9 WHAY OF THINKING TO LOSE WEIGHT

For your weight loss strategy to really work, you need to think right. Changing your mindset about how to lose weight is the biggest factor in losing weight. Most people try to lose weight with the worst state of mind. They become obsessed with results and focus on quick solutions that do not provide sustainability in the long run.

This type of thinking can be destructive. Instead of focusing on the good things that can come from weight loss, such as better health, a longer life, more enjoyment of everyday activities and prevention of diabetes and heart disease. Many people who focus on quick results can experience negative thoughts when things do not go as fast as they thought. In the end, such a negative mindset leads to failure.

While psychologists emphasize that how you see yourself and your identity predict your actions, biology also plays a role. Research even shows that the stress hormone cortisol, which is released every time you feel low or worry about weight, increases the distribution of fat around the abdomen.

Fortunately, the mind is a flexible Follow these tips to change your mindset and make your weight loss journey healthier, happier and more efficient:

1. Change your goals

Losing weight can be a result, but it should not be the goal. Instead, your goals should be small and sustainable things that you have full control over. For example, did you eat five servings of fruits and vegetables today? How about eight hours of sleep? Create small daily goals that will help you with your long-term goals.

2. Try to be positive

Surround yourself with positive people. Doing so gives you an encouraging and healthy environment that creates better conditions for weight loss. Do not be afraid to ask for help or support.

3. Think again about rewards and punishments

Remembering to make healthy choices is a way to exercise self-care. Food is not a reward, and exercise is not a punishment. They are both ways to take care of your body and help you feel good. You deserve both.

4. Breathe

Taking a few minutes at the beginning of your workout, or even at the beginning of the day, to slow down and simply focus on breathing, making contact with your body will lead to lowering your body's stress level.

5. Discard the calendar

Patience is also important when you lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. Also, if you are focusing on achieving goals, like taking 10,000 steps every day, there is no reason to be too focused on future goals. Every 24 hours comes with new successes; focus on them. Take one day at a time, step by step you will get closer to your goal.

6. Identify your problem thoughts

Identify the thoughts that are getting you in trouble and work to stop and change them. Maybe it's your internal dialogue when you look in the mirror. Or cravings you get when you get stressed. Let them deliberately stop by saying "stop" out loud. It may sound silly, but the simple action will break your chain of thought and give yourself the opportunity to think a new, healthier thought.

7. Do not weigh yourself

Weighing yourself is not a bad thing to do, but many of us have learned to associate it with self-destructive thoughts and actions. If it's you, do not even bother to go on the scales until you reach a place where the number on the scale does not define your value.

8. Do not think of food as "good or bad"

Somewhere along the way, we have learned to feel either proud or guilty of every food choice we make. But it's just food, and you should not have to feel guilty when you want one or two cakes. Give yourself permission to have a glass of wine or a piece of chocolate cake.

9. Focus on the achievable

If you have never been to a gym before, your goal should not be to do 30 minutes on the treadmill on day one. A better goal might be to go for a 20-minute walk. If you want to cook healthier food but have some experience with healthy recipes or are very busy, do not expect to make new healthy recipes every night after work. Start where you are and change one thing at a time as fast as you can. As we said before, one step at a time towards the goal you want to reach. It needs to take time. Patience will create the goal you want to achieve in the long run.

The Kickstart Team