Three Words That Can Change Everything

Hi, Coach Jeri here! Weight loss is not just about willpower. There are so many factors that play into long-term success. But one thing is certain: we must make a Choice, and take a Chance, or life will never Change. Those three words can make a real difference—Choice, Chance, Change.

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The Power of Choice

By making the choice to prioritize your health and well-being, you allow yourself the chance to buy healthy food, incorporate exercise, log into a meeting, or share in the community. It’s in these small moments of courage that growth begins to happen, and then the changes come naturally. Before you know it, you’ll start to evolve into the person you want to be.

Change—especially the change of lifelong habits—is a slow process. Change grows out of the mindset that you are making a clear choice to live a healthier life. Patterns are often the culprits in our journey. Have you noticed patterns where food was used to satisfy an emotional need rather than a physical one? Once you’re aware of this, you can begin to modify it one step at a time by making the choice to try and change.

Learning to tell yourself you won’t be bound by what you used to do is a big step. I often hear members say, “That is what worked the last time.” But you have to let go of the past. This is a new time. We start fresh and don’t look back.

‍Once we make the choice to move forward, several things will happen:

1. We feel empowered—the freedom to choose the right plan that fits our lifestyle.
2. We gain confidence in personalizing life to what we know will work best for us. No one knows your body and history as well as you do.
3. Self-efficacy grows, helping to increase your belief that you can achieve your goals. Belief in yourself is very powerful.
4. We learn to pay attention to the mindful moments in our lives.

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Taking a Chance

Once you’ve made the choice to move forward with a healthier lifestyle, where can you take a chance to focus on the change you hope to achieve?

This part can be harder, because it requires action—physical action, like increasing exercise or meal prep, as well as dealing with the emotional issues that may have blocked success in the past. Take a chance on new recipes or foods you’ve never tried before.

By taking a chance:

1. You learn to deal with external factors. There will always be things beyond your control. What is predictable is preventable, and knowledge is power. You don’t have to run to the donuts every time someone is sick. Take that chance to respond in a different way.
2. You build growth, resilience, and adaptability. You begin to navigate situations without overeating and stay on track.
3. You start to believe in your choices. Risks take courage, and it is only with those risks that confidence rises.

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Making a Change

Change happens organically and naturally over time. You start to evolve into the person you want to be. The power to decide the course of your future is incredibly empowering.

The real challenge is changing the way you feel about yourself so you can make the changes that lead to long-term success.

Along the way, you’ll learn to:

1. Avoid making excuses when you go off track—just keep going forward and learn.
2. See that shifts in habits become possible when mindset and lifestyle are the focus instead of food restrictions.
3. Listen to your own voice, not the opinions of others.
4. Embrace changes that build confidence and keep you moving forward.

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Final Thoughts

Three simple words—Choice, Chance, Change—can help guide your journey. Along with tracking, keep a daily journal to jot down the choices you want to make, the chances you’re willing to take, and the changes you’re starting to see.

Stepping outside your comfort zone can be liberating in so many ways. Make the choice today to take that chance, and watch as your efforts transform into lasting change in your life!