If you want to lose weight and live a long time, you need to get prepared before your journey begins. Before you start, make sure you take care of your “needs” before your “wants“. Many people I see at my weight loss clinic often place there wants before their needs. I remember one of my clients who had just graduated. She was trying to pursue a career in teaching. She was very excited to get the new car and a new hot tub for her back deck………….but what about her needs? What she really needed was not even on her radar screen. Luxury items are wants (not needs). Focusing solely on “wants” will usually translate into you not enjoying those luxury items for too long. You need clean water, you need organic food, you need regular sleep patterns, you need exercise and you need to participate in relaxation techniques. Without looking after your needs, your wants either don’t materialize or they end up being anchors around your neck when your health starts to fail. Look at Charlie Sheen. That’s what happens when you never address your needs. When you don’t address your needs, you fall back to earth with a bang…… no matter how high you go.

I heard a lady talking recently, as she discussed the fact that she was only 15 years away from retirement. Unfortunately, I can’t say anyone in the room thought she was going to make it another 15 years……….because she never addresses her needs.  I have some luxuries in my life but they never take precedent over my water, my organic food, my rest and or my exercise.  Who doesn’t like luxury? When you take care of your needs first, those luxuries will be more frequent and you can enjoy them for a longer period of time.  Avoid the “wants” before “needs” trap.