Are you in a hurry to lose weight?
Jan 30, 2022Are you in a hurry to lose weight?
I understand.
Being surrounded by diet culture – with messages like lose 10 lbs fast or drop the holiday pounds – it’s easy to get caught up and want that, too.
But when we approach weight loss with the belief that it should be fast, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. (Anyone remember watching The Biggest Loser?)
First, because we’re more likely to make restrictive choices that we’re willing to do in the short term to get to that elusive number. But do you really want to eat medically prescribed bars and shakes for the long term?
Second, beginning a weight loss program with the expectation that it will be fast sets us up to be impatient with our bodies and our lives. Most of us end up feeling defeated and frustrated with ourselves instead of the program we chose that over promised and under delivered.
Third, we put way too much importance on the number on the scale. Sure, the scale is one objective measurement. But it’s more helpful to measure our progress by habit change.
When we don’t see a change on the scale, we’re disappointed – thinking that we did everything right and that our efforts aren’t working.
But the woman who reaches her goal is the one who keeps going.
Tracking habit change is much more effective.
When you see that you were on track with your habits 80 percent of the time that week, that becomes your success measurement.
And it gives you a concrete place to focus your efforts.
Where could you level up to move a habit to 85%?
A key part of sustainable weight loss is looking at our behaviors as simply data. It’s neutral. We see what went well and where we want to make shifts.
This process helps us become women who achieve and maintain their goals.
Want to learn more about sustainable weight loss? I can help with that. 🙋🏽♀️
Set up a free 45-minute consultation session with me so that we can see if we’re a good fit to work together.