Why weight Loss Psychology – Tips For Easier Dieting

Losing weight is 100 times easier if you are mentally prepared. This may sound basic, but in my experience most dieters quit their weight loss program not because they feel hungry or have problems with menus, but for psychological reasons. Either they get bored, or they are dissatisfied with their level of decline, or they suffer for a while and are overwhelmed with guilt, or they feel too “reduced” to continue. And then, in an effort to explain their failure, many of them blamed their diet, their home environment, or their inability to lose weight through birth defects. This process is often repetitive, and as a result, some dieters may spend years unsuccessfully trying to lose weight, without realizing the real cause of their weight loss. Here are three common psychological problems we face when trying to lose weight, as well as tips on how to overcome them. Problem 1. Not Knowing How to Lose Weight Whether we want to lose 50 pounds [20 or 220 kg], we need to change our diet and perhaps a few other lifestyle choices. Making these changes may not be difficult on Day 1 or Week 1 of our weight loss diet, because our initial enthusiasm often gives us enough motivation. But, usually within 2-3 weeks, our “new” diet begins to interfere with our normal routine and, unless we are prepared for this, our appetite for continuing to starve will begin to fade. Instead of looking at our food as a passport for better weight and posture, we see it as a barrier and a burden. It is something we do because “we should” rather than because we “want”. This is the first major emotional problem we experience when we diet. To overcome this, we need to understand why we are trying to lose weight. We need a clear vision of how it will benefit us. Because only if we have a clear view of what we can look forward to, we will be able to resist the temptation to return to our former bad habits. The general advantages of having a soft, lightweight are not strong enough. We need a selfish, specific advantage - something we can imagine - that draws our attention. Maybe a beach holiday, or a dream dress to wear to a special event, or a new look you can show off on Thanksgiving. Whatever we choose, it must make a noise inside our head! Remember, when we first hear that we "must" do something, it becomes an enemy - like paying taxes, or cleaning the basement - and our inspiration flies out the window. In order to achieve lasting weight loss, we need to “want it”. Problem 2. Trying to Be Perfect During my 24 years or so as a weight loss consultant and dietitian, I have met perhaps 10,000 dieters in person, and I have personally contacted 100,000 others online. But so far I have never encountered a single successful dieter that was perfect. Instead, most of my successful clients make tons of mistakes. They had bad days, bad weeks - even full months - when they came out completely. But none of this prevented them from succeeding in the end. Why not? Because they learned from their mistakes. And let's not forget: most of our self-esteem comes from the mistakes we make, not our successes. Unfortunately, many dieters insist on perfectionism. As a result, when they fall off a cart (as they often do), they find it impossible to tolerate their “failure”, and they become frustrated with guilt. So while their escape may be too small (a weekend getaway), they are fragmented. Because, as always, it is a crime that does real damage, not indulgence. The lesson is this. When preparing food, do not waste time trying to be perfect. It only leads to increased guilt and failure. Instead, accept that you will make mistakes, and do not let them distract you when they do. View yourself as a learning experience. For example, if you drink a lot of alcohol while eating, and you overeat as a result, do not wake up the next morning feeling stressed. Instead, enjoy your experience, and rejoice that you have found the most important find: that too much alcohol makes weight loss more difficult. By responding in this way, you will avoid the guilt and find it much easier to get back to your diet. Problem 3. Managing Your Diet As A Race Another common problem involves weight loss. Many dieters expect to lose weight very quickly, and are mentally unfit when their body refuses to behave in this way. When a week passes without weight loss, they lose their breath and begin to lose interest. Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, the human body is designed to survive and not "appear". It is therefore not interested in wasting body fat, which it sees as an important source of energy in times of famine. As a result, the maximum amount of fat that we can lose per week is about 15 pounds [3 kg], while a person who weighs less than 100 pounds [30 kg] may lose about a pound. Anything more could be a combination of water and body weight. To overcome your impatience and keep your weight down, stop thinking about your diet as a race. Instead, view it as a journey. This reduces anxiety and gives you extra “breathing space” to settle into your new eating habits. I explain this in detail in my amazing weight loss forum, and many people find it a very beneficial approach. At the same time, avoid jumping into your daily routine - limit yourself once a week. Checking your weight often encourages you to look for temporary, non-essential items. I realize that “constant” weight loss may not seem so appealing, but in my experience weight loss is slow, lasting. In addition, as mentioned above, if you lose more than 3 pounds a week there will be no fat - it will be muscle or water. And although dehydration is only temporary - and thus irrational - muscle loss will reduce your body weight and increase your risk of future weight gain. So