by Ezi Levi. Anyone who has read my articles, or has worked with me one on one, knows that the most important thing about dieting or changing their relationship with food is to be committed. My favorite slogan is, “if you are interested you’ll do what’s convenient, if you are committed you’ll do what it takes.

I just recently read a story of someone who was overweight by 100 lbs, had ADD, wasn’t interested in anything, until he realized that in order for him to lose weight he would need to set a goal for himself. In his case, the goal wasn’t about losing weight, but about the ability to run a 5k, 10k or full marathon and in order to do that, he had to get into shape. Subsequently, he lost the weight and ran the full marathon and here is what he wrote.  “All of life is a marathon, …. it’s not about starting another fad diet and losing 15 lbs in a month, it’s about eating healthy and exercising every day……..commitment, dedication, consistency.”

So when it comes to Shavuos or any Yom Tov or special occasion, ask yourself the following questions.

1)    How bad do I want it? (how bad do I want the cheesecake or how bad do I want to reach my goal and how will eating this affect my reaching that goal)

2)    Will I feel deprived if I don’t eat it? if so, can I limit how much I eat so that it doesn’t affect me too much?

3)    Can I substitute with a healthier/less calorie dense version?

4)    What am I willing to do to “pay” for the extra calories? Am I willing to exercise more or (actually exercise at all) to work off the extra calories? Can I do with less somewhere else or limit some carbs another time in order to make up for the extra calories?

We need to remember that at the end of the day, it’s about calories in/calories out (of course high quality calories are better than empty calories), so when you are looking at that piece of cheesecake this Yom Tov really ask yourself

How bad do I want it?

Success stories:

YS has  goal of losing 100 lbs, he travels a lot which can be tough when it comes to planning your meals, but in the first month he has already dropped close to 18lbs. even with all that travelling!

Congratulations to MY he is down 43LBS!!

So to YS, MY and all of those who are committed to losing weight and being more healthy -Keep up the good work!

Have a good Yom Tov!

Ezi Levi is a certified health and diet coach and is the director of the Men’s Weight Loss Center. The center works with men and teenage boys who are committed to losing weight in a safe and natural way by learning how to make healthier choices in their primary and secondary foods. To find out more or to schedule a free, no obligation health consultation, call (732) 903 4129 or Email Ezi at mensweightlosscenter@gmail.com