So, you want to lose weight. Awesome! You go all in and make the lifestyle changes the fitness experts say you should make – you’re eating fewer calories and exercising regularly. But no matter how many salads you eat or how many hours you spend in the gym, the weight doesn’t seem to go anywhere. You get discouraged and give up, only to start the cycle all over again.
Of course, these changes are a vital part of losing weight, but they are not the most important. What most people don’t realize is that before you can change your body, you must first change your mind. Mindset over matter when it comes to losing weight is the key to reaching your goals.
Self-Reflection (Find Your Why)
Why do you want to lose weight?
That is the question you should ask yourself at the beginning of (and throughout) your weight loss and lifestyle change journey. Do you want to feel more confident and comfortable in your clothes? Do you want to have more energy? Be happier?
The first step in getting in the right mindset when it comes to losing weight is to figure out your why. Dig deep and be as specific as possible. Recognizing yourself and acknowledging your true feelings (no matter what they are) is the key to success.
Much like an athlete prepares themselves for a game, you must also be mentally prepared for the weight loss journey ahead of you. It won’t be easy, but it will be much harder if you are not mentally prepared.
Set Achievable and Realistic Goals
Having goals is essential when it comes to losing weight, but the type of goals you set is even more important. If your only goal is to lose 100 pounds in a year then you will most likely fail. Every time you look in a mirror or step on the scale without reaching your goal you will get discouraged.
Set yourself up for success by breaking your overall goal down into smaller, more realistic goals. For example, start off by vowing to drink more water every day or go for a walk two days a week. When you achieve these small goals it will build your confidence to tackle larger goals.
Track Your Progress
Keeping track of your journey is not only a great way to keep yourself accountable, but it’s also a tangible way to keep your mindset focused. When you physically write things down it solidifies them in your brain. Also, being able to look back and see how far you’ve come since you started is a great way to protect your mindset and stay positive.
Work To Stay Positive
Speaking of staying positive, it is something you will have to work at. You will inevitably slip up and become discouraged at some point in your weight loss journey. That’s ok! It happens to everybody. The most important thing is how you deal with these setbacks. Learn to forgive yourself and don’t get stuck on self-pity.
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