The motivational quotes in this article emphasize that we can lose weight. They come from a delightful and inspiring book by Sandra Dalka-Prysby which came out back in 1999, Slow But Sure: How I Lost 170 Pounds with the Help of God, Family, Family Circle Magazine, and Richard Simmons. I’ve read my copy several times and am happy to share some bits with you. See the end of the article for where you can get the book.
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How do we reach the point where enough is enough? How do we get to that place deep down inside of us that pushes us to action?… Anytime we reach the point of desperation, the point where we not only want to lose weight and need to lose weight, but we decide we can lose weight, we can do it. However, it’s at this point that we need to know–safely and effectively–how to lose weight.
One thing we don’t need is a diet. A diet is something we do to lose weight as fast as we can so we can go back to eating the way we did before! Where does that get us?… What we need is a lifestyle change. (page 16)
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Visualize your weight-loss challenge as a road–a road that ends at a healthy weight and good fitness… The road you visualize may span just a short distance, reflecting your need to lose 20 or 30 pounds. Or your road may be longer, much longer if you need to lose 100 or more pounds. No matter the distance, with patience and persistence, it’s a journey that can be completed.
Many of us have traveled this road, but most of us have never gone the distance… Maybe the reason for not achieving success is that we traveled this road by dieting alone. We didn’t add exercise to our travel plans.
Visualize yourself at the beginning of the road. You’re pumped up. You’re excited. You’re ready! (page 17)
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Movement didn’t come into my life until I started this program… and, boy, did it ever come into my life! Once I began to exercise, an amazing thing happened. I began to feel great! I began to know how a healthy body is supposed to feel. (page 101)
Bits from Her “Lose Weight Journal”
Although I “did good” with the Halloween candy–I didn’t even rummage through the kids’ bags–I learned as I got further into my program that there are better ways to approach special occasions and situations. The secret: PLANNING and CREATIVE THINKING.
Now I plan for events by coming up with alternatives to unhealthy foods. I think of ways to keep the festiveness in and the temptations out. For Halloween, I pass out pencils, gift certificates, coins, and other nonfood items. (page 29)
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I have really progressed in my fitness quest. In my former life, if I strayed from my diet I would just keep on straying… Now if I stray, I feel bad for a few minutes, then I get right back on my food plan. I don’t wait until the next meal, the next day, the next week. I get back on track immediately. (page 104)
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One of the nicest things about losing weight is that I no longer have to constantly tug my tops down over my hips to hide the enormity of my rear. Also, no longer do I have to keep my coat on at all times to hide my body. I now buy body-fitting clothes because my body is fit! (page 191)
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I could have quoted ten times as much, but this should give you something to help you lose weight. I liked the bit about 20 or 30 pounds being a short road, as that is where I am as I write this.
In today’s world, a lot of good books go out of print, and that has happened to this one. Here are three places you can find Slow But Sure: How I Lost 170 Pounds with the Help of God, Family, Family Circle Magazine, and Richard Simmons:
- Amazon has it from used book sellers. The link goes to the page for the book. When I went there to get the link, there were a number of copies available for a penny. Of course, the shipping would be more than that!
- AbeBooks is a collection of booksellers all over the world, and here is their page for Sandra Dalka-Prysby. Click on “View all Listings” to see what they currently have.
- Try your local public library. If they don’t have it, ask about inter-library loan.
The final takeaway: when we decide we can lose weight, we can do it.