A Positive Mindset for Weight Loss is Key to Your Success!
Today I want to talk to you about something that sometimes gets lost in discussions about losing weight — cultivating a positive mindset for weight loss.
It’s pretty crazy that this isn’t the center of every discussion about losing weight, because your attitude and ideas about yourself and food are key to a successful weight loss journey.
1. Choosing the Right Weight Loss Plan
To foster a positive mindset, you first step is to choose the right weight loss plan. What’s the right plan? Easy — it’s the one that works best for YOU!
Let’s face it, if you hate the food on an eating plan, you won’t stick to the plan. So, the most important thing is choosing a plan that works for you so you’ll stick to it!
Beachbody clued into this right away and offers options for eating plans. They primarily focus on two — Portion Fix (AKA the 21 Day Fix) and 2B Mindset.
Neither are “diets” — they are solid nutrition programs that foster a lifestyle change to healthy eating.
I need structure to sustain my focus, but I want flexibility in types of foods I can eat and I want to keep it simple. This is why I love the 21 Day Fix with its color coded food containers and simple container allotment plan that allows me to eat the foods I’m used to eating using my Buffet Style Meal Prep system. (If I really want to ramp it up, there’s also the option of the Ultimate Portion Fix!)
Dave, however, felt too constrained by the food containers and wanted more flexibility, so the 2B Mindset was a better fit for him.
If you don’t want to think much about your healthy meals, just prepare them, you’ll love the Morning Meltdown 100 nutrition plan!
2. Food Isn’t “Good” or “Bad”
Another way to work toward a more positive mindset for weight loss is to stop labeling foods “good” and “bad.”
Food isn’t good or bad. Some foods are nutritious and better for you than others, no doubt. But, when you judge your foods as “good” or “bad” there’s a tendency to judge yourself as well.
You’re not a failure because you ate a slice of cake!
Eating cake all the time isn’t healthy and could derail your diet. But, eating it occasionally is okay!
Try thinking about all foods as…well, food! Then, think about making your body strong and healthy through eating nutritious foods.
3. Use Positive Self Talk for a Positive Mindset for Weight Loss
We all talk negative to ourselves sometimes…some do it in excess. Sometimes we talk to ourselves in ways we’d never speak to our friends.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and said something like, “Oh my gosh, YOU are fat!”
It’s time to get away from this. A positive mindset for weight loss is a MUST, because the journey toward living a healthy lifestyle is fueled by self love.
Here’s what I want you to do…
The next time you catch yourself being negative with yourself, say the word “STOP!” out loud. It may seem a little crazy, but it works!
It stops the chain of negative thoughts. And, if you’re a regular trash talker, it derails your routine of having negative thoughts.
Stopping the negative self talk will help you in ALL parts of your life as well, so start treating yourself with as much compassion as you treat others. (If you’re not treating others with compassion, get to work on that!)
4. Set Actionable Goals
To stay in a positive mindset for weight loss, you need small, actionable goals.
A small actionable goal is something like nailing the recommended number of servings of fruits and veggies per day. While you’re busy eating those fruits and veggies, you’re not eating processed foods and THAT is a win.
The goal is small, but it translates into better health and weight loss.
This is one of the ways Portion Fix/21 Day Fix is PERFECT. You start each day with the Fix app letting you know the day’s container allotment. Each meal or snack is a small actionable goal that you get to log in the app. Seeing your success at the end of the day feels SO good!
Another great goal is getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night. You’ll feel better and less anxious. When you’ve had a good night’s sleep, it’s easier to stay positive AND helps reduce carb cravings.
5. To Weigh or Not to Weigh?
This little topic could be debated all day! There are pros and cons for weighing yourself on a regular basis.
The bottom line is that you need to do what keeps you in a positive mindset for weight loss.
Some people don’t like the scale. It’s nothing but a source of anxiety. These people are more comfortable going by the fit of their clothes.
Others are motivated by their morning weigh in. Seeing progress, even if it’s only in ounces, serves to motivate them to nail the day ahead.
If you’re a regular weigher, make sure you do it at the same time every day — the best time is first thing in the morning before you’ve eaten anything (and after you’ve gone to the bathroom!).
Also, just use the scale as inspiration and don’t beat yourself up if you’ve gained a little. This is when the positive mindset for weight loss comes in — if you did gain a pound or two, just review the previous day and make adjustments for the day ahead.
Remember, it’s okay to splurge now and then. In fact, these little treats are part of having a positive mindset for weight loss. See it for what it is — a normal part of life.
6. Hang with Positive People
If you know me at all, you know I love this one! Your tribe impacts your vibe, so hanging around positive people, especially those working toward a goal, WILL rub off on you.
Cultivating a positive mindset for weight loss is SO much easier when you’re surrounded by positive people who encourage and help each other. We need people who celebrate our victories and empathize with our setbacks.
We all have diet saboteurs in our lives. They’re the people who offer you cake and cookies when they know you’re watching your weight. Often, they’re your loved ones and you can’t eliminate them from your life!
But, don’t let them stop you from keeping a positive mindset for weight loss! Be clear with your boundaries and ask for their help — repeatedly, if necessary. And, the rest of the time, hang with the positive ones!
I created my private Fix Family group on Facebook so that everyone who works with me can check this off their positive list!
Keeping a Positive Mindset
Working on being the best version of you is a positive journey! Keeping a positive mindset will help you reach your weight loss goals quicker AND achieve things in all areas of your life.
The steps I mention above — choose an eating plan that works for you, stop labeling foods “good” or “bad,” start talking to yourself like you talk to your best friend, set small actionable goals, choose your own relationship with your bathroom scale, and surround yourself with positive people — reinforce positivity!
Need help with your weight loss goals? Want to join my Fix Family group? Have questions? Let’s talk!
