You’ve decided you really want to lose the weight. The scale has been dusted off, the stuff piled on the treadmill has been put away and the fridge and pantry have been cleaned out and restocked with healthy food. You’re ready to rock and roll, right?
Not exactly.
There’s one more choice to make – and it’s a biggie.
There are two types of wanting when it comes to losing weight – feel bad wanting and feel good wanting.
Huh?
Let me explain.
Let’s start with feel bad wanting – the approach most of us take. When the feel bad dieter thinks about the journey ahead it feels like – dread, overwhelm, desperation, sadness, frustration and deprivation – to name a few. Most feel bad dieters choose suffering – extreme diets, no pleasure and forced exercise.
Here’s a look inside the head of a feel bad wanter…
- I hate my body.
- I’m disgusting.
- I’m miserable.
- Once I lose the weight, then I can (feel good about myself, be lovable, go dancing, etc)
- Here we go again.
- Healthy food is gross.
- It’s not fair.
- This is overwhelming.
- It’s too hard.
- I’m stuck.
- This isn’t working.
- I don’t have time.
- I’ll always be fat.
- I’m doomed.
- I can’t.
- I won’t.
And then there’s what I call good wanting. How do you know? You’ll feel excited, hopeful, curious, positive, determined and in-control when you think about the road in front of you. You’ll watch your food intake, but won’t rule out the occasion treat. You’ll exercise in a way that feels good – not punishing. Your brain will be buzzing with thoughts like…
- I’ve got this.
- I’m worth it.
- I want it.
- I’m a work in progress.
- One step at a time.
- It’ll take as long as it takes.
- Be patient.
- Fall down, get back up.
- I’ll learn from this.
- I’ll find a way.
- I’ll give it a try.
- I can.
- I will.
The only difference between bad wanting and good wanting is a choice we make. We’ve been conditioned to believe that losing weight is a process to be endured rather than embraced. Not true.
Our results are always tied to our thinking. In other words – what we think, we become.
- It’s too hard = Losing weight will be a monumental struggle
- I’ll always be fat = You’ll always be fat
- I’ve got this = You bet you do!
If you’re on a weight loss journey or considering it, I challenge you choose your attitude wisely. I’ve been down this road myself and in the training and coaching arena long enough to know that it makes all the difference. Sometimes we need a little help – and that’s okay. If you’re trapped in the land of bad wanting – give me a call Chickadee.
Robyn Spurr is a Certified Health