Overcoming Obesity Can be Filled With Fear and Anxiety

     For many who are overweight the decision to take control of your health is met with more challenges than simply starting a diet and exercise program. Making such a decision can also be linked to fear and anxiety, and often time these are the primary roadblocks to success.

Most of you, who have at some point in your lives found that your health has gotten away from you and your weight is leading the way, have made an attempt to lose weight before. You may have found that you did not have the patience or the will power to stick with the course of action you decided on, or maybe you felt as if you were not getting the support you needed to accomplish your goals.

For one reason or another whether caused by being overweight, or as a trigger that sent you down this path, a low self-esteem is often associated with obesity. Low self-esteem and previous failures can result in people not feeling comfortable with going to a gym, the fear of failing before you even start, and may even keep people from telling others that they want to make a change.

It is easy to give up before you start. You need more than a good diet and fitness program to succeed. You also need support and motivation. You need to set goals, both short-term and long-term, and you need to understand that slipping up once in a while is not a failure. You also need to accept that a commitment to health is a long-term prospect, and overnight success is nowhere in the playbook. Every single time you put one less spoonful of food on your plate, eat one less donut, or skip the super-size menu, you have made a successful step in the right direction.

When it comes to burning extra calories, toning muscle, or improving your cardiovascular system, think basics to get started. You do not need an expensive gym membership, nor do you need to buy a bunch of bulky and costly fitness equipment. Just get up and get moving. While you are watching your favorite television show, just stand up and lightly jog in place. Do some high stepping knee raises, throw some "air" punches in different directions, twist your body a little and you are working legs, arms, abs and your heart.

Set a long-term goal to be healthy. Set a long-term target weight if you must, but for certain, set attainable short-term goals, and set up a reward structure. For example, "I am going to exercise 20 minutes a day, three days this week, and if I accomplish this goal I will award myself with…."

You can find free online support groups like the one I use, that offer message boards, chats, fitness tracking and much more. There is also a free online workout video available that you can use to get you started on your way to better health. All you need to get started is your decision, and a little time. Please, set the example and give yourself and America's children a brighter and healthier future!

Copyright (c) 2012 Jim Ford

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