Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude

One of the interesting things that OPTAVIA’S co-founder, Dr. Anderson, says in his book, “Habits of Health” is that it takes a tremendous amount of energy for a jet airplane to take off and then once you’re at cruising altitude it becomes easier to maintain your speed and cruise along. He uses this analogy to illustrate how hard it is initially to make changes in our habits and why he focuses instead on changing microhabits in order to make the long-term health change more sustainable.

But as I began thinking about this analogy and speaking with a friend about it, I realized that my problem isn’t getting off the ground…I have no problem “flipping the switch” and deciding to lose weight. Once I make up my mind to do something, I am typically very stubborn and willful about making it happen (just ask my parents or my husband). My big problem is when I reach cruising altitude. Ladies and gentlemen, when we reach cruising altitude and I unbuckle my safety belt, I start to lose control and this plane is going down.

I daresay I am probably not alone. Cruising altitude is tough for many of us because there’s the sense of what’s next?! Now that I have reached my destination (weight loss goal), it actually has become tougher to stay on course, not easier. Simply because I have always thought of weight loss as “solving the problem” – now I can go back to my old paths/ways again. Flying with OPTAVIA Air requires me to change that. To look at my flight path and understand the motivation for why I do the things I do and where I go off-course.

What it comes down to is fuel. What fuels the flight is motivation and discipline. Motivation is crucial in order to keep momentum. Figuring out what motivates you every day helps, but what do we do when the motivation isn’t enough? When my WHY isn’t keeping me from reaching for the bag of chips or ice cream at the end of a stressful day? That’s where discipline becomes part of the equation. We have to teach ourselves how to push through as a matter of discipline and habit rather than merely motivation because motivation can often be based on feelings, and we all know feelings can often lead us very astray. We have to stay alert, keep the plane fueled, and pilot the plane where we want it to go.

My health journey has taught me how to direct my course (feelings and my habits). I no longer am willing to let my emotions dictate my choices and send me to a different destination. I have to make a decision every. single. day to show up for myself and make choices that support the person I want to be. My best self for those around me. Which means I have to stop making excuses and I have to learn how to be a better pilot.

So what is going to keep you on course? Where is your flight path taking you, my friends? I dare you to look at your life in every way and ask yourself what is going to keep you off the ground and flying high in order to reach your best destination? Ask yourself where you want to go and don’t stop until you get there.

Thank you for flying with OPTAVIA Air…and enjoy your flight!