Good habits are worth being fanatical about. —-John Irving ****************************In my job of helping people gain control of their weight, one of my concerns is always not to scare anyone off. Sometimes the whole process can seem overwhelming and daunting and it’s my job to make sure people don’t give up and run away before they really understand it and try the new habits. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING can seem overwhelming when it’s new and/or different from that which we are accustomed. Think about the early days home with a 1st baby, your 1st part time job as a teenager, balancing a checkbook, learning to use the internet, your job now, even the 1st year of owning a home. All things that we do by nature NOW, but didn’t feel natural the first time. Adopting new, healthier habits is the same way. The longer and more consistent we do it, the more it becomes part of who we are and much more second nature.—–Although I don’t advocate being “fanatical” about every aspect of losing weight and healthy living, I have learned from personal experience, some things require us to take a firm stance to maintain. Life can very easily get in the way of healthy food preparation, tracking our daily food intake, exercise, etc and in those instances, it’s up to us to stop the inertia. Stop the flow away from what’s best and important to US. If “fanatical” means putting 10 minutes aside each day before EVERYTHING else to be able to jot down what I’m going to eat and how I’m feeling, then yes, fanatical I need to be. Think about the behaviors and actions that are non-negotiable when it comes to your weight loss efforts and don’t be afraid to make them a priority. Although it may not feel like it, WE really are the ones in control–of our time, our eating and our actions–and it’s up to us to start exercising that control. No one can take that away, unless we let them. It feels good to take a mental inventory of our time and reprioritize what is important and stop doing what’s not, even if that means saying NO to others at times. Don’t feel guilty or bad!!!! Being a fanatic about taking care of yourself ensures that you have plenty to give others. Healthy habits and a healthy weight improve the quality of our everyday life and it’s something from which everyone can benefit. Don’t cheat yourself the few minutes it takes here and there to be healthy. You’re worth it and deserve that time!!!——–Enjoy this gorgeous fall day! All IS well!