Habit: Assess and adapt

Losing weight successfully is all about having a system and lifestyle that works for you. Sure, you can use other peoples' ideas and templates as a guide, but you're almost always going to find a couple of things you need to change.

When you come across a system you like, try it. If you're losing weight, stick to it. Think the plan is good, but doesn't fit with your schedule, food preferences or lifestyle choices?

Put some time into trying to adapt the system to suit your needs

Adapting a system is all about knowing what you can change - and to what degree you can change it - while still keeping the essence of the programme intact and getting the benefit of the plan.

If you've adopted a carb-free diet and are adapting it to include carbs you're probably wasting your time. If you've adopted an exercise plan that suggests a morning exercise session but you prefer to exercise in the evening you can probably get away with that.

Plans can be adapted to increase your success

The important factor here is that you must realise that any plan CAN be adapted and can probably be made BETTER for YOU if you are careful and clever about it.

Keep assessing your progress and adjusting the programme. Also keep an eye on how your programme affects the rest of your life, and adapt that too. A diet plan that rules your life should never be your goal. A diet that FITS your life is more like it.

The point here is that constant assessment and adaptation WILL be necessary if you wish to make continued progress on any journey, and weight loss is no different. Sticking to the plan is one thing, but making sure the plan is sound and accurate is even better.

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