Sometimes worrying about your weight seems like enough stress by itself, let alone combined with going to the gym, working out and taking care of what you’re eating. In the sea of advice, none seem to be beneficial and it’s sometimes just too much.
Your mind has an equally (if not more) important role in losing weight as your body has. As your body will work with what it has, your mind controls the rest. It’s no wonder it sometimes gets overworked! If you’re having a hard time overcoming your mental blocks, make sure to take your time and try some simple steps to work on it.
A few weeks ago we dived into the topic of the science behind setting achievable goals. One of the most important factors you have to consider when setting your goals is to be realistic about what the outcome can be. You can’t lose 20 pounds in a month, at least not in a healthy way so it may be a time to reevaluate your goal. Maybe you’ve gained muscle and your Basal Metabolic Rate is higher so you get hungry faster as your body burns more calories, even when you’re not working out.
Make sure you’re eating enough to maintain your health.
Your diet shouldn’t be making you feel hungry for more than half an hour as it creates an opposite effect. Your body goes into “survival mode”, scared of not getting enough nutrients and can start storing fat as a precaution.
If you’re having a hard time following your diet, try to spice it up using different recipes of similar caloric value. New spices also do the trick!
It’s easy to get caught in the loop of not eating enough and feeling like you need to lose more weight. Today, when the prevalence of eating disorders is getting under control, it’s important to start from yourself and define why you’d like to lose weight.
Wanting to do it because of your looks is not inherently bad as it is sometimes pictured and for most people that is the primary motivation behind their weight loss. What is important is not to forget your health in the process. Set achievable goals around the idea of not only looking better but feeling better.
Maybe you want to be more agile, climb that set of stairs without heavy breathing or running that half-marathon. Don’t forget, if your goals are about your health, your looks will follow.
Maybe there’s a reason behind your body craving something sweet – your blood sugar may be low. Whether you’re on a strict diet or just started making dietary changes, your body should be your guideline. Don’t eat food you hate and make it harder for yourself! Try simpler alternatives. If you hate cottage cheese – try skyr! It has an equal amount of protein and fat and you can add dried fruit for a “fruit yogurt” which has the same benefits as that low-fat cheese everyone eats.
Focus not only on calorie intake but on the number of nutrients you’re fueling your body with. Are you eating enough protein? Do you need more carbs? Is your vitamin C intake sufficient?
These are some of the questions you should ask yourself when faced with a challenging day.
Losing weight is hard. We all know it, but it’s something that benefits us in so many ways. From more energy, better mobility and, if done properly, healthier body. Don’t miss your chance to feel better because it’s difficult at times. Make a change today for a better future!
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