As I watched the Olympic athletes competing in their chosen sports, it was obvious they had discovered the keys to being a winner.  I realized what got them to the gold medal competition was not unique . . . it applies to all areas of life.  Whether you want to be a gold medalist at the Olympics, at the top of your chosen profession, or a success at achieving and maintaining your weight loss goal, the elements are the same.

Those elements are DESIRE, DETERMINATION, DISCIPLINE and PERSEVERANCE.

Desire is your dream of something you want to accomplish in your life.  If you don’t have a strong desire to achieve your goal, the first obstacle you meet on the path to your goal could be all it takes for you to quit.  The strength of your desire will either allow you to continue to dream about it . . . or cause you to stand up and take that first step to making it happen.

Determination comes into play when you have taken that first step on your journey.  Without determination, you would quit when you reached your first obstacle or lost your first race.  Determination is like the wind at your back that keeps pushing you forward until you cross the finish line.

Without discipline you would easily be distracted by defeating self-talk and activities that might lead you away from the actions that are necessary for your success.  Discipline is the inner force that will help you stay on the path that will insure you continue to focus on the activities that move you toward the accomplishment of your goal.

Perseverance is the power you draw upon that keeps you going when you feel like you can’t take one more step, when you have lost confidence in your ability to reach your destination, or you are tempted to listen to people who tell you “you don’t have what it takes” to reach your goal.

When you start your weight loss journey you are no different than the athlete looking for the gold.  You have to look to the strength of your desire to make the changes that will improve the quality of your health and your life.  What are you willing to do to make sure you reach your finish line a winner?

How strong is your determination to reach your goal?  If you have a setback, can you say “I temporarily lost sight of my goal, but I’m back on track and I’m going to continue on, because I’m determined to be successful in changing my life.”

Every day will require you to make choices.  Some will allow you to take the easy way and others may require sacrifices.  The strength of your discipline will lead you to make the right choice that will keep you on the path to your goal.

Every athlete faces challenges from competitors who try to shatter their confidence in their ability to be the winner.  They may not always win the race, but it’s a sure thing they will never have a chance of winning the gold if they never get in the race, or if they fail to persevere and quit the first time they lose.

Do you have what it takes to reach your weight loss goal?  Only you know the answer.  If you incorporate the elements that helped 127 of our American athletes win medals at the Olympics, you have a good chance of reaching your goal.

And by the way, do you think those athletes who won the silver and bronze medals are going to give up and quit because they didn’t get the gold.  I don’t think so . . . they are just going to try harder . . . so they can have another chance at winning the gold four years from now.

Go for it girl . . . you too, can be a winner.