Dieting: Is fear stopping you from making changes?

For many people, the word diet instills a deep fear – a fear of failure. Around 95 percent of a woman’s self-esteem surrounds her body image, which can greatly affect how they feel about many aspects of their life and their confidence. There are plenty of other aspects which can affect a diet’s success, from hormone imbalances, stress and emotional problems. It is vital before starting something as reliant on dedication as a diet that we change our mindset. Once you tackle the emotional reasons that you overeat and struggle to maintain a healthy eating programme, you’ll find it a lot easier to keep on track. There are six questions you can ask yourself though, before setting off on your weight loss journey.

Question number one

Are you committed to changing your body? Anyone thinking of starting a diet wants to change how they look – but they aren’t always committed to the reality. You need to ensure you’re going to be strong when a sweet treat or a tasty snack tempts you.

Question number two

Does the pain of having more weight feel normal to you? If you’re used to using the extra ten pounds you’d love to lose as a weapon to use against yourself, how will you feel once it’s gone? It can be a tough issue to face but the reality is, there is some part of you that relishes having an excuse to loathe yourself. It’s important that you learn to love and accept the way you are, as it may be a difficult reality to face once you don’t have your weight to hide behind.

Question number three

Are you ready for the changes in your life? Routine is comforting, so how will you feel when the lifestyle you’re used to is upturned. It may seem daunting, but try to focus on the positive elements that will come with weight loss, such as a feeling of vitality and wellbeing, and being able to enjoy other aspects of your life more.

Question number 4

Are you allowing yourself to be distracted? Everything takes priority over your diet…sound familiar? There will always be things which can serve as an excuse for giving up, but in order to lose the weight, you need to be strong and put your efforts first.

Question number 5

Who are you losing weight for? Is it for you or someone else – a partner or to impress friends, perhaps? You won’t get far trying to please others. If you’re going to lose weight successfully, you’ll need to do it for yourself.

Question number 6

Are you realistic about your goals? Losing weight is a slow and steady process, which shouldn’t be rushed. Aim to lose about one to three pounds per week, and focus on being healthy rather than the amount of weight you’re losing – this will come with time. Most importantly, don’t quit at the last hurdle. Make sure that you stay on track and achieve the goal in question.