By Dr. John H. Sklare

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome, for those who want to lose

weight and get healthy, is coming to terms with the time it takes to

accomplish this formidable task. In a nutshell, the more weight you

have to lose, the longer it will take.

I was getting ready to respond to an eDieter who was struggling with

this, "It's going to take forever" thinking, when I ran across a

short parable that brought it all home for me. Before I continue,

let me share this short story with you.

Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter went to work for a timber

merchant. The pay was good and so were the work conditions. For that

reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. On the first

day, his boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was

supposed to work.

The first day, the woodcutter cut down 18 trees. "Congratulations,"

the boss said. "Keep it up!" Very motivated by the boss' words, the

woodcutter tried even harder the next day but found he was only able

to cut down 15 trees on day two. The next day he tried even harder

but, at the end of day three, he had only cut down 10 trees. Day

after day he found himself cutting down fewer and fewer trees. "I

must be losing my strength," the woodcutter thought.

He went to the boss and apologized, saying he could not understand

what the problem was. "When was the last time you sharpened your

axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I

have been too busy cutting trees..."

This little parable captures beautifully a major mistake made by

those wanting to lose weight, reclaim their bodies and live a

healthier life. Some people get so mentally and emotionally involved

in the big picture that they lose track of the only thing they can

really control -- which is the present moment.

My caution to you is this: Don't get so caught up in thinking

about

all the weight you want to lose in the future that you lose track of

what you must do today. Focusing on the NOW and the choices at hand

is how you keep your axe sharp and chip away at that forest.

The eDieter I mentioned above made the mistake of focusing on the

forest and losing track of the trees. She couldn't shake the

debilitating and frustrating thought, "It's going to take

forever"

and that is exactly what happens when you focus on the forest and

not on the trees.

In my opinion, those that find success with weight loss are those

that take it one day at a time. The big picture, particularly for

those with a lot of weight to lose, is just too overwhelming for

most people. The best way to address this forest (total amount of

weight you want to lose) is one tree at a time (one day at a time).

To accomplish this goal, you must stay vigilant and be mindful about

each healthy choice you make. Each day provides you with numerous

opportunities to "sharpen your axe." Each healthy choice you make

sharpens your axe, and you simply can't get where you want to go

without sharpening your axe every day. You must attend to the issues

of today before you can realistically entertain thoughts of tomorrow.

So I suggest you look forward to each day's choices. Because each

healthy decision you make provides you with an opportunity to

sharpen your axe, take down another tree in that forest and close

the gap between who you are and who you want to be.

I really needed this. Thank you for posting it.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. A sentiment we can all take to heart,

Great Post!!!

Just what I needed to hear as I approach a new week and a new day!

Thanks for sharing it with us

Great post! I think we can all learn from that! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Well said!

Thank you for sharing that story. What a nice boost.

I have a crush on Dr John.

Thanks for that.

I have over 200 pounds to loose.. and sometimes it just seems impossible, band or not.

Great Post, Thanks for sharing!!

I have over 200 pounds to loose.. and sometimes it just seems impossible, band or not.

Hey Nykee, my DH has lost 200 pounds so far, and has about another 150 to go!

Wow.. thats amazing.

I made two tickers becasue it was too depressing seeing the 179 pounds to go... lol

So my first goal will be to be under 350.. I havnt been under 350 in almost 10 years.

Then it will to be under 300... and so on.

So, your DH (WHAT DOESNT THAT MEAN?? DH) .. He lost that weight with the lapband?

Can you tell me about it/him..??

DH stands mostly for Dear Husband. I started a thread about him called "my dh is t-bone" under the lounge area. I'll bump it for you. He's been banded almost 2 years.