The Psychology of Losing

First and foremost, losing is addictive. Once it happens, you want more. If you can manage small losses each week, you feel like you can go forever. People begin to notice and comment. It becomes this great challenge ... and you're winning. You're beating this evil that has messed up your life for a long time and it just feels good.

What you give up in food and what you take on in exercise is so completely worth it when you step on the scale and see victory.

Losing is also terrifying. There's a fear of NOT losing that eats at the back of your brain. On those days or weeks when you don't lose, the panic that descends can be overwhelming.

Having a few bad days in a row can also send you into a tailspin that end with you contemplating quitting. It's too hard. It's not worth it. I'm tired of this. They creep into your head and take up residence.

All of these things require a little intervention: 

• The power of the addiction can lead to calorie cutting that's too severe. Or working out that's too extreme. Check yourself and get someone you trust involved to keep you in check.
• Know that it's fear that leads to the thought of quitting, nothing else. Acknowledge it and don't give it power. 
• Be patient. If you're doing the right things often enough, good things happen. You aren't going to lose every day or every week. But you will lose ... as long as you're taking in fewer calories than you're working off. Simple math.