Slow and Steady Wins the Race

One of my favorite fables is the Turtle and the Hare.  I’ve often made the comparison of this fable to weight loss.  Think about it as you read below and check out how it translates into weight loss.

Once upon a time there was a turtle and a hare. On a bright sunny morning the hare came upon the turtle and, seeing him walking so slowly, started to make fun of him. The tortoise replied to the ridicule of the hare by saying, “Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.” At this challenge the hare laughed at the ridiculous assertion that this slow-footed turtle could ever hope to win against him, one who had never lost a race before. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he’d sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race. He sat under the tree and soon fell asleep. The tortoise, plodding on, overtook him and finished the race. The hare woke up and realized that he had lost the race.  The moral of the story is “Slow and steady wins the race.”

This famous childrens’ fable is one of the most powerful messages we can hope to grasp and use if we ever want to accomplish anything. Why? Because we’re programmed to want quick results, do things quickly, get things fast, get quick results, and usually without much effort. We usually quit before we accomplish anything of significance, getting distracted by some other “shiny object” and start going down that path, instead of the one we were on, toward our supposed goal. Eventually ending up nowhere because we’ve wandered all over the place. Does this sound like you? If not, congratulations, you’re one of the minority in this world that sets goals, maps out the path to those goals, and continues on through thick and thin until you get to the “finish line.”  If you are one of those that has trouble accomplishing goals (like weight loss) then follow this three step weight loss formula.

1. Decide on a goal.
2. Break the goal down into weekly goals then daily goal.
3. Measure your progress correctly.

Breakdown of the formula:

1. Decide on a goal – Want to lose 30 pounds? What’s realistic? 2-4 pounds per week is very attainable.

2. Break the goal down into weekly then daily goals. For example: “I want to lose 45 pounds”. First, determine how many weeks this might take. 45 pounds divided by 2 pounds per week = 22.5 weeks (divided by 4 pounds per week = 11 weeks). So this is your weekly goal. Now, what do you have to do every day in order to reach your weekly goal? Start with a plan where you track all of the foods you eat.  This is critically important. One of my favorite tracking tools is www.fitday.com.  You can log your food and exercise for no charge.  I purchased their computer software that I downloaded.  It is great too.

3. Measure your progress correctly: The scale is your worst enemy. It can trick you into thinking that no progress is being made when in fact lots of progress is actually happening. Take your measurements.  When the scale doesn’t move, your body usually is.  Taking measurements will show you another means of your success.

Yea, we want to be the hare – fast, quick and effortless.  The turtle, in our fable, is the true winner.  Slow and steady wins the race both in weight loss and in life.

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator