How the Mind Can Impact Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight then you have to be willing to make certain lifestyle chances, including improving the foods you eat as well as getting regular physical activity. But it’s is also about much more than that. While making changes to bad habits is certainly a great start, that’s not the only aspect of weight loss. You also need to be able to shift your mind if you want your weight loss journey to be successful.
When it comes to weight loss, it’s very easy to focus on all of the what ifs and the negatives. For example, you might’ve lost 10 pounds initially but gained back 5. However, you’re not alone. In fact, more than half of the individuals starting off on their weight loss plans won’t necessarily always be successful the first time around, or they will experience setbacks such as this – sometimes more than once, even. It’s all a part of the journey. That being said, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to failure. As they say, you can do anything you put your mind to, and weight loss can either be successful if you allow it to be, or unsuccessful. It all depends on your mindset and willingness to be dedicated and disciplined. The more you tell yourself “I can’t,” the more you won’t. The more you tell yourself “I can,” the more successful you will be. Yes, you might go through several setbacks, but the great thing about wanting to lose weight is that it’s something you can keep aiming for. Just change your outlook to one that is positive.
More often than not, we also focus on the bad parts about our bodies instead of the good, as well as the negative aspects of weight loss. For example, you might have a beer belly or more body fat on the arms and legs, and you’ll zero in on that and make the things you don’t like about your body the prime focus. While it’s okay to have certain parts of the body that you want to focus on, it’s never a good idea to do it to the point where you start to obsess over it. The more you obsess over it, the higher your expectations will be, and if you aren’t seeing immediate results then you’ll be less determined to try harder. Instead, focus on something that you do like about your body, or on something about your weight loss journey that has been positive. Maybe you’re walking for extended periods of time each day or walking up an extra flight of stairs or two each week, or maybe you’re finally able to fit in that favourite pair of jeans. In other words, appreciate the good and focus less on the bad. This will give you incentive to continue to push yourself and keep going for those goals and make you less likely to want to give up.
Food is another thing that people obsess over, and that focus is usually put on the things we can’t eat as opposed to the things we’re supposed to eat in order for weight loss to be successful. One of these reasons is because we often associate weight loss with dieting – particularly, fad diets. But those are a thing of the past. Instead of focusing on a three or four-week restricted diet, you should choose a diet that focuses more on being something you can implement into your everyday life for the rest of your life, and the foods that you know you can eat. For example, the Ketogenic, Paleo, or South Beach diets. These diets are not only designed for individuals wanting to lose weight, but Dr. Ghahary also recommends them (specifically the Paleo or South Beach diet) as part of improving your overall health. While they might initially seem like strict and/or hard-to-follow diets, once you get the hang of them they’ll become second nature – and, the best part is you can snack on them too. (As long as those snacks are healthy!)
Remember, when it comes to losing weight it’s about more than just the physical, as the mental aspect plays a significant role too. Mind over matter.
