When someone’s not ready to join Code Red and gets a look at the foods to eat/foods to avoid list, one of the first things out of their mouth is:

“I can’t give up my _____________.” What they “can’t give up” might be bread, pasta, booze, soda, sugar – in other words, the very foods responsible for their weight problem (and probably other physical problems).

Here’s why that’s a problem.

The phrase “I can’t” is you handing your power over to outside forces.

People use it as way to instantly make themselves a helpless victim, because that feels safer and less threatening than you being honest and taking responsibility for your choices.

I get it. I just don’t like it. I don’t like the helpless feeling blurting out “I can’t because” conveys.

When someone looks at the Code Red foods to avoid list, or at one of the simple rules to consistent weight loss, and says they can’t, it’s also 100% NOT accurate. It tells me they aren’t being honest with themselves.

What people who say that to me are really saying are things like:

“I don’t want to stop eating __________.”

“I don’t want to drink that much water.”

“I don’t want to stop snacking.”

THAT is the truth, not that they “can’t.”

It might also be they’re just uncomfortable at the idea of not eating sugar or drinking soda…of not snacking…of drinking that much water, and so on.

Finally, sometimes it just means they don’t believe in themselves. It has nothing to do with the program, and everything to do with a lack of faith in their own ability to follow the program.

If you think you “can’t because” when it comes to Code Red, remember this.

On Code Red, we are ALL about being honest with ourselves.

Saying “you can’t” is a LIE.

Of COURSE you can.

Be honest with yourself. Is it that you’re uncomfortable with it? That you just don’t want to? Or even that you don’t believe in yourself?

Whatever it is, own it. Stop hiding behind “I can’t” and accept responsibility for your choices, because only by doing that will you ever stop being a victim of your weight.