Before you physically start on your weight loss plan, it is vital that you are mentally prepared for it. The mental challenge of it is much harder than the physical one. The success of your fitness plan depends largely on your readiness to take on the challenge.
Knowing why you should exercise and even how to do it, is not enough. Developing the right mindset is most important to getting inspired and staying motivated. Otherwise, your weight-loss strategy is likely to buckle under the first challenge you face.
If exercise is to be a lifelong habit and a part of your daily routine, then you have to change your lifestyle. Radical changes might help to lose weight more quickly but those that aren’t sustainable will not be effective over the long term. Change can be hard and overwhelming; it can stress you out and make you give up. But keep in mind that challenges in life are inevitable while being defeated is optional.
1. Resolve your Emotional Issues
Emotions and food are often intertwined. Emotions like grief, boredom, stress and anger can lead to overeating. Identify any emotional issues related to food and prepare a plan to deal with them.
I started with a self-analysis of why I kept putting off starting an exercise routine and why I could never stick to the sensible diet plan I made for myself. I tend to overeat as I used to tire myself out juggling household chores, the kids, and my career. I realized that I was hesitating to put my diet and fitness plan into action as my mind subconsciously believed ‘less food meant less fuel’ for my body.
Once I understood the root of my problem, I devised a healthy meal plan that gave my mind the confidence that my body will be getting the energy fuel it needed at frequent intervals. My exercise plan was really simple and basic; the aim was to just get started without feeling overwhelmed. I identified various triggers that got me so tired in the first place. I adjusted my daily routines accordingly and ensured I got adequate sleep.
You need to examine your own life, your emotional issues, relationships, etc. and detect the hidden land mines, if any, which are blowing up your fitness plans.
2. Identify What Motivates You
You have to re-examine your priorities in life and set them in the right order. Your health should always come first.
Identify other positive and motivating reasons to shed the pounds, such as, toning your body, improving your appearance, increasing your energy levels, setting a good example for your kids, to boost your self-esteem or to simply feel better about yourself.
3. Self-fulfilling Prophecies
We are what we think. All that we are, arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. This a famous quote from the Buddha – Dhammapada.
According to the law of attraction, if you think positively you attract the positive energy and if you are a doom and gloom person you will find all kinds of negative things happening to you.
This may sound like philosophical trash, but personally, I have found it to be quite true. If you look at sci-fi movies from decades back, whatever gadgets, cars, etc. were portrayed as futuristic, it is all real today. If the human mind can imagine it, then it becomes a possibility and ultimately a reality.
You have to believe in yourself and that what you are trying to achieve is possible. Visualize yourself losing weight, becoming healthier and fit. Embrace the vision of your new lifestyle and remain positive. Imagine how good you’ll feel when you weigh less on the scale.
The right mindset, patience, and persistence will definitely help you reach your weight loss targets. The story of Drew Manning [the guy in the image at the beginning) is truly inspiring – and it proves that the mindset is what matters the most – for gaining weight or losing it.
