By now, we’re all familiar with the idea that losing weight is a simple matter of eating less and moving more. In fact, we’ve said it here a number of times. But while that’s technically all there is to shedding pounds, we all know there’s really more to it than that. Most people who struggle with weight loss have psychological blocks that get in the way of making the lifestyle changes needed to shed those last 10, 20 or 30 pounds. We may know how to lose weight in 3 months, but mental and emotional blocks can keep us from taking the simple steps required to do so. The good news is that, once acknowledged, psychological blocks can be overcome. Read on for more information about the psychology of weight loss and how the 10x diet can help you overcome three common obstacles that could keep you from shedding weight and feeling healthy and fit.
The psychology of weight loss
Every person is different, and there are numerous potential psychological blocks that can make it difficult for any individual to lose weight. Understanding your own psychological blocks may take time, but once you know what they are, you’re halfway to overcoming them. Here are three common mental obstacles that can get in the way of weight loss.
Vagueness
Even the most knowledgeable, committed, and well-intentioned of us will find it difficult to lose weight and keep it off if we succumb to vagueness around what we eat and what our goals are. Mindless snacking, stress eating, and unplanned grocery shopping often result in the consumption of excess calories that go completely unnoticed. The same is true for having just a vague fantasy about “eating better” and “exercising more,” and then procrastinating when it comes time to take action. When you specify your goals (including daily calorie intake and weekly weight loss), plan your shopping and your meals ahead of time, and record what you eat, you become more conscious about exactly what you’re putting in your body and how it’s helping or hindering your weight loss.
The 10x Diet combats vagueness by providing you with a roadmap for healthy living, including the exact formulas to follow in order to give your body what it needs to build lean muscle and shed excess fat.
Perfectionism
Making lifestyle changes takes time. Chances are you’ll have days when you slip or give in to temptation. You’re human. It’s natural. Perfectionistic thinkers have an all-or-nothing thought process where veering even slightly from their weight loss program signifies failure. This then leads to shame and procrastination with starting over because of fear of failing again. It’s a common cycle that makes weight loss feel like an insurmountable obstacle. When you think in terms of making healthy lifestyle changes instead of passing or failing a weight loss program, you have a better chance of overcoming perfectionistic thinking.
The 10x Diet won’t completely eliminate perfectionism, but it will provide you with the support you need while you make those long-term changes. Additionally, our easy-to-follow program will make it easy to pick up where you left off if you do veer of course.
Stress
One of the main challenges to losing weight is…you guessed it…stress. After a particularly frustrating day at work, momentary stress may lead you to seek comfort in foods that don’t support your weight loss, but long-term stress compounds the issue. When you live with daily stress, not only are you more likely to make compulsive choices, but the high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) tell your body to hold onto fat. For busy professionals, parents of young children, and others whose schedules are full from sun-up to sundown, relaxation and recreation are often the first to go. But these moments of downtime and pleasure are important for shifting our bodies out of stress-mode and into relaxation mode. This will decrease the likelihood of stress eating and tell your body it’s safe to shed fat. Additionally, taking the time to slow down and enjoy your food will help you remain conscious about the connections between your body and the food you eat.
Participating in a safe and effective doctor-supported weight loss program will help keep you conscious about the relationship between food and your body. And when you refrain from stress eating and mindless eating, you’re much more likely to enjoy the food you eat, which will in turn decrease your stress hormones and increase your pleasure hormones. As the weight begins to come off, you’ll be inspired to make other healthy lifestyle choices as well.
Ready for a slimmer, healthier you? Try 10x Diet today!
Eating the right foods and staying active will help you shed excess weight. But most of us have to break through old habits and thinking patterns before we can really be successful at losing weight and keeping it off. 10x Diet provides a roadmap for healthy living as well as the support you need to curb your hunger while you establish new habits that support your weight loss goals. Our doctor-supported, sustainable, and easy program can give you real results and help you maintain your healthy weight for life. Join today!