Don't be distracted by information overload over weight loss, says Ronny Terry

SO for the umpteenth time, you’re into February clinging on to what is left of the New Year’s resolution. Despite your best efforts, the calories have gradually gone up as the will power goes down. Sound familiar?

But maybe, maybe you’ve been playing the whole ‘new year, new me’ game all wrong, and perhaps it’s not your fault after all.

Today I’m going to look at why your weight loss efforts may not be going to plan, and the one thing you haven’t done that could change things forever.

There’s no denying, at least by anyone remotely sane; weight loss happens when you burn more energy than you consume. We knew this when Coronation Street was still being broadcast in black and white and, like the theme tune, nothing has changed.

So why does something that in theory is as easy as ABC, in practice, feels like performing keyhole brain surgery with your eyes shut?

Well, every January you are bombarded with information on how to lose weight.

Reality stars, celebrity DVDs, magazines – even people at work – are all chipping in telling you what to do. Of course, most of these have no real experience in running weight loss programmes and don’t know you from Adam (or Eve).

Whether well intentioned or to make a fast buck, you don’t need this information overload. Why?

Because you know most of it already.

All it is doing is slowing you down as you look for the one fix that doesn’t really exist.

You see, before you get to the stage of properly structuring a diet, there’s something you must do if you want a chance of reaching your goal weight.

To get some real motivation, the type that will get you to your goal – kicking and screaming if need be - you have to think about the real reasons why you want to change shape. Not a ‘wishy-washy want’ but a ‘never-say-die need'.

Are you truly fed up of catching yourself in the mirror?

Do you really want to do more with the kids?

Is a lack of confidence actually ruining your career prospects?

These are the types of things that eat some people up every day, and spur them on to succeed.

Philosopher Frederick Nietzsche once said, ‘He who has a why can endure any how.’

And I agree with our German friend as I truly believe if you can find the right motivation almost any system will work for you. But with nothing driving you forwards, you will struggle to succeed however you approach it.

So cancel the power walk, make yourself a drink and have a good think about what losing weight will really mean to you and those around you. See if you can unlock some unstoppable motivation before your cuppa goes cold.

Ronny Terry is a Swindon-based personal trainer and fitness writer. Sign up for weight loss tips, and free giveaways at www.swindonweightloss.com

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