Just Give Up!

When I was a Freshman in college, I made a life changing decision. I realize normally, when people uses the phrase “life changing decision,” they’re referencing something they struggled with for days, weeks, months, or maybe even years. They put a lot of thought and consideration into that decision, and when they finally made the choice, it permanently altered their worlds. If, by chance, it wasn’t a great and long-debated struggle, then someone was faced with a “do or die” scenario and had to make an immediate decision. My story, however, doesn’t involved any of that drama. Sorry. My life changing decision was spur of the moment, precipitated by absolutely nothing, and just about as anti-climactic as a decision could possibly be.

How’s that for buildup?

Here was the big decision: toward the end of my first semester in college, I decided to stop drinking all carbonated beverages. That was it. That was the monumental choice. It wasn’t premeditated. I hadn’t been considering it for months. I didn’t do it because I was feeling particularly unhealthy (though I probably was). And I didn’t do it because someone suggested I do it. But I distinctly remember the moment. I was at one of the on-campus cafeterias and the soda fountain was out of Sprite. I was about to fill my glass with Coke when I decided, “I don’t really want any. Actually, I don’t ever want anymore cola ever.” And that was it. My soda drinking days were over.

I told you it was anti-climactic. I do, however, have a reason for relating this story to the Reshape the Nation community. Over the next couple months, giving up soft drinks resulted in a loss of about 10-15 pounds. In the past 10 years, even if I didn’t necessarily lose anymore weight, not drinking all those sugary drinks certainly has helped me keep weight off. I also feel better, have more energy, and (while Chris Powell might not love this) give myself some leeway to eat other unhealthy treats that taste much better than a Coke. It was one of the healthiest decisions I’ve ever made. It was also one of the easiest. No routines, no major lifestyle changes, no programs. I just filled my glass with something that wasn’t carbonated, the pounds came tumbling off, and, most importantly, they’ve stayed off.

So I tried it again. A few years back, I gave up french fries. No other changes. No other routines. No other life altering decisions. I just started ordering something else on the side. Sometimes it was healthy… a salad. Sometimes it maybe wasn’t so healthy… like a baked potato. But rarely was it any less healthy than french fries. And guess what… I saw the same results.

I haven’t exactly heard this method as an approved weight loss program, so let’s give it a name. I’ll call it the “Just Give Up” method because it puts a positive spin on a negative. I’m not suggesting it’s the only change you should make. But I am suggesting you give it a try. Find one thing in your regular diet you know is unhealthy—sodas, coffee, sugar cereals, whatever—and just stop. Just give it up. It’s actually not very hard, but it’s quite effective. And, just as importantly, once you’ve done it, it leads to other healthy changes. For example, soon after giving up carbonated drinks, I started going to the gym. I don’t think one decision directly contributed to the other, but I do think healthy choices build on themselves. Once you make the first healthy choice of your life, the second one becomes much easier.

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