Is your mind sabotaging your will to lose weight?

28 February-6 March 2010

Dave and Kristy

If you’ve tried to lose weight but have fallen off the wagon over and over again, it may be time to take a long, honest look at yourself. You may be full of good intentions, but if you’re not ready to make the changes necessary to reach your weight-loss goals, they’ll always remain elusive, say Kristy Curtis and Dave Nuku, the trainers on The Biggest Loser Asia.

Here, in part two of an article from Shape Malaysia, the trainers show you how to prep your mind for cutting the fat…this time for good!

Are you your own worst enemy?

This may come as a surprise, but the reasons your weight-loss efforts are not bearing fruit could be that deep down, you’re not hungry for change, and until you are, success will always be out of reach. Here are some steps you can take to stop sabotaging yourself:

Get over your fears

Change, be it good or bad, can be scary. If fear is holding you back, take baby steps instead of jumping headfirst into the unfamiliar. “Start by preparing yourself mentally for the task at hand, then take the steps necessary to change your lifestyle,” says Curtis.

Stop making excuses

“I’d be exercising if I didn’t work such long hours.” If this sounds familiar, it’s time to address that victim mentality, says Nuku. “I’ve heard all kinds of ingenious excuses such as ‘the gym’s too far away’ and ‘I can’t get to the gym because I have to share the car with my wife’. These are just ways for people to justify why they are the way they are.” If you really want something, says Nuku, you’ll find a way to get it. “Start with small things, and start now. For example, try cooking your own food instead of eating out,” adds Nuku. “Small steps will give you momentum for bigger changes.”

Quit the self-sabotaging

Self-sabotage can take many forms, be it the secret late night bingeing or the numerous excuses you come up with to avoid making the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve lasting results. “You must take the initiative to change, and it’s never a good idea to rely on others. Make small, gradual and sustainable changes so you don’t set yourself up for more failure.”

Stay motivated!

When the going gets tough and you’re feeling discouraged, follow these tips from The Biggest Loser Asia trainers.

1. Eat right
   Whenever possible, go organic and avoid processed foods. Certain compounds, such as preservatives and pesticides, can change your body’s chemistry and disrupt its hormone balance, causing mood swings, and even encourage the development of illnesses such as cancer.
2. Journal it
   Write down your goals. Break down your long-term goal into smaller, short-term ones so you can measure your progress.
3. Live a balanced life
   Make health your priority. If you find yourself working all the time, take a step back to fulfill your needs first. After all, you need to be healthy and happy to be able to take care of others.

Story courtesy of Shape Malaysia.