Tory Johnson discusses her empowering ‘Shift’
Tory Johnson had a great life. A husband, children, two successful businesses and a regular segment called “Deals and Steals” on “Good Morning America.” There was just one problem: her weight.
In the first chapter of her new book, “The Shift: HowI Finally Lost Weight and Discovered a Happier Life” (Hyperion), Johnson describes the conversation she had with her boss at ABC, Barbara Fedida, who indirectly suggested she lose a few pounds.
Specifically, Fedida said: “You don’t look as good as you could. I don’t think your clothing does you any favors.”
Instead of wallowing in self-pity or indignation, Johnson made it her mission to make a “shift” in her life, one that would help her eventually lose 60 pounds.
But what exactly was this “shift” — and how can people make “shifts” of their own? “I think that it’s a very personal process,” Johnson said. “People have to figure out why they are fed up with the way things are. Rather than simply complaining about something or expressing unhappiness, you want to dig deep and find out why you want to change this time and you weren’t willing before.”
Johnson feels the personal journey has helped her career as well as her personal life.
“The biggest lesson I learned is (that) patience and perseverance definitely pay off,” she said. “Change happens in small increments, and we are very impatient as a nation. If you want to get rich, just buy a lottery ticket. You want to get famous, try out for ‘American Idol.’ We’re very focused on the quickest way to get what we want.”
And what happens to people who search for that immediate, and usually elusive, payoff?
“What happens is we give up too quickly,” she said.
Johnson acknowledges that her success doesn’t guarantee success to anyone reading the book. However, she said, “we learn through example. We learn so many things through other people’s stories. With this, it’s very revealing, very personal to allow readers to identify themselves in my story.”
Her inspiration to write and publish her story came from many people, including her boss, her husband and children, as Tory Johnson re-examined bad habits and an unhelpful mindset, and lost 60 pounds.
Willingness to change is 1st step toward success
“The past doesn’t have to define the future. You don’t have to be resigned to the way things are because they’ve always been that way,” said Tory Johnson, author of “The Shift.” “When you change yourself, that’s a very powerful thing, and that allows you to believe anything is possible. I think something even more specifically like our weight is very much in our control. It’s very easy to blame your parents, McDonald’s — and people do. And yet it’s very much within your control — and if you want to change it, you can.” well as her staff. What’s more, their encouragement was key.
“I spend more time with my staff probably than (with) anybody,” she said. “When you’re going through any kind of change, you (need to) surround yourself with people who embrace and support that change, and tune out the nay-sayers.”
A “shift” can apply to any part of your life that you want to change. For Johnson, it was her weight. In that, she’s not alone.
The country’s struggle with obesity, in her opinion, ultimately comes down to “individual responsibility.”
“I think a lot has been done: The government does its part, health food companies do their part,” she said, “but at the end of the day, making self-care a priority and forcing your mind to changing is essential. There’s no replacement for that; it’s up to us.”