The Reluctant Writer: March 2011

We all face different problems everyday. In the extreme some problems lead to people taking their own lives.However, there are seven basic problem solving steps that could help people struggling to cope.

Daniella chose to make changes in her life. After beginning work her life had undergone drastic changes such that she found herself gaining weight, which complicated her life as she has diabetes. She did what was necessary for her condition and avoided being caught up in fads. Her story is not miraculous or sexy but it is closer to reality than a lot of weight loss miracles (If you can call them that).

Below are the seven basics that she used

Step 1 Recognize the Problem

That was no rocket science, since we all recognize our problem, that is why some of us fall into despair.
For example the challenge could be that you think you have a weight problem. To be sure that it is not just an assumption you are making you can use the Body Mass Index to find out if you do have a weight problem.

Daniella is 5 ft 12in and was closing in on 200 pounds which is considered to be overweight. By the way body mass index is weight divided by height. She was supposed to be below 184lbs in order to be considered as having a healthy body. So she had to loose 16lbs.

Step 2 What Condition Do I Desire

Another no brainer if you will, you and I already know this. So why am I writing this if the first two steps are obvious, well it might be obvious to some people but the number of people who fall into depression whilst others just give up living choosing existentialism, proves otherwise.

Do not let the media influence the figure or weight you should aspire to. Turning on the Television or reading a magazine can become a daunting exercise because we are bombarded with images of what is a good body shape and size

There are a few things you should take note of

Endorsement by a celebrity and even or by a medical doctor does not mean that the product, program or diet are the answer. It is always better to take time to do the research on the product rather than just accepting everything with alacrity
Are the images that we see really what they are or has there been some tinkering/airbrushing done on photoshop. In other words, it used to be don't believe everything you hear, these days it is safe to say don't believe everything you see.

If you do choose to live a healthy lifestyle, then you have to be willing to make long term changes to the way you think so that whatever you feed your mind will assist you instead of hinder you get your goals.

Step 3 Decide What To Do

What are you going to do to move from present state to a desired alternative? You can write them down(cliche, but true)and see how many ways you can solve a problem before choosing a irreversible one.

Daniella can choose from the following choices:

Exercise

Surgery

Weight Loss pills

Diets

A healthy lifestyle

Daniella chose the last option because she did not want it to be a once off experience she wanted real practical change even if the results where going to take long she realized that the chances were high that they would last in the long term.

Step 4 Results

What is the result for each decision? Each decision has consequences so you need to take note of each one.
What will be the short/long term out come of each choice listed above, and how will it help Daniella solve her problem?

Step 5 The Best Alternative

After considering the advantages of each choice you obviously have to choose what you think is the best alternative.

The best alternative has to guarantee your long term health rather than just changing your appearance for a few months

Step 6 Action

Do it , don't wait and start to analyze otherwise you will lose time and might end up just throwing it in the back burner like a lot of other goals that we have.

She made a plan and learned how to effectively use her time. But she did not stop there she implemented her ideas.

Step 7 Review

After everything is said and done what was the end result. Did you get your expectations

Did you achieve what you set out to do? Daniella did it in four months, although there is no formula to how long it should take, you should be guided by safety considerations

Do not give up if things did not go as expected, changing a way of life takes time and effort, so even if you stumble just keep going.

SHARE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS STORY

Please sign up to www.helpingstories.com and share your weight loss stories.

1.Motivation behind weight loss journey?

2. What are your experiences with weight loss diets?

3. What kind of support system do you have?

4. How did you deal with cynicism of people when you began your journey?

5. Has the media been helpful or a hindrance in your journey?

6. How do you deal with the sometimes contradictory information that we find in the industry?

7. How can people avoid being scammed especially with so many programs that offer quick and fast results?

8. Advice on dieting and diets

9. Nutritional advice

We all face different problems everyday.The challenge could be weight related, financial, emotional or spiritual, it does not matter because the same basics apply when desiring change. In the extreme some problems lead to people taking their own lives.However, there are seven basic problem solving steps that could help people struggling to cope.

Daniella is a twenty-something financial consultant who works long and finds that she struggles with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Step 1 Recognize the Problem

That was no rocket science, since we all recognize our problem, that is why some of us fall into despair.
For example the challenge could be that you think you have a weight problem. To be sure that it is not just an assumption you are making you can use the Body Mass Index to find out if you do have a weight problem.

Step 2 What Condition Do I Desire

Another no brainer if you will, you and I aready know this. So why am I writing this if the first two steps are obvious, well it might be obvious to some people but the number of people who fall into depression whilst others just give up living choosing existentialism, proves otherwise.

Do not let the media influence the figure or weight you should aspire to. This has led some people to follow dangerous lifestyle patterns that end in eating disorders and health conditions.The magazines have their own agendas, that is why they sell certain images that might have nothing to do with the realities of most of us.

If your goal is to live a healthy lifestyle or to achieve your goals it is always a good idea to avoid the sensationalism that comes packaged in magazines and other media platforms.

Step 3 Decide What To Do

What are you going to do to move from present state to a desired alternative? You can write them down(cliche, but true)and see how many ways you can solve a problem before choosing a irreversible one.

Daniella can choose from the following choices:

Exercise

Surgery

Weight Loss pills

Diets

A healthy lifestyle

Step 4 Result

What is the result for each decision? Each decision has consequences so you need to take note of each one.
What will be the short/long term out come of each choice listed above, and how will it help Daniella solve her problem?

Step 5 The Best Alternative

After considering the advantages of each choice you obviously have to choose what you think is the best alternative.

The best alternative has to gurantee your long term health rather than just changing your appearance for a few months

Step 6 Action

Do it , don't wait and start to analyze otherwise you will lose time and might end up just throwing it in the back burner like a ot of other goals that we have.

Step 7 Review

After everything is said and done what was the end result. Did you get your expectations

Did you achieve what you set out to do?

Do not give up if things did not go as expected, changing a way of life takes time and effort, so even if you stumble just keep going.