Hello friends!
You might find that like millions of Americans today, you may not be where you want to be when it comes to your health. You may be living with one or more chronic diseases that may be related to your weight. You may be treating yourself with any number of medications and you may feel like there is no way out of this situation. Trust me, you are not alone.
Millions of people suffer from chronic diseases every day. And modern medicine’s approach to treating these issues is very much flawed. There is a pill or surgery for almost every disease. However, 70% of diseases today are caused by lifestyle choices. People are getting illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic illnesses, mainly from the decisions they make every day.
The #1 factor that these all have in common is very simple but misunderstood: diet. The Standard American Diet is the main culprit when it comes to sickness in America. From portion sizes to added chemicals, food is designed to be addictive and cause massive cravings. This makes their diet such a struggle for millions of Americans every day.
There is a better way to approach medicine that can revolutionize the healthcare industry. It is reported that 2/3 of Americans are overweight and around 30% are obese. Weight loss is the #1 way to change disease patterns in this country. So many diseases can be attributed to unhealthy diet and poor eating habits. Making drastic changes may be the solution many need to end their fight with countless diseases.
However, millions of people every day struggle to get their weight under control. We are so addicted to the food we eat (which is what the food industry wants) that some find it impossible to stick to any diet that requires a dramatic change to their daily habits. See, weight loss is a mental game. Success is all about mindset. Weight loss requires a whole new approach, a total shift in perspective in how we see ourselves and our diets. Below you will find 8 different mental shifts you need to make to finally be success on your weight loss journey.
8 Mindset shifts you need to make to lose weight
1.You don’t need more medications, you need a new lifestyle.
Let me start off by saying that I am NOT a medical doctor. I acknowledge how important these live saving and life preserving medications can be. However, I think the medical industry is drastically over-prescribing quick fix remedies without addressing the real problem. Medication should not be a long-term solution if it can be cured in other ways.
Let’s use diabetes as an example. Diabetes occurs when your cells stop responding to insulin and you develop insulin resistance. The medical solution is to inject insulin into the body multiple times a day to stimulate a response. This, however, does not address the actual issue: diet. Type 2 diabetes is mainly caused by a poor diet. By changing eating habits and losing weight, you can absolutely reverse this condition. Taking more medication is a band aid for many conditions and a cure is possible with new habits.
2. You have the power to heal yourself by yourself.
The reality is we rely too much on the medical system to solve our problems. Our bodies are miraculous machines. When you cut yourself, you don’t take medication to heal the wound. The body is able to heal completely on its own given the time. What people don’t realize is that this is possible for larger problems too. The body wants to be well and it will do what is necessary to get there if given half a chance.
Conditions like diabetes and heart disease are directly related to poor diet. You don’t need to go to the doctor’s to fix every problem. While consulting your doctor is important, you have the power within yourself to make the right decisions for your body that will affect your health long-term. Work on creating good habits and changing your body. Also, do your research. There are many natural remedies to explore and it is possible to change your life and heal yourself.
3. There is no quick fix.
The medical industry’s solution to almost every ailment is usually pills and surgery. However, the reality is that there are no quick fixes to health. It requires concrete changes to your lifestyle to heal naturally. This is very much true for weight loss. Diet pills and weight loss surgery do not help you succeed long-term. Even with surgery, it requires dramatic changes in your eating habits to be effective. Diet pills are not a good solution to your weight issues either because they have side effects and can stall your progress if you stop taking them.
Making changes to your everyday habits is the only way to be successful. Weight loss will not happen overnight. It takes consistent action and small incremental changes go a long way. Check out my post on 60 Tiny shifts you can make that add up to big results!
4. Diets don’t work.
Anyone who has gone on a diet knows they simply don’t work. Diets imply a temporary solution to a long-term problem. Some diets require dramatic changes and are completely unsustainable. The reality is you have to make a lifestyle change. You need to choose a way of eating that you can stick to. And this new eating plan needs to be something you can commit to long-term. You can’t eat a certain way, lose the weight, and go back to eating the way you used to.
