It Works!

Well, I'm here to tell you that stating a commitment publicly does work. Yesterday I was about to indulge in a few extra calories when I remembered that I had told everyone I was getting back on track with my commitment to live healthfully and shed some extra pounds. Even if no one had heard me say it or read my blog, just the fact that I said it encourages me to stick to my word.

I am embarrassed to say how many times in the past I've started out on the right track and then, even before the day was over, I had fallen by the wayside. But now that I'm accountable--you're holding me to it, right?--my likelihood of messing up is a lot lower. (Notice I didn't say that my chances of messing up are nil. Remember, it's a constant battle for all of us.)

I also talked a bit in yesterday's blog about having a support system. I'd like to share with you a free online community resource that I learned about a few months ago. You can access it at www.sparkpeople.com and it has a wealth of info for people who want to lose or maintain their weight. It's got a recipe database, a nutrition calculator, exercise videos, articles on health and fitness, and groups you can join, such as the 10,000 Steps a Day group and the Calling All Vegetarians (and Vegans) group, of which I am a member. There's a lot more, and the best part is, it's free! If you're looking for that extra boost that a support group can give, check out SparkPeople. It's great!

What are your health goals? I challenge you to start thinking about them and writing them down today. Then tell somebody else what you're planning to do. It works, believe me.