Weight Loss-It's All How You Look At It

Usually when we talk about dieting, we talk about deprivation. We think of all the foods, treats, desserts and snacks that we can’t have. We feel that the only way we can get the weight off is by depriving ourselves of these “forbidden” foods and wait for the day we can indulge in them once again. We place these foods on a pedestal because somehow they have a magical, mystical power over us. We feel powerless when these foods are around us as if somehow they are forcing us to eat them.

We may do this for a while until we eventually lose this mental “tug of war” but consider this. What would happen if you looked at the whole weight loss approach much differently?

If you want to lose weight your eating has to change, that’s a given. But while you’re making alterations to your diet, making healthier choices and changing your eating behaviors, instead of looking at what you can’t have, what if you looked at the confidence, pride and improved self esteem you’ll feel when new habits are formed? Instead of feeling angry that you can’t eat something, how about feeling proud that you’re choosing to work towards the body you want? Instead of struggling with the same few foods that caused your weight issues for years, maybe even decades, how about realizing that these particular foods simply don’t work for you and it’s your choice to exclude them from your healthy eating plan? No food can or will ever taste as good as the feeling of being in control over our choices, our lives and ourselves.

The only real deprivation is not being able to live the life we want due to the pain our relationship with certain foods have caused. Think about how your weight has held you back. With the excess weight maybe you don’t feel sexy, confident or spontaneous and this affects your relationships. Without feeling sleek and fit, maybe you’re self conscious and not as likely to be as outgoing as you’d like to be. Without healthy eating and exercise, you’re also more likely to be sluggish and fatigued; leaving you less willing to be active with your friends and family. Finally, unsuccessful dieting over time often leaves us feeling frustrated, discouraged and unhappy.

Instead of choosing to feel deprived by what you can’t have, how about choosing to embrace the feeling of freedom to live the life you want by ending the tug of war you feel with certain foods. It’s empowering and proactive to make decisions which support a healthy lifestyle. It’s also the first step in making lifestyle changes that suit your needs and encourage lasting results. Finally, changing the way you look at weight loss will not only free up some mental space, but it will make you feel like you’re the boss; not the chips, cookies, wine or Saturday night breadbasket.

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