WEIGHT LOSS BENEFITS

Not prioritizing the changes we want to make

Many of us are busy and have many things demanding our attention and time. We may be regularly spread in multiple directions. But people who want to lose weight may, as a result of lacking the time or resources to plan nutritious meals, exercise, get enough sleep, and so on end up making choices that do not further this goal.

By sending ourselves the message, however unconscious it may be, that we don’t have time to address weight loss and other health goals, we are making it more challenging to find or set aside time to achieve these things. If we move this item up on our to-do list, we are more likely to remain aware of our desires and goals and less likely to make choices that will sabotage them.

How We Think About Ourselves

Negative body image

Adopting a positive body image is a challenge for many people. Though some may recognize they harbor a negative body image, they may not recognize how this is holding back their weight-loss attempts. Some may attempt to shame themselves into losing weight by repeating negative messages about how they look, but these internalized messages are generally more likely to frustrate a person and disrupt weight-loss attempts even more. Consequently, people then struggle to overcome these negative messages while also attempting to lose weight.

Ourselves vs. others

You are you. Your body is yours. Someone else’s body or weight-loss journey is their own. It may seem motivating to compare ourselves with others, but all too often this can lead to feelings of failure when we fall short in comparison. What works for one person might not work for another. Recognize that your weight-loss journey is yours alone. Your plan of action is yours alone. It can also help to keep in mind that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and some desired sizes and shapes may simply be unattainable for certain body types.