Step 2…Find out what works for you!

Now we’re onto step 2. Hopefully when you get to this point you’ve already identified what you want to improve about yourself and set out a plan of action, or in some cases a plan of attack. Now it’s time to find out what works for you. When you find out what works…it makes it that much more tolerable to get to your goal. The reason why I say “what works for you” is because…well…let’s use the example of wanting to lose weight. First you see if anything has caused your weight gain like a medical issue. Then you need to figure out how much weight you want to lose. Losing weight is one of the hardest things to do. They make it seem easy with all of these fad diets, pills, exercise plans, foods; among other things that have you believe that you can just do one fo those things, or a combination of them and the weight will just fall right off. It’s so much easier to gain weight than to lose it; especially for women. Now…there’s nothing wrong with diet plans, weight-loss programs, working out and even CERTAIN diet pills (please get your doctor’s approval and supervision with diet pills). Anyway you go about it, it’s going to be a challenge. You have to want to accept this challenge. You have to have focus and be disciplined. Now, I just used weight-loss as an example, but this can go for mental issues, domestic issues, financial issues…really anything. I can’t stress enough how you have to find what works for you and you only. What’s working for someone else, or 50 other people may not work for you. We’re all individuals and should approach things that way.

The main reason why I wanted to start this series is because I’m actually someone who has gone through these things first hand that I want to help people with. I can give advice of what worked for me and what worked for other’s I have spoken to. I’m not a professional in any kind of way, but I feel that advice comes better from someone who’s actually gone through it. Not just someone who’d read a few books and may even have a degree. None of us our perfect, not even the professionals. Eventually…we do need professional help, but I want to help before, during and after you seek help. You need support from all sides. I’ve had weight issues cause by an undiagnosed stomach disorder, I’ve had financial issues that came from trying to take care of these health issues for years, and I also have mental issues that I was just diagnosed with almost two years ago. I’ve never been married, and I don’t have kids so I wouldn’t give advice on those things. However, like I tell people who are married and have kids if you keep talking to me about your problems…eventually I’m just going to have to tell you how I feel. But that’s a totally different blog for a totally different day.

You need to come to realize that wanting to take care of yourself and to get yourself together IS NOT SELFISH. This is what happens to a lot of people, especially women and especially women who have families to take care of. When you have to take care of others, you feel that they need to come first and you last. Well, think about it this way…if something happens to you because you didn’t take care of yourself; then what? Who does that help? It’s a lot of work and I’m sure overwhelming, but you have to find a way to work it out. It was hard for me at first and it’s just me. So I can only imagine how hard it would be for spouses, parents, and especially single parents. You have to believe in your heart that you can do this. You have to know that you NEED to do this. If not only for yourself…then for your family and friends. People who also care about you. And for those who aren’t for you, who won’t encourage you and those who look like they’re trying to sabotage you from achieving your goals…distance yourself NOW! Trust me…I know first hand. (That blog will be coming soon)

We need to get ourselves together because, let’s face it…none of us are getting any younger. And the older we get…we become set in our ways and it makes that much harder to change our ways and habits. It makes it that much harder to accept that we may need to change things about us. It’s amazing how many people know that they have high-blood pressure, but continue to put salt on everything. It’s amazing how many people get into financial trouble and keep spending money like it’s growing on trees. You won’t believe how many people have mental issues, domestic issues or whatever and stay in those situations or go from one toxic situation to the next. I still have some bad habits that I want to break and other things that I need to work on. Just like how I got to where I am now in my weight loss, finances and mental health…these things take time. And most importantly…you have to want to do it. You have to want to make the change. Most people mean well when they appear to be encouraging you and in your ear about what you need to do…however, at the start, middle and end of the day…you have to want to start and finish until the goals have been accomplished. Next few blogs, I will get more in-depth with what I personally did to get started and what exactly worked for me. Seeing how this a complete lifestyle change, I will explain ongoing work and struggles that I experience day to day.