Losing weight seems like it is all about changing your body, but the truth is that weight loss is a mental game, too.
Here are some common mindsets that could be sabotaging your weight loss and making it more difficult.
Negative Thinking
Having a positive attitude is one of the keys to improving your life in almost every aspect, and weight loss is no exception.
If you spend every day obsessing over how miserable you are and how difficult it is to lose weight, it will meet your expectations.
Wishful Mode
The reverse of negative thinking is when you think so positively about becoming thin that you donโt put in the necessary effort to make it happen.
Itโs great to have a positive mindset and to envision yourself thinner, but remember that wishes without action rarely come true.
Wanting Instant Gratification
When youโre not happy with your body and youโve started working to change it, you may want to see results right away.
Unfortunately, rapid weight loss isnโt safe or sustainable, so remember that slow and steady is the way to win.
Putting It Off Until Tomorrow
Procrastination is part of human nature. But if you say youโll start your diet tomorrow, or wait to workout until youโre past a stressful period, itโs unlikely to ever happen.
Donโt let your goals be derailed by excuses; just start now.
Staying in Your Comfort Zone
Itโs tempting to want to stick with familiar foods and routines, but those contributed to becoming overweight.
If youโre serious about losing weight, you have to learn to like new foods and adjust to the initial discomfort of exercising.
Sad about What Youโre Giving Up
Losing weight will inevitably require giving up some unhealthy habits. You may have to give up beer and pizza with friends or nights on the couch after work.
If youโre focused on how sad you feel to be missing out on what others are doing, youโll have a much harder time.
Crash Dieting
Some diets promise miracles if you follow a restrictive diet. While you may indeed see some quick weight loss when you start one of these diets, youโll gain it all back โ and then some โ once you have to go back to your normal diet.
For permanent weight loss, you need to make small, sustainable changes.
Focused End Dates
If youโre trying to lose weight before a big event, like a vacation or a wedding, or to win a contest, the weight could come right back once the date is over.
Make sure your reasons for losing weight arenโt to meet a temporary goal.
Complaints and Excuses
The words you say are very powerful. What are you saying about losing weight? If youโre miserable and making a lot of excuses, or complaining about how much you hate the changes youโre making, youโre creating negative reinforcement.
Choose your words carefully to reflect the reality you want to see.
