What if I told you there's no "finish line?"

I was listening to the radio in my car today and the DJ for a local station is doing promotion for a weight loss company. She was talking about her progress so far and where she hopes to be when she gets to the "finish line." That's pretty typical with weight loss programs - there's a start and a finish. But what if I told you...there really is no "finish line" when it comes to weight loss?

Yes, you have a goal that you will reach but I can guarantee you it will not be your "finish." It won't be the end of anything and if it is, you'll find yourself back at the start line very quickly. That's one of the main issues with diets - starts and finishes. Being healthy is a way of life, you don't get to finish.

When you hit your goal weight, you have to continue to do the work you did that got you to that point. You don't just stop doing what you were doing that got you there. If what you are doing to achieve weight loss is not something you can see yourself doing for the long term, as a lifestyle, it's not going to last. The results will come and just as quickly they will go and you will be right back where you began. And frustrated.

Don't be so quick to jump on a program that offers extreme or short-term results. Most of the time, these kinds of programs have a high likelihood of rebound (regaining the weight and often times more than what you lost). Look for a plan that you can see yourself doing five years from now. Look for a plan that is balanced. Look for a plan that allows you to still enjoy your family and friends. Look for a plan that doesn't require you to eliminate food groups (especially chocolate - anything without chocolate is just wrong!)

Set a goal and meet it but be prepared to do the work that is required to stay there. I promise you one thing: when you look at a fit person, they don't get that way by luck...they work at it every day.