Step #2 - Toyota's Eight Steps to Problem-Solving Applied to Weight Loss

Define Current State

Honesty is something I was taught to value and up until last year, I believed I was an honest person. That all changed the day I really listened to what I said to myself. Dealing honestly with others in business and life was the cornerstone of every interaction or relationship. Unfortunately, I learned that day that I didn’t extend that same honesty to myself.

I was the queen of excuses for doing or not doing things to enrich my life. Heck, I was so good at making excuses that the thoughts formed instantly, building a wall in my brain that hindered any real change or growth.

Step #2 of the Eight Steps to Problem-Solving is to define the current state. I realized that making excuses was inhibiting me from real change because I couldn’t truthfully identify what was holding me back from living a healthy life.

The realization was that my weight was merely a symptom and losing weight was not the cure. I had lost weight before and I had gained it back and then some. I did not like myself, not just my body, but the person I had become.  Over the years, I worked so hard at being a good businessperson or best wife or best mother in an effort to deny the reasons why I wasn’t being the best “Kerri” I could be.

Taking this step forced me to see “me” for the first-time. Here’s my current state from January 2013:

1.     Weight: 243 lbs./41.7 BMI

2.     Measurements: Hips – 51.7”, Waist – 41.7”, Upper Belly – 44”

3.     Mobility: 0 minutes of exercise a day

4.     Diet: Consisted of processed food, refined carbohydrates and sugar

5.     Health: Surgically-induced menopause with no hormone replacement regiment, back, leg and neck pain even when sedimentary, no outdoor activities

6.     Mental/Emotional: Hide behind others’ needs, used previous health issues as a personal mantra, held onto secrets to protect others while denying my own well-being

As I looked at these words, I realized that I had to change. It wasn’t a question of whether “should I” or  “could I.”  It was my crystallized resolve that, “I will” get healthy. One word of caution here if you are prone to say (and I was guilty of this), “I will try” then you’re setting yourself up for failure. If only one word could be banished from our vocabulary, I content that “try” is the one. It gives you an out. 

Here’s a challenge: Every time you use the word, put a penny in a jar or put a piece of paper in a cup for a week. What would you see? Mine was cup was full.

In your journal this week, honestly look at your current state. To experience real change, we have to be honest with ourselves first.  Clarity of the situation makes change attainable.  Let’s make 2015 the best year of our lives, start today!

Next Article - Step #3 

Kerri Smith is a marketing professional by trade but dedicates her life to learning and challenging the status quo. Smith is a wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, professional speaker, teacher, student, author, survivor and lover of life. Learn more at www.cuexceed.com.