How To Get Into a Weight Loss Mindset

 

Photo of grey street pavement with the words, "You Got This" written in chalk.

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Exercise and healthy eating are a must for weight loss, but when you're on the road to wellness it's important not to neglect your mental health.  You need to make sure you're taking care of yourself mentally as well.

First things first: start with yourself. If you want to lose weight but don't know where to begin, keep in mind that a healthy body begins with a healthy mind. All-or-nothing diets can be hard on your body and mind but changing your weight loss mindset can give you the confidence you need to achieve your weight loss goals.

Adjusting your way of thinking can make or break any change you want to make in your life. Losing weight is no different. Let's look at how you can develop a success mindset that will assist you in re-balancing your body, losing weight, and feeling alive!

Every day, you have thousands of thoughts. You converse with yourself more than anyone else. You are your most trusted confidant and advisor. Many of the conversations you have with yourself are ones you would never share with anyone else because they would reveal the "true" you. The you who is plagued by self-doubt, anxiety, sadness, guilt, hurt, and disappointments. But this is not the "real you. These negative beliefs were created by you and accepted as truth by you and your belief systems. 

Where did these misconceptions about you come from? They mostly came from others, such as parents, teachers, coworkers, and dare I say, friends. You have allowed some obscure comments made years ago to affect your entire life. Let me be perfectly clear - Nobody has the authority or power to tell you who you are. Only you understand who you are and what is in your heart. 

The only distinction is in what you focus your attention on. Allow me to ask you a question. If you stopped all of the negative self-talk you're currently engaging in, such as;

- I'm too big.

- Who would want to love me?

- I'll never be skinny.

- I'm always failing.

And the list can go on and on. Once you begin looking for the positive things within you, you will be surprised to realize your magnificence has always been there just below the surface.

So what does all of this have to do with losing weight? Everything!!! 

The key to getting into a weight loss mindset is to change the subconscious thoughts that determine what you draw into your experience is your emotional state. Your self-talk shapes your beliefs and programs your subconscious. So you must decide whether you want your beliefs and subconscious programming to be founded on false negative thinking or do you want your beliefs to be founded on the fact that you are and have always been an amazing, perfect being?

While it is true that maintaining healthy body weight is the best way to live a long and healthy life, the secret to enjoying these benefits lies in the process of getting into a positive weight loss mindset and staying there.

Here are a few best practices to start implementing today to get you on the right track to get into a weight loss mindset:

- Journaling can help you stay on top of your emotional well-being. People journal for a variety of reasons. Writing itself is therapeutic. It can assist you in organizing your thoughts, expressing yourself, and processing and dealing with your positive and negative emotions.

- 13 Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Can Eat, written by Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD, and Franziska Spritzler — Medically reviewed by Grant Tinsley, Ph.D., CSCS,*D, CISSN, Nutrition — Published on Healthline.com on December 10, 2021, provides a detailed overview of which anti-inflammatory foods are critical to focus on a healthier diet rich in low glycemic, anti-inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants. 

- Set manageable goals along your journey to achieve a healthy body and mind. Even if you don't have access to a gym, a yoga mat and video, or some resistance equipment can help you get a gym-quality workout. Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. When you sweat, breathe, go to the bathroom, and so on, your body consumes water. 

Create a lifestyle and mindset that is made up of small, consistent changes that are both sustainable and enjoyable; lofty goals may be unrealistic and will prevent you from enjoying the process so find time for self-care whether it's an hour a day or a weekend retreat, take it.  

This includes doing things like meditation, reading, or taking a walk. It doesn't have to be complicated; we all need that break from the chaos now and then. You need to be sure you have time to exercise, sleep, eat, and maintain your lifestyle.

Begin loving and nurturing yourself today. Allow your natural childlike joy, playfulness, and enthusiasm to permeate your daily experiences. Allow yourself to celebrate every success, no matter how minor. Every chance you get, love and appreciate yourself. Do this every day and watch your weight melt away, just as your old negative beliefs about yourself do.