Just a couple quick thoughts on a big question I get asked by clients on a regular basis: How do I finally lose the weight? How do I finally commit to eating healthfully?

In essence, it comes down to:

a) making the decision

b) taking actions in line with your decision

Yes, I’m oversimplifying a bit here because making the decision alone can be quite challenging. But once you’ve truly decided that you want to live a healthier lifestyle, it becomes far less challenging to put one foot in front of the other and just do it.

But keep in mind this key concept:

Right now, you’re living the life you’ve chosen for yourself.

If you feel lousy right now, are overweight or are feeling trapped in a bad pattern, I know that’s not what you want to hear. And I’m not trying to be unsupportive. I know too well what it’s like to feel helpless (though we’re actually not helpless — it’s just an illusion we feel because we don’t know the steps yet to break out of the cycle).

But realistically, you are living your current life because of choices you have made. If you choose to eat food that causes you to have cravings, you are choosing discomfort and that whole dramatic cycle of cravings. If you feel out of balance and aren’t sure how to regain your footing, it’s because you’ve been taking actions that are, in fact, unbalanced. If you’re angry or frustrated or sad, it’s because you’ve made decisions that weren’t right for you, didn’t let you fulfill your potential.

Now, obviously (and I’ve said it here in this post already, so there!) :) I believe there’s a way out. In fact, I know there’s a way out. I’ve been that “trapped” and unhappy and unhealthy person, and yet now that’s nothing like who I am. And I escaped that life by deciding — making the cut, once and for all — that it wasn’t going to be that way anymore, that there had to be a better way. Even if I didn’t know the path I would have to take to get to that new place.

We can’t always know where we’re going before we go. Sometimes you just have to drive blind.

Have you made the decision — really — to become the person you truly wish to be? Thin, healthy, free, happy, balanced — you choose the qualities because it’s your life to lead. Do you want to be more adventurous? Choose that too! Afraid to claim too many of these things at once? Pick 2 or 3.

Relax, you can always change your mind later. But don’t sit back and not decide. Hovering there in the transition between the life you’re currently living and the life you wish to lead is painful. Far more painful, by the way, and chronic and frustrating and soul killing by far than actually going through with making the necessary changes to get thinner, healthier, more adventurous, more loving, just … more. If you’re happy how you are now, great. But if you’re not, not making the decision, not taking the actions you need to take — that’s what leads to regret.

There is so much life out there, so much potential, and you can truly decide to be anything you wish and make it happen. I know you can. I know it because I now lead an “I need to pinch myself to believe it” kind of good life — stressful sometimes, sure, and a work in progress like anyone else’s — and so can you.

Deciding makes a huge difference. Coaching can help you move in the right direction with the actions you take. And just believing that maybe you can be who you dream of being — that counts for a lot. I feel that we wouldn’t have the capacity to dream if we didn’t also have the capacity to become that which we dream of becoming. What’s your dream? Decide to make it happen. What are you waiting for?