Why is it that some women can lose weight and keep it off and others can’t? It’s because the successful ones gained clarity on what it would be like when they lost weight, and they developed and used the power within them to take charge of their lives, body, and mind to create the lifestyle they want to live.
So, how can you get on the road to permanent weight loss, and change your lifestyle for weight loss? It may not be what you think…
The Backbone of Lifestyle Behavior Change
I’ve learned over the years that weight loss management is a life change, not just a body change. This means that weight loss is best approached when you work with the whole person, not just parts of the person.
I’ve also learned that the same challenges that are keeping most women overweight and unhappy are the same ones that are keeping them unhappy and unfulfilled.
There are 10 essential weight loss strategies that I am going to share with you over the next few days; but I must warn you, these weight loss strategies are not sexy. No calorie counting, exercise, or nutrition here.
But what you will learn to do is build the foundation for lifelong change. So, here’s step #1.
Step #1: Know Who You Are
Why is this so important?
If you don’t know who you are, then you don’t know what you need to become and stay happy, healthy, and whole.
As a result, you won’t be able to set meaningful goals, which lowers motivation for lifestyle behavior change, and no fitness success.
Motivation is a result of self-understanding, so what do you need to learn about yourself?
A. Values: The belief system you live by; the important things in life.
Values are what you consider important in life. The typical “lose weight and tone up” motivator to exercise don’t work in the long-term, but it’s not in-line with what you feel is worth it.
Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to get your life back? Have children? Fulfill your life purpose? Those motivators, which are centered around values, are what work in the long-term.
Values are those things you are willing to spend time, energy, and commitment on in life.
When you align fitness goals with your values, you tend to become more successful in reading your goals and creating the life you desire.
B. Strengths: What are you good at doing? How can you use those strengths to make lifestyle behavior changes?
Think about your successes in the past. Why were you successful? What tools did you use to become successful?
If you don’t know, what do you close family and friends think you’re good at? Ask them; you may be surprised at the answers you get. I was totally surprised when I asked my friends, and I learned a lot about myself.
C. Personal needs: What are your most pressing social, spiritual, emotional, and mental needs right now? What 
Do you need peace of mind? Confidence in yourself and your body? Strength to take care of your children? Sanity? Assertiveness-building? Better sleep? Learning, accomplishment, or stimulation needs? Energy and vitality to meet life and career demands? Friendship and belonging?
The list can go on. When you discover your needs, ask yourself ‘what energy meeting this need will bring to your life’.
Then, ask yourself ‘how your life will be different when this need is met‘.
Connect your exercise with fulfillment of your personal needs, and motivation will become stronger and more meaningful than ever.
We are always moving toward fulfilling our needs, whether we realize it or not.
When our needs aren’t being met, we look for ways to fulfill them, and health and safety is usually not a factor. For example, overeating candy to feel better about the loss of love or career increases your risk for diabetes.
When you learn to use exercise to fulfill needs, feelings of accomplishment, fulfillment, competence, well-being, and sanity increases.
D. Fears: Understanding your fears gives you the power to face them, and conquer them. Fears are invisible roadblocks to success, so your success is dependent on overcoming your fears of weight loss.
What do you fear when it comes to fitness and weight loss?
Success? Afraid that once you reach your goals, you can’t maintain them
Failure? You don’t have what it takes to change, or you don’t have enough control in your life to make changes.
“I need to lose weight before I join the gym”. ”I have to quit smoking first, and then I’ll exercise”. ”I need money to hire a trainer first”. ”I ate two pieces of cake, so I might as well stop exercising because I’m not doing any good”.
Perfectionism, in my opinion, is a type of fear of failure because it serves to protect your ego in case you “don’t do everything right”. Thank goodness, there’s no such thing as perfectionism.
It will never be the right time to begin exercise, but what’s important is that you start, even if you’re only moving more during the day.
Rejection?: Who will not be supportive of your fitness or weight loss goals?
Who or what are you afraid of losing?
Are there toxic relationships that you should get rid of?
Your health, happiness, and well-being is more important than being around people that are not supportive of your goals?
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Now, put it all together!
Use these questions to create a powerful, crystal clear vision of your life.
Use this statement to motivate you, especially when your motivation is low.
How will your future self feel and look after you reach goals?
What will you be able to do?
How does your future self align with your strengths and values?
What would it feel like to conquer your fears and reach your goals?
Consider the bigger picture when it comes to your fitness and weight loss goals, such as your life’s purpose or mission.
Now create a statement that describes what your future self and life looks like after you accomplish all that you set out to do.
This is your vision statement. Hang it up so that you see it many times throughout the day, and READ it!!!
If you need guidance in doing everything you just read, then apply for a Complimentary Fitness Breakthrough Coaching Session!
Weight Loss is a Life Change
Weight loss training is more than calories in and calories out. To make permanent lifestyle behavior changes, you not only change your weight, but also:
- develop a different self-identity
- develop a new way of relating to food
- develop a different mindset towards exercise
- re-learning how to eat
- stronger mind-body connection that creates lifestyle change
- deep understanding of motives in relation to exercise and body image
If weight loss is your goal, look at is as a permanent life change.
Summary
Before you begin to make lifestyle behavior changes, build your foundation first. Building your personal foundation gives you strength for change.
You learn what you need and why you need it.
You learn what matters to you, and how to tie your fitness goals into those things.
You learn how to set meaningful fitness goals that get accomplished.
You set yourself up for success throughout your life.
If I can help you in any way, either professionally or personally, please feel free to contact me!
And, if you would like to stay up-to-date and receive more life-changing blog posts, please join my mailing list!
Pamela Brown
Personal Fitness and Wellness Coach
