For many people with obesity and overweight issues, it can be difficult to visualize themselves as anything other than heavy. This is particularly true for people who have struggled with their weight throughout their lives, as it can be difficult to break unhealthy habits when a lighter, healthier life seems virtually impossible.
Unfortunately, this inability to think positively about the future can seriously hinder weight loss efforts, as it can generate a sense of hopelessness and force people back into unhealthy eating patterns. When I have sessions with my clients I always give talks about positive thinking and the importance to be in control of our decisions we make every day. I encourage my clients daily to follow an action plan with small lifestyle changes and make their goal work for them. You will see how it is surprisingly motivated once you know how.
I share the following tips with you to help you learn habits that will improve your confidence and self-belief, and make your weight loss goals a little more achievable:
Break down your goals into an achievable timeline
It can be all too easy to hope for quick and easy results when taking on a new weight loss regime. However, effective and sustainable weight management is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is unrealistic to expect your efforts to take effect immediately. Rather than beating yourself up about not losing weight fast enough, set realistic goals and reward yourself with a treat once you’ve reached them.
Ignore self-sabotaging thoughts
Catastrophising and coming up with destructive thoughts such as “I’ll be heavy forever” are self-sabotaging actions that will only hinder your weight loss efforts. If you ever catch yourself self-sabotaging, divert them with positive thoughts such as: “Although I’ve not reached my goals, I’m going to put more time aside for exercise and planning.”
List your accomplishments
It can be easy to slip into negative thought patterns when things aren’t going our way, and this can stretch beyond mere body image. One negative thought about weight can lead to self-destructive thoughts about our perceived mediocrity at work or what we might think of as an inadequate social life. In reality, these thoughts are unlikely to be a reflection of what we truly think about ourselves, but a symptom of negative thought patterns.
To avert these mental traps, come up with a list of all things you like about yourself in terms of your professional or personal life. Reminding yourself of these things when negative thoughts start to creep up can make getting back into a positive mode of thinking much easier, and lead you on the path to weight loss success.
If you’d like to talk more about weight loss and positive thinking, please feel free to reach out to discuss private sessions. I love helping clients with this issue!
