“I got the perfect plan this time. Am starting my workout to loose 30 pounds in the next 4 months. This will be my food journal. That is my daily exercise routine.” You tell yourself. Yes, you have embarked on the same program you tried the other time. This time you are determined to achieve your target.
So the program starts and you do as per the plan for the first couple of days. Then, everything is going just fine as you are sticking to the rules of the game. You are avoiding high-calorie foods, You are walking to school, mall and work place, you are doing most of the house chores by yourself. The train has just left the station and you are starting to loose some pounds. How is that not exciting.
Then distraction slowly creeps in through the voices in you telling you how this food is so boring, you don’t have time to walk to work. You miss a ride downtown in your luxurious machine. You realize how you need to put more effort to your duties and studies.The craving of that cheese in the fridge drives you crazy and within no time the weight you once lose start encroaching. Does this sound familiar to you?
An unpleasant barrier noew builds between you and achieving a long lasting weight-loss. These are just mental barriers that you developed over the course of the journey. Therefore, our gospel today is of breaking those barriers.
The step towards achieving a sustainable weight-loss is through self-awareness. Understanding that you have an obstacle that is actually dragging you each time you try to shade those pounds off. The solution is to create a plan that will suit your lifestyle and help you achieve a long term weight loss.
Here is a list of mental barriers suitable for any weight loss candidate. You need to be aware of how you will follow the set plan. If you do overcome, you win the game.
a) Self-doubt
Perhaps you think that you don’t have skill and experience to start the program. If you have this kind of mentality, you already have a mental barrier that you need to deal with before taking the next step.
A wellness couch, personal trainer or dietician comes in handy with the relevant information to your case. The professional guys will give you a road map and keep you in the track throughout the process. You can also read articles, blogs and magazines that guide on weight loss topics.
b) Fear of failure
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right,” Henry Ford said. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on small success that will contribute to your final success.
The best way to overcome failure is to experience success.
c) Boredom
Once you have found a suitable weight plan ensure that it is very flexible and you become as creative as possible. Put in your schedule a new thing every single moment. Eat those vegetables and fruits you have never eaten before. Enroll in gym classes that are new to keep your muscles guessing the next workout.
d) Not seeing results quick enough
Weight loss is a process and expected results take time. It needs patience and a dedicated mind. A steady and slow process will lead to long lasting results. Do not be gravitated by short term results as that might disappoint you in the long run. Remember that weight loss is not measured by scale alone. For instance, it can be measured by how much better you can climb stairs among others.
e) Comparing yourself to others
The most demotivating thing in life is comparing yourself to fellow friends. It is a risk you dont want to take cause it is negative in itself. The best way to check on your performance is by comparing your current self to the old you. Comparing how much you weigh this month to how much you weighed the last couple of months. That’s where you started. Focus only on your progress and believe in the process towards your end goal.
is it too overwhelming and you do know where to start?
Developing sustainable habits that will propel a healthy lifestyle takes effort and commitment. And it all starts when you identify your current problem and set your final objectives. Making the first step requires effort and it takes discipline to continue practicing the same healthy habits. Start with small steps and advance to the most advanced exercises as your body adjust.
In addition, your goal to reduce weight have to be “I SHOULD” and not “I WANT”. There should be no reason under the sun to stop you from working towards your weight loss goals.
Success is a thing that motivates every human being. Ensure you reward yourself for every single milestone you achieve in the process. Regardless of the amount of change.
Do no listen to negative critics. It is often very tempting to give up when people who are close to you don’t offer the required support. Trust yourself and know that you are fully responsible for what you want in your life. No one will walk down that journey for you. Keep going for that great process in your precious life.
