Are you afraid of starting something new in case you fail?
Have you trying to lose weight or get into shape so many times only to fall at the first hurdle?
Do you really want to make changes in your life but don’t know where to start?
Do you feel overwhelmed with all the advice out there and just need to simplify things?
Believe you aren’t alone.
When I’ve had conversations with people about weight loss/ fitness there are so many mental barriers that need to be tackled before they can even think about actually taking action.
Change is scary.
And if you’re someone who’s tried many times in the past to get into shape but not managed it then there will be a whole host of negative thoughts and emotions that’ll make you scared to try again.
This post is all about how to put those demons to bed. Finally lose weight and get into shape…for good.
STEP 1: Look back to move forwards
This is the only time I’ll get you to look back. After step 1, it’s all about being positive and looking forwards. This is a painful step but one that is necessary to move on.
What have you tried before and why didn’t it work? (Or if it did, why didn’t you stick to it?) Be completely honest.
Did you fall foul of the ‘all or nothing’ trap? When you were good, you were really good and when you were bad…you felt like you had failed and gave up?
Did you start well only to get bored and lose motivation after a few weeks?
Did you get frustrated at lack of progress and decide it wasn’t working?
Was it too restrictive/ time consuming/ complicated?
Was it just the ‘wrong time’ and you decided you’d try again in a few weeks/ months when you had the time and energy to do it properly?
There are sooooo many reasons why things don’t work and it will be very personal to you. Don’t waste time judging yourself, just think about what has been the biggest barrier in the past.
STEP 2: Make changes
What do you need to do moving forwards to help stop it happening again? I have some general suggestions that help most people:
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Get help
This is 100% a game changer. Everything in life is easier when you have a support network around you. My 2 week Back to Basics bootcamp is the perfect introduction to this. 2 weeks of daily support from me with tips, advice and small steps to take. It takes all the guesswork out of how to lose weight and get into shape. I also make sure you don’t get overwhelmed. Nothing scary, nothing overwhelming. It’s a nudge in the right direction and by the end of the 2 weeks you’ll be on track and ready to keep going.
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Make small changes
Try to change everything at once and you’ll feel overwhelmed. Plus, as soon as you slip up (and you will at some point…we all do), you’ll feel like you’ve failed and give up. During the 2 weeks of Back to Basics, I set daily mini challenges. None are compulsory but they’re all super quick and easy and designed to give you a ‘quick win’. They’ll make you feel good and want to do more. Positive action designed to motivate and encourage.
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Be realistic with expectations
Dropping weight fast through some kind of starvation diet is NOT want we’re aiming for here. It may work in the short term but I guarantee you won’t be able to keep it up and as soon as you go back to normal, the weight will go back on and you’ll feel worse than when you started. Change takes time. It takes effort and you’ve got to keep working at it. No one is ever perfect and that’s fine. Perfection is overrated. What we’re working towards is a way of slowly improving your health and fitness whilst continuing to live your life. And this leads us onto change 4…
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Alter your outlook and mindset
Take the focus OFF weight loss and focus on your health. So many of us are obsessed with the scales. What those little number say can make or break our day. Yet they really mean nothing. They are NOT an indicator of your success in life. Being below a certain number doesn’t lead to happiness. It isn’t even the most accurate indicator of weight loss anyway.
When weight loss is all you think about, it can become a negative spiral very quickly. We want to step away from that negativity. No more hating your body or yourself. We want to work on all aspects of your health and fitness…including your mental well being and happiness. It goes hand in hand. Take yourself off the merry go round of constant diets and deprivation and make the decision to treat yourself and body with love.
2 weeks of back to basics will help you see that it is possible. Weight loss may be a happy side effect but when you start to feel full of energy and confidence, you really will see there is a better way. One that you can stick with for the rest of your life.
STEP 3: Take action NOW
Hopefully, you’re beginning to see that there is a way to break the cycle of negativity. It only takes one step in the right direction. And the time for that step is right now.
Don’t wait for the perfect time. Believe me, there is NO perfect time. Life will always be too busy, the kids will always need your attention, work will always be manic, there will always be 101 different pressures on your time. The only way to deal with this? Work around it. Don’t put your life on hold whilst you’re always waiting, waiting, waiting.
This step doesn’t need to be a massive, scary one. You just need to do ONE thing today to move in the right direction. And one tomorrow and the day after, etc.
AND if you feel like you’d benefit from my constant support and guidance, then make signing up for my 2 week Back to Basics Bootcamp the one bit of action you take today. The 2 weeks starts on the 21st September (so next Monday) and if you sign up TODAY you’ll get the early bird price of just £20. Bargain!
Together we’ll work on helping you lose weight and get into shape…for good. For more info and to get signed up pop over to my shop page by clicking here. And get excited. This is the start 🙂
If you’re feeling inspired and want to take more action, make sure you have a look at my Facebook page. Every day, I’ll be posting a quick exercise challenge. This week we’re focusing on squats. Get those bum muscles working and see how one tiny (less than a minute most days) bit of effort can motivate you to do more. Remember one baby step at a time. You’ve got this.