You have to accept that this is what your life and diet will look like indefinitely. Because of that, you need to find a strategy that works best for you. Yes, you will have to give up some of your favorite foods, but try to find a happy medium. Any change too drastic will not last. You need to come up with a plan that is sustainable. Most diets on the market just aren’t easy to stick to, so choose what works best for you and your body. It’s okay to experiment with different styles of eating until you find one you can commit to and it doesn’t have to have a formal name. You know your body best so experiment with different options and see what feels best for you.
5. Food changes everything.
This is a super obvious statement but food is life! People cannot survive for long without it. Our bodies are literally made up of the food we eat. What you eat is broken down and sent all over your body to produce energy, to build muscle, to create hormones, and so much more! That’s why it’s SO important to feed yourself the right way.
Yet, most Americans are not eating in a way that truly nourishes the body. We eat way too many processed foods, which are called “junk” for a reason. Most of what we eat has no nutritional value. Is it any wonder why so many of us are so sick?
Food is the biggest driver of chronic disease and proper nutrition is the best way to reverse the damage done by poor eating habits. Your body will heal itself if given the chance and the best way to do that is to feed it what it really wants. This means natural whole foods, specifically fruits and lots of vegetables. This is what your body truly needs. Once you begin fueling your body the right way, you will see dramatic improvements in your health and vitality.
6. “Work out because you love your body not because you hate it”.
Exercise is such an important part of any weight loss journey. While it is not necessary to see results, the benefits are endless. Working out is a great way to connect to your body. Rather than see it as a punishment for the way you look and how badly you eat, exercise can show you just how powerful you are. You are showing your body love every time you make an effort to be active and give it what it needs. Your body is capable of so much and working out is a great way to show yourself how strong you are.
It is so much more than the physical. Exercise is great for the mind too. Pushing yourself passed your perceived limits can really empower you in all aspects of your life. You will find that you have all the control and you are stronger than you think. Working out is a great way to relieve stress and blow off steam. It is great for your mental health and can revolutionize the way you see yourself. And, if that’s not enough, it’s also a great element for seeing results in your weight loss journey!
7. Weight loss requires a lifelong commitment.
When you start your weight loss journey, it is important to remember that this is a lifelong commitment to yourself. You will never be able to have the same relationship with food that you had before you started. If you go back, you know exactly what your results will be and you will be right back where you started. However, this new lifestyle does not have to be seen as a bad thing. Consider it your way of starting fresh and learning new ways to enjoy life. There are so many benefits to living a healthy lifestyle and it’s important to remember that it only gets better from here!
We already talked about how diets don’t work. This means you need a complete lifestyle change. You may have a lot of bad habits to overcome but this is your opportunity to grow as a human being. It is your chance to start over and make the best decisions for yourself. You are powerful and you can change your life starting TODAY!
That means accepting that some of your old ways must go. They no longer serve you. You are doing right by your body and that will take some discomfort. But soon it will feel natural. The better you feel inside and out, the more you will want to continue down this path. This is only the beginning and you will be so proud of yourself for making the changes necessary to live your best life!
8. It’s okay to ask for help.
One thing to remember is that you should NEVER feel ashamed about asking for help. Losing weight is one of the hardest things anyone can attempt to do for themselves and it’s totally okay to need support. It would be great to find an accountability buddy who can go through this journey with you. Having someone who is experiencing the same struggles can help you get through the tough days, knowing you have each other. The support of your immediate family is also vital because their lives may be impacted by your new lifestyle. Support is such a huge factor in success and it’s important to find that person in your life when you are getting started.
If you are having trouble finding someone to lean on, hiring a coach may be exactly what you need. As your health coach, I will be with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey. I will provide advice and support to help you through your challenges and help lift you up when you are falling. I want to be there for you. I want to help you reach your goals. Click here to learn more about my program and decide if coaching is right for you!
Having the right mindset is the #1 factor in succeeding with weight loss long-term. You have to change your eating habits, as well as your daily routines, and this may cause some distress. It’s important to prepare yourself mentally for the task at hand. Think about all the variables involved. Plan ahead for any possible issues that may come up. Your approach has to be systematic and realistic. Getting your head in the game is the best strategy for succeeding on your weight loss journey. And if you need my support, I can coach you every step of the way!
Always remember, You are capable of amazing things and You are worthy of your wildest dreams!
Until next time friends!
XOXO
~~Valerie~~
