe it. When I pinch the area at my waist, it has an almost spongy feel to it - as if the fat molecules are breaking down. Sure enough, in a few days I can see the difference in the way my clothes fit. I can also tell by how I feel in my waist line by placing my hands on my waist. There is just something about how it 'feels' that I can tell that things are happening.

Now I know that may sound crazy but trust me, when you become aware of the little things in your body, it can be an big encourager to you when the scales aren't moving. It gives hope that things are happening even though I don't see them. Keep in mind that the most important growth of a tree happens long before there is a sprout above ground. It is the root system that provides the strength for that tree!

Be aware of the little things in your weight loss journey because they add up to the big things that will make the difference for you!