Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Getting healthier and learning to love your body can be hard, especially when it’s been a constant battle (sometimes for years). But, it doesn’t have to be.
Here are 7 things to keep in mind when you’re on your weight loss journey.
- Your thoughts matter more than you think
If you’re constantly thinking about how gross you are, how much you hate your body, and how you’ll never actually be able to lose weight, well, guess what? It’s going to be pretty hard to make healthy changes that last.
Take a step back and choose to see yourself through a lens of love. Would you ever speak to your friend like you speak to yourself? I think not.
So – what would you say to your friend, feeling the exact same way about her body? Really think about it. And once you’re clear on how much kinder you’d be to your friend, tune-in, and start talking to yourself like you would a loved one because (to put it simply) you just can’t make positive changes when you’re constantly beating yourself up.
- Before anything, you’ve got to appreciate your body exactly as it is
Transitioning from a place of hate to a place of love towards your body is transformative. When you can appreciate all your body allows you to do, you start to respect your body in a way that allows you to make healthier choices.
You can want your body to change to become healthier. But the difference from before is that once in this place of gratitude, your intentions for your body are ones out of love, respect, and care –not hate, disgust, and disrespect. And that change is monumental in all of your daily choices.
- Your weight won’t make you happy
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve met thousands of unhappy thin people. Your weight doesn’t determine your happiness. Happiness is an inside job. It’s about self-love and acceptance. And it stems from choosing love and faith over fear, moving your body out of love, setting healthy boundaries, asking for what you need, cultivating supportive relationships, and choosing to honor your hunger and fullness.
As you go throughout your journey, remember the inner stuff is just as important as the outer stuff – it’s where lasting change occurs.
- Small steps forward are success
In a world of huge dramatic weight losses, your choice of a salad for lunch instead of a burger may seem insignificant to you. But, it’s not. It makes you feel better, more vibrant, and alive. That’s the stuff that matters. And remember, this is real life – not the movies or television. So on a daily basis, remind yourself that all steps, even small steps, are important steps. They key is to just keep taking steps.
- You’re going to have hard times and that’s okay
Just like any other journey, you’re going to have bad times. Times that have you feeling like you’re ready to throw in the towel, that you just can’t do this, and that none of your hard work matters. Just knowing that you (and everyone else) will have hard times is comforting. You are not alone.
The important thing is to use the lessons that you learn from these times as growth opportunities. We have pain and struggles so we can grow. Without pain, we’d stay where we are, which (if you ask me) isn’t really the point. Walk away knowing that no goal is win/lose, all goals are win/learn and grow with grace.
- Deprivation does no one any good
Diets don’t work. That’s why there’s a new one every other week. Ditch the diets (and deprivation) and start focusing on how certain foods make you feel. You’ll notice that real whole fresh foods make you feel happy, vibrant, and healthy.
And start tuning-in to your hunger. When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re full stop. When you begin to listen to your body and choose healthy foods, you’re body will naturally stop you when you’re done. You’ve just got to tune-in.
- Connect with your body doing something you love
Whether it’s through yoga, nature hikes, or group exercise classes, find an activity you enjoy that involves moving your body. Through movement we get out of our heads and connect with our physical being in a whole new empowering way. The super important part is that you’re moving your body doing something you love.
One of my clients once brilliantly told me, “If I had to tell my former self something, I’d ask her what she liked to do as a child. What activity brought her joy? Once I had the answer I’d go do (way) more of that. Movement is therapy for the soul, that is, if you like what you’re doing.”
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and Wellness Coach with a Masters in Nutrition. Specializing in coaching, weight loss, and behavior change, Corinne has helped hundreds of women develop a healthy positive relationship with food, their body, and themselves. She helps women do this by showing them how to create a healthy lifestyle (they love) using a holistic approach. She believes lasting change starts from the inside out. Visit her at CorinneDobbas.com and see how to work with her here.
The post 7 Things to Remember When You’re Trying to Lose Weight appeared first on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement.