By: Siddiqu, The Personal Trainer
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Are you eating right, exercising, but still not losing weight? Have you tried every diet in the book with no luck? Do you lose weight only to gain it right back?
There’s one major thing that people, including fitness professionals, usually forget to take into account when dealing with weight loss — your mind. The mind is powerful, and can very well be working against you. If it seems like you’re going nowhere fast, there’s a pretty good chance it has nothing to do with your actions, and everything to do with the way you’re thinking.
The brain fears change. It is very scary becoming a different person. What happens to the old person? How will people respond to you? Will you be able to maintain it? These are all questions that you will ask, at least on a subconscious level. I can receive an inbox from a person inquiring about personal training, and in that very same message have their excuse for why they cannot train (money, time, etc…)
Mentally, you have to understand that if you do not change today, the weight and/or fitness level will only get worse, never better.
Remember that fad diets usually result in short-term success that ends with the weight coming right back. The feeling of being back to square one usually leaves people with a feeling of defeat. In most cases, this will cause a counter-effect; causing people to eat more.
Many people like to blame others for their weight issues:
- The only person who can change you is you. Yes, I’m one of the best personal trainers I know, but if a person refuses to work out without me, or eats junk and fast food on a consistent basis, they will never tone up or lose weight. Some people use their weight as a crutch and a conversation starter. Don’t allow your identity to be rooted in being overweight or out of shape.
- My parents taught me to eat the wrong type of foods.
- My wife cooks for me.
- My husband always brings fast food home
- I have two kids
- It’s genetics.
- I’ve accepted myself like this.
Don’t beat yourself up. I’ll say it again: Don’t beat yourself up. Being hard on yourself only leads to hating yourself, which never helps anything.
Instead, focus on the times you were able to stay strong and celebrate those moments, no matter how small. Maybe you avoided the office box of donuts, or chose a salad over a burger. Giving attention to the positive things will help to create greater self-confidence and motivation to continue with your weight loss goals.
And please stop telling everyone how much you hate going to the gym and exercising. Exercising is something that many people are unable to do physically. Keep telling yourself that you are miserable exercising, and see how you feel when you can’t do it anymore. Enjoy what you have while you still have it.
Photo via CanGetFit.com
