Weight loss is not only about the food choices we make; it’s also about what’s going on inside our heads.
When it comes to weight loss, there are several hurdles to overcome towards the starting line. When deciding to make a change, we have to form new habits in our daily life to make them easier to achieve. Doing the same thing that doesn’t work over and over is the definition of insanity. Habits take about one month to cement in our routine and our consciousness. Making an effort every single day is what guarantees success.
8 of the biggest excuses that can prevent fat loss
- You don’t like healthy food and find it bland and tasteless
- It’s expensive to eat healthy long term
- You don’t know where to start
- You don’t like exercise
- You don’t know what training to perform
- There isn’t enough time in the day for preparing food
- You want unhealthy food too much
- You can’t be bothered with the effort involved
Do any of these sound familiar to you? Are they part of your excuse, or someone close to you? I believe all of these eight excuses are in and of themselves essential to address, but the critical first step here is to find the primary inhibitor that stops YOU. Sometimes, it can be a fear you cannot explain or perhaps you don’t know what it is. It takes time and conscious effort to become aware of the problem & take the necessary steps to overcome it. Here is the number one cause of most weight loss failures:-
Lack of self-belief that you can achieve your goal
Lack of self-belief in yourself and what you can achieve becomes hidden in the tiny excuses mentioned above. You think deep down that you don’t have the knowledge, commitment, and drive to go all in and achieve those weight loss results you want badly enough. These are self-limiting beliefs and stop us in our tracks, paralysing us with fear and self-doubt. I’ve experienced this on far too many occasions myself. It’s excruciatingly challenging and a significant roadblock when it comes to achieving our goals. The question now stands as to what we can do about this lack of self-belief and how we can overcome it to achieve what we want? Here is what I’ve used time and time again that never fails. I do hope it helps you too.
Five ways to break through the barriers holding you back from achieving your goals
Write a list of the things you want. What is your ideal weight? What do you want to wear, how do you feel and look when you’ve achieved this. Visualisation is key to igniting your imagination of what you want to achieve. Think of that gorgeous dress, bikini, those muscles and that flat belly. It’s all within your reach whenever you choose it. It takes work and commitment and most certainly comes with the need to ignore the voice telling you otherwise. Eventually, when you stop listening to it, the voice becomes a lot quieter.
Two: Create a beautiful Image board
Put images of what clothes you want to wear, what kind of body you aspire to have, what person on social media inspires you, the places you want to visit — anything else that will entice you to keep moving towards your goal. I love putting affirmations on my wall and even images of athletes I admire for their hard work, tenacity and positive influences. So put this board somewhere you can see every day to remind you of what’s to come. Please take a photo of it and put it on your phone screen saver. That’s a guarantee you will see it every day, especially when tempted to stick your head in the fridge for an unnecessary snack! Three: Start small, and start todayEven if it’s one thing you do, do it today and stick with it. Then, as your confidence grows, add more to the list. Soon enough, it will become second nature to you. No matter how small, celebrate the wins because they all add up to something substantial long term. Four: Get support Instill the trust of a close friend, sibling or relative you can talk with regularly. For example, could you pick up the phone and call them instead of reaching for the fridge door when you have a bad day? Pour your heart, and let it all out — listen to their guidance or advice. It’s so important to have people on your team along any challenging journey. One day, you could be a support person for someone else who is slightly behind you but on the same pathway. Five: Remember that weight loss takes some time, embrace the journey
We all want results right now, and when they don’t appear, there is an even bigger chance we will cave in and go back to our old ways. Successful people are the ones that stick to it through thick and thin. They go out there, search far and wide for the answers, and get them. Yes, it’s hard at times, but you are capable of this and much more. It all starts with your self-belief and building upon that up, brick by brick every day. It’s not only about the results; it’s about the journey you take that will determine the person you become. Keep the flame alive until you get there.
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