What would you say is the most important factor in long-term weight loss?
Nutrition?
Exercise?
Sleep?
I’d argue none of the above.
I believe, without a doubt, that the factor that influences weight loss above all else is your mindset.
After all, Henry Ford said: “Whether you think that you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
I have personally experienced this undeniable truth in every aspect of life from strength, fat loss, becoming a professional dancer, building a business, achieving higher education, relationships, and more. It’s absolutely the truth.
So if you want to lose body fat, increase health, and live in the body you deserve, I want you to consider a few things…
Most diets work. There, I said it. They work for a while. They work while you have enough “willpower” to adhere. But you know something about willpower? It’s finite. We can’t rely on it forever.
If you want a lean, healthy body for the long term, whatever you’re doing today needs to be something you can imagine yourself doing a year from now and beyond. If you’ve ever had the following thoughts, you’re not alone:
“I’ll be happy when I weigh _______.”
“I’ll be happy when I can fit into a size ________.”
“When I finally achieve __________, I will go back to eating ‘normally’.”
These statements are what I refer to as the DIETER’S MINDSET. It’s short-term focused and unsustainable.
Too often in weight loss, we have a restrictive mindset. We say “I can’t have that!” And that thought will start to dominate. Then, the thing you “can’t have” will be the one thing you really want! Yikes!
But what if we changed our mindset to one of abundance? What if you thought “I get to eat all of these beautiful, colorful foods that will nourish my body.” Or, “I CHOOSE not to eat cookies.” How EMPOWERING is that!?
Think back on a time in your life where you can recognize a dieter’s mindset. How could you do things differently going forward to ensure success?
So what’s your choice? A short term mindset of restriction or a long term mindset of abundance?
Believe in your ability to be successful. Commit to a plan. Throw out the dieter’s mindset. Operate from a place of abundance. Love yourself no matter what.
There’s your formula for success.
