Losing weight is hard, whether you have an extra 10lbs, or 100+lbs that you’d like to lose. With all the delicious food options constantly surrounding us, it’s difficult to navigate your way around the plethora of options to burn fat and live leaner.

Like the majority of decisions to be made, trying to lose weight is a question of mind over matter. Far from the ‘JUST DO IT!’ mentality, it actually takes a lot more to be successful in losing weight- and keeping it off!

Why?

Realizing the ‘why’ behind a decision helps to keep track when it comes to losing weight. It could be wanting to be able to tie up your shoes without getting winded, or, wanting to look good for a specific event or vacation.

Whatever the motivation, realizing ‘why’ is an important motivator when it comes to starting a weight loss journey.

We make thousands of decisions a day, from getting up and using the bathroom in the mornings, to the clothes we’re going to wear that day, and whether to take a vacation, some of these are conscious decisions, and others are unconscious, like blinking to prevent dust from entering our eyes.

This is no different when it comes to choosing the foods we eat on a daily basis- cupcake, or carrot? Salad, or fries?

Being conscious about the reasons why we are choosing carrots and kale over fries and ice cream will help to keep you motivated throughout your journey.

HOW!?

There are millions of pictures posted on Instagram, hashtagged #weightlossjourney and there are some pretty impressive accounts documenting their successes. One of the most common comments left on these comparative transformation pictures is ‘How did you do it!?’

Some swear by the keto diet, where carbohydrates are limited in favor of fats and protein, meaning that the body burns fat quicker.

Others may take to learning hypnotherapy facts and delving into the world of hypnotic gastric bands–where the participant is placed in a hypnotic state and given instructions to make them believe their stomachs can handle much less food than they have done previously.

This has varying levels of success, but since one of the biggest proven ways to lose weight is calories out over calories in, why wouldn’t this be a good shout to get you into the correct mindset?

Shift Your Mindset

Mindset is the most powerful tool when it comes to weight loss. Many people embark on the journey to try and ‘fix what is wrong’.

Imagine speaking to a small child, scolding them because they cannot yet walk. It is cruel and damaging– teaching a child, at too young an age to give up before they’ve even started.

A child with the capacity of learning to walk will do so, with help from loved ones, gentle praise, and encouragement.

This is no different to when you want to transform your life by taking control of your weight. Be kind to yourself, and let others encourage you, too.