When you set goals in life redefining your thoughts and changing your mind-set will help you achieve your goals. Some people I know will say “I will never be able to be the size I was in high school”, or “I don’t have time to get in a workout,” and “my family won’t eat healthy.”
All I hear is “never”, “don’t”, I will try, and “won’t”? Anyone else? These are all words that give your mind the chance to escape and not accomplish what you set out for yourself. All of you have the power and ability to do whatever you set your mind to! I know you have heard that and that’s what it is all about setting your MIND to it!
The majority of how we live is due to mindset. The hardest part about exercising and eating better is just starting and making it a habit. This is not just a physical obstacle; it’s a mental one as well. There are days that are battles in your head that you have to fight about eating those sweet treats—to eat that muffin, or cookie or not– and those continuous battles turn into bigger ones after you ingested 4 or more of those sweet little things that spin into a viscous cycle…those are all mental games that you have to overcome and train your mind to fight off.
By simply, reframing your cravings or working out thoughts to make it more likely to stay on the path towards your goals. If you are presented with something that is no longer part of what you’d like to be consuming, instead of saying, “I can’t have that,” say “I don’t eat that, “I don’t” is language of empowerment; “I can’t” is language of deprivation.
Here is some tips I can give you to help you change your mind so you can change your life:
1. Set realistic goals for yourself
When you start trying to lose weight, try to remember that you are making a lifelong change. Weight loss results may not come as quickly as you hope sometimes, but try not to overdo it or become discouraged. Start to focus on short-term goals that you can control like your daily exercise and establish more long-term goals for weight loss. One that I have seen help people is register for an event. This will help you stay on track and motivated to reach stepping-stones along your health and fitness path.
2. Envision your future self
One way to help you focus on your weight loss goals is to think about how you will look and feel when you meet your weight loss target. However, this mental exercise should not make you feel discouraged or unhealthy about your current self. You should simply try to think about the opportunities that a healthy lifestyle will provide you in the long-term.
3. When it comes to exercise, do what you enjoy
As you try to lose weight, you should focus on activities that you enjoy doing, rather than forcing yourself to complete unwanted tasks. If you love the outdoors, consider taking short walks a few times each week, even if it is just to the end of your block and back. If you simply enjoy watching TV or movies, you can view your programs while doing chair exercises or simple bicep curls with light weights. By devoting your energy to activities that you get pleasure from, you will be more likely to remain positive and committed for the long-term.
4. Feel confident
Being able to maintain self-confidence is often one of the most important factors affecting the success of weight loss. Hence, you should do your best to think of yourself as a healthy and active person. Remind yourself that each day you remain serious about losing weight will make you look and feel better, and move you closer to achieving your goals.
5. Find a friend
Many people considering new weight loss plans don’t take action because they simply don’t know how or where to begin. To help overcome that road block, consider asking a friend or family member to join you in the journey. By sharing your weight loss goals with another, you will both gain valuable support and motivation.
6. Look for different ways to measure your success
When it comes to losing weight, everyone has different goals and visions of success. Yet, one of the best tips for everyone to follow when trying to measure weight loss success is the most simple: avoid the scale. While you will certainly want to measure your actual weight loss, weighing yourself every day can provide deceptive results and put a damper on your positive attitude. Instead, try to focus on how you feel as you begin losing weight. After a few months following a weight loss plan, you might find yourself able to participate in a certain activity that you never thought you could or notice your clothing fitting more loosely. Use these simple triumphs as markers of success and think about new goals as you go forward.
7. Reward Yourself
When you meet your long-term weight loss goals, try to reward yourself in a healthy way. If you are able to keep a potential reward in mind when thinking about weight loss, you might gain enough motivation to work through even the toughest days. On the other hand, if you aren’t meeting your goals as quickly as you hoped, it is important not to beat yourself up. Rather than getting discouraged, simply continue with your weight loss plan and know that your diligence will eventually pay off.
What can you take away from this is….. when it comes to losing weight, you should devote as much energy to creating a positive attitude as you do to your diet and exercise. When you begin your weight loss journey, don’t be discouraged about having to start your physical activity program slowly. Instead, realize that your health and fitness will improve little by little each day as a result of your commitment. Most importantly, in the early stages of your weight loss, try to cultivate a mental attitude that will help you reach your weight loss goals. Over time, with a changed mind-set you will not only will you be more positive you will get to your goal faster with a new mind-set.