How to overcome negative thoughts about your weight loss

You’ve been on the roller coaster of weight loss for so long now. Time and time again, you set out to lose the extra kilograms but seem to stumble into challenges like self-sabotage, excessive dieting demands or even the program that declares it’s there for you (even though the facilitators don’t know who you are by name but do know your credit card number). Each time you go another round in the weight loss ring, you feel less positive about the outcome. Maybe you ask yourself if this is the last time to put yourself through this torment, maybe you just sign up for the next ‘big thing’ with a faint glimmer of hope. No matter what spurs you to try again, the underlying fear that this is another vain attempt plagues you.

So how do you stop the cycle? Well, the key to your success is to understand and overcome your negative thoughts about your weight loss. These thoughts will also pop up during each attempt and for that, you need to be prepared. The clearer you are on the result you want, the less chance there is that negative thought swill derail you.

The most affective methods to overcome negative thoughts about your weight loss can be represented in the acronym: MAGIC.

Motivation: What is your motivation behind your weight loss? Many coaches (be they life, business, health, etc.) will ask you what is your why? Is the driving motivation behind your weigh loss that you want to feel better? Perhaps you want to wear something special? Maybe you want to have a baby or be present at an event for your kids without the kilograms? Whatever your motivation (your why), you need to develop a clarity about the situation. Being unprepared and without clear direction will only lead to tenuous decisions and actions. A lack of direction is the quickest path to self-doubt and self-judgement. Decide what your main motivation or ‘why’ is. Map out exactly what you are and are not prepared to do while you lose weight.

Adjustment: Once you have your motivation, what adjustments do you need to make to ensure success? This is not the time to make a complete overhaul of your life. Take small steps that are implementable and achievable. There is no point in trying to be perfect. There is no such thing as perfect. Acknowledge that and understand it. This will help you make the necessary adjustments you need to succeed in weight loss and keep negative thoughts at bay.

Goals: Having negative thoughts can directly correlate with setting goals that are not suitable. You have probably heard about SMART goals, these are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based. For example, You want to lose 4 kilograms, you will measure your success by the waistband on your jeans, you will do this by the end of the two months. Is this achievable and realistic? Yes! Losing half a kilogram a week is within most people’s reach.

Intrinsic inspiration: The most effective method to keep negative thoughts in check is to use intrinsic inspiration. Your weight loss needs to be about you, for you and by you. Relying on others to prepare your food for example, teaches you nothing about nutrition for weight loss. Basing your goals on someone else’s happiness leads to your unhappiness because you will easily lose your focus in harder times.

Confidence: Confidence breeds success. There is no greater truth. This sums up where your negative thoughts fit into the weight loss equation- nowhere. Know what you want, why you want it and how you’re going to get it. Hold your head high, believe in yourself and remain focussed.

Follow the MAGIC steps to success and banish all fears of failure. Success is your only option. Weight loss is within your reach, all you have to do is extend your grasp.

Have you struggled with negative thoughts during weight loss? How have you overcome them?