If you want to achieve better wellness through weight loss, sometimes you can fail before you even get started. There are 5 certain pitfalls you face when trying to lose weight that threaten to throw your efforts, as well as your wellbeing, off-track.
Firstly, is your diet designed for a day-in-the-life of being you? The best diet in the world won’t help you to succeed if it doesn’t account for rushed mornings trying to get out of the house, restaurant or airplane foods, finding the time to shop and cook in a completely new way, or replacing your in-car or in-armchair snacking needs. How does your plan fit your lifestyle?
The second pitfall is giving up after one setback. If your car breaks down on the road, you don’t give up and resign yourself to walking forever – you fix your car and carry on driving. Accidentally reaching for an extra slice of cake does not mean that the diet is ‘over’ and you’re doomed. There needs to be a guidance system in place to get you back on track without despairing over your shortcomings – you’re only human!
Having a wobbly foundation can be another reason a diet is doomed to fail. Do you know why you’re trying to lose weight? Ask yourself what you can gain when you lose, as when you capture the long term, deep spirit of wellness goals you’re more likely to succeed. A life well spent, a legacy left behind, a chance to play with grandchildren and participate fully in life at any age could be a few of many real reasons to go on a diet.
Fourthly, and perhaps in conjunction with pitfall number 3, negative motivators will not benefit your physical or mental wellbeing in the long-run. Starting a diet because of a feeling of lack, fear, self-hate, overwhelm, victim feeling, jealousy, or hopelessness will get you nowhere, as the negative inner voices criticise you all day, yet are responsible for you diving into the box of chocolates at night! Make self-loving, empowering decisions in the here and now.
Finally, going-it-alone means you are sure to fail at weight loss. Your diet will be draining if it’s based on your solo determination and will power. You can feel like the odd one out if you’re called upon to defend your choices at parties, the office, with friends, or at the family dinner table, as everyone has questions and opinions that can undermine your choices. Support boosts your chances of success by over 60% and comes in many shapes and sizes such as individuals, groups, apps, organizers and lists. Get yourself someone to cheer you on and hold you accountable to rewrite failure as a success story.
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