It is essential to have the right perspective for your weight loss plan. Like most people, you probably have struggled with your body weight from time to time. You may have tried different diet and exercise interventions. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn’t.
Several factors might have contributed to that, but one main thing that played a significant role was your mindset before or during the intervention. Where was your head at? Below, I will talk about the right perspectives you need to succeed in your weight loss journey.
I want this for myself
This is a crucial thing to proclaim before you begin a weight loss plan. Why do you want to lose this weight? Is it because you value yourself so much and you feel that you have not been able to live the life you want? Please be as intentional as possible and find a reason that is personal to you. This one reason will be your guiding principle for everything you do next to achieve your goal.
Consequently, it will help push you to do the things you need to do on the hard days. If your reason is based on what others want or expect of you, you will not feel motivated in the long run. If, for example, you decide to start a weight loss program because you need to be accepted by someone, you are not doing it for yourself. It would be best if you had a reason based on what you value most for your journey to be successful.
This decision should also come from a place of love and respect for yourself. Not from guilt and shame, as that will not motivate you. Instead, you have to understand that you are worthy and valuable, but you are taking these actions to improve your life for yourself and your loved ones.
My journey is different
No two humans are the same regarding our bodies and how they respond to interventions. For example, if you take two people of the same body weight, introduce them to the same weight loss plan, and observe them concurrently, their results may differ. This is because our body makeup may affect how we process nutrients, interact with hormones, our physical activity levels, and even our response to exercise (Reference 1, Reference 2).
So, you’ll need to decide that this journey is personal and adopt the right perspective for your weight loss approach. Your pace may be slower than others, but you are progressing toward your goals. How fast others do it or how well they do it has nothing to do with you. It should not affect your efforts and progress.
Please be sure to remain determined to do it your way. How long will it take you? It will take as long as it takes. Your body will make that decision. The important thing is you stay committed to your daily habits that support your goal.
It will not be a smooth ride
It is essential to accept the reality of weight loss and maintenance challenges. Be realistic and allow for the fact that it is a process. It will have its ups and down, just like most things in life. You will begin enthusiastically and well-motivated, which may change as time progresses. You are going to reach a point where you have to push yourself. The progress you had before has stagnated because of life challenges and the monotony of doing the same things.
Regardless of how good your strategies are, there will come days when you will feel like you can’t go on. Something stressful may happen to you or your family, and putting things on hold might be tempting. This is the time to employ self-motivation, reminding yourself why you must do this.
You have to understand that this does not mean you have failed. It is something that is expected and is part of the journey. This is not the time to give up also. It is time to keep doing what you set out to do and understand that you are close to where you want to be. Go back to your value-based reason for doing this in the first place.
This is a lifestyle change
The ultimate goal of any weight loss plan you adopt is a lifestyle change. The interventions you introduce will become part of your everyday life. I encourage you to examine your weight loss strategies to see if they are sustainable. For example, if you plan to skip breakfast or lunch, do you see yourself doing this for the next two years? Is this a sustainable lifestyle change? Is it more practical to keep breakfast and lunch but have smaller portions instead?
Rather than significantly disrupting your eating habits, take some time to find options that will work for a long time. Start small with low-hanging fruits, things you can change slowly and sustain. If done consistently, you can achieve the same results over time. If you need to adopt drastic measures because you need to shed weight fast, be sure to have a plan in place where you will implement new sustainable strategies and also keep the weight off.
I can do this
If you allow yourself to doubt your ability to achieve your goals based on past experiences, then your motivation will suffer. Most of the things you have achieved so far started with a belief. You first believed that you were capable, then you worked for it. Without this belief, the habits you create will only be short-lived. When you face challenges, they will be too strong for you. So, self-trust and a desire to achieve your goal are essential for weight loss and maintenance success.
In summary, when you begin a weight loss plan or want to maintain a healthy weight, you ought to have the right perspective for your weight loss to guide you. So go ahead and use what fits you, and you are well on your way to the healthy lifestyle you desire.