New Year’s resolutions are upon us. Many Americans will embark on a new and improved weight loss journey! When it comes to weight loss, there are lots of tips and tricks out there. Some of them may work, but sadly many do not. Underneath the diet dos and don’ts, there are a lot of self-defeating thoughts that keep you stuck in the roller coaster.
I can’t do it. As I often tell my clients when they tell me they can’t do something, there is a huge difference between can’t and won’t. Can’t implies that you are not capable. I have yet to meet anyone who isn’t capable of making the changes necessary to get to a healthy weight. We are all capable of change and starting small, we just need to piece together the steps to get where we want to go. Don’t is an entirely different matter. Most of us fail to change, not because we aren’t capable, but because we simply don’t follow through. Don’t is always a choice.
It’s too hard/too much work. This is a tough one. Which is harder, the life you have now or the life you envision? The struggle in change is temporary, yet you have put so much emotional energy into keeping yourself exactly where you don’t want to be. There are many things in life that are hard. Battling cancer is hard. Going through a divorce is hard. Having a loved one die is hard. Keep things in perspective! Exercise and changing your relationship with food are not as difficult as you have made them out to be. Just break your goals down into smaller pieces.
I’ve tried everything and nothing works! Fad diets don’t work. I will give you that one, but have you REALLY tried everything? In my experience, most people try new behaviors for a few weeks and give up when they don’t see the results they expect. It takes time to see the outcome of behavior change. Plus, people rarely change their relationship with food. Instead, they just give themselves new rules to follow. Change your mind and you will be able to change your body! By changing your negative self-talk, you can get out of your own way and stop sabotaging your success!
If I’m not perfect, I’m a failure. This all or nothing approach to any goal, but particularly weight loss is catastrophic. It is a setup and I will guarantee you will not be successful. Instead of trying everything all at once, start small and build on your successes. There will surely be many more of them that way!
Michelle Lewis
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Michelle Lewis has been working in the mental health field since 2001. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Weber State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Utah. She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals.
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