When you first set out to lose weight, everything seems exciting and new. But after a few weeks go by and the pounds don’t come off as fast as you hoped they would… Things get harder.
The struggle is real for almost everyone trying to drop some pounds. You might find it challenging to stay motivated, keep a healthy diet and exercise routine, or even stick to just one weight loss strategy rather than switching from one thing to another every few weeks. So what do you do when all these psychological barriers start getting in the way of your weight loss efforts? Read on for some excellent tips on how to get past those roadblocks and succeed in your weight loss journey.
Be realistic about your weight loss goals
Even though the ads promoting weight loss might make it seem like it’s easy to lose 10 pounds in a week, or even a day, the reality is that this is not the case.
Weight loss is a slow and steady process, and you will see your best results by being realistic about how quickly you can achieve your goals. If you have 50 pounds to lose, it’s not realistic to think that you will see significant results in three months. Be honest with yourself about how much weight you can realistically lose in the amount of time that you have set aside to do so.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the number on the scale is not the only measure of success. You might see a smaller number on the scale, but if you have lost mostly muscle mass and not fat, that does not make you any less successful. You should also set goals for your diet and exercise habits as well as your weight.
Create a healthy routine
In order to make weight loss a regular part of your routine, you need to make it a consistent part of your life. If you want to lose weight, you will have to eat healthily, control your portion sizes, and exercise regularly.
If you are one of the many people who want to lose weight but don’t have a routine set up yet, the first step is to set a routine. When you start a weight loss routine, you need to plan out your meals, track your calories and macronutrients, and make time for exercise.
Creating a healthy eating and exercise routine will not only help you lose weight, but it will also help you maintain your weight once you’ve reached your desired weight.
Track your progress
If you are not tracking your progress, then you might not even notice that you are experiencing a loss of inches and a loss of fat. You can track your progress with the help of measurements, photographs, or even a journal where you write down what you eat and how much you exercise each day. You can also track your progress with apps like MyFitnessPal.
With these tools, you will have accurate information about your progress so you don’t have to rely on your own memory. You might also want to consider getting a fitness tracker so you can track everything from your heart rate to the number of steps you walk in a day.
Find an accountability partner
Having an accountability partner can help you stay on track and stay motivated throughout your weight loss journey.
Some people choose a friend or family member to partner with and meet with them once a week so they can check in and hold each other accountable to their goals. Another option is to find an online platform that promotes accountability and personal progress, like the Fitocracy app. Fitocracy is a social networking app that can help you find an accountability partner, track your progress, and give you motivation to keep going when times get tough.
The best accountable one could every have is a personal health and fitness coach. Here are some reasons why having a fitness coach as an accountability partner for weight loss can help:
- They understand what it’s like to be overweight. They’ve been there, done that and know how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. They know what it feels like to be judged by others based on their appearance or size, and they know how hard it is to feel comfortable in their own skin when they don’t have enough energy or confidence to put themselves out there in the world. That’s why they’re passionate about helping others achieve success in their fitness goals!
- They’re role models for healthy living. When you see someone else making healthy choices, it motivates you to make healthy choices too! This is especially true if your
Need a health and fitness coach? Book a call with Rita today so you can break through the psychological barriers.
Develop a ritual to help you stay motivated
We all have those days when we don’t feel like getting out of bed, let alone going for a walk or cooking a healthy meal. On days like this, you might feel like you don’t have the motivation to keep going.
You can combat this by creating a ritual to help keep you motivated and on track. Rituals are an excellent way to help you stay consistent and stay focused on your goals and desired outcomes. Depending on your lifestyle and weight loss goals, you can choose rituals that work best for you.
Some examples include lighting a candle, listening to your favourite music, writing down your goals, or even meditating.
Don’t compare yourself to others
Social media can be a wonderful thing, but it also comes with a lot of pitfalls. One of the biggest pitfalls is the tendency to compare your life and your journey to others. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole of comparing your progress and lifestyle to others. When you are starting out, it’s easy to look at other people’s posts and think that they are further ahead than you and that you don’t measure up. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has their own journey and that not everyone will progress at the same rate.
When you are trying to lose weight, you will inevitably come across some roadblocks. These roadblocks might be psychological or they might be related to any number of other factors. The key is to identify these barriers and find ways to overcome them. With these psychological tips and tricks, you can overcome your barriers and reach your weight loss goals.
