Getting Unstuck

I'm stuck!

That's the first step to getting unstuck is admitting you're stuck.

I know this from problem solving and I'm a professional problem solver. I've spent over 40 years of my life solving problems so I've become pretty, pretty, pretty good at it.

One key rule of problem solving is to accept the problem.

If there's one thing you learn today it's

When you have a problem, accept it.

Okay, I've highlighted this rule for you and me.

So what am I stuck on?  I'm glad you asked.

I haven't been able to reach my next weight loss goal for the last 34 days.

Matter a fact I'm 5.2 lbs. away. My goal is to weight 165.8 and this morning I weighed 171.

I'm glad I weighed myself today. Am I depressed? No, my weight is a fact not a judgement. I tell people that the most important rule to losing weight and keeping it off (LWAKIO) is to weigh yourself everyday.

The negative response to this idea is "I'll get too depressed."  If you don't have a speedometer you'll speed and if you don't have a gas gauge, you'll run out of gas.

So the is weight gain the real problem? No. It's a result of something else, most likely too many calories, not enough exercise or too slow metabolism.

Now each of these issues has sub-problems that need to be solved.

What happened yesterday that I gained 2 pounds. Well it was Thanksgiving and my willpower disappeared pretty quickly. I had a lot of chocolate covered raisins, hot dog in a blanket and nachos with guacamole. The red wine didn't help either.

On the other hand, I filled up a bag with stuff to bring home and I left it at the party.

So what is the problem that I'm not accepting?

Maybe my current weight loss method doesn't work.  The problem appears to be willpower and not being able to control my temptations. I'm sure that there are a number of events and people which increases my poor willpower.

Some of the things that are problematic for me are:

• Pizza
• Ice Cream
• Alcohol
• Breads (Pretzels)

Alcohol is a pretty big culprit as it drops my willpower. People also are a problem as my wife has low willpower and when my kids are home it's easy to overdo it.

On the other side of the coin my exercising hasn't been as good since I've started my new job.  My walking has dropped from 1 - 2 hours to 20 minutes. 

I'm good in some ways as I don't eat candy from vending machines. 

Okay so now the plan to get unstuck. I've used a couple of strategies in the past that worked and I'll try them again.  

1. Walk at lunch for 1 hour if I'm not at my goal weight
2. Work out at least 3 days a week
3. Buy the food but save it for when I'm at my goal weight as a reward and for motivation
4. Avoid these items completely if I can get to my goal in 15 more days
5. Find substitutes for the good feeling I get from food and use them

I had the idea of having a periscope of my weight loss and take my weight each day if I don't achieve my weight goal in 15 days.

So what are you stuck at?  Maybe I can help. Leave a comment below and let's get unstuck together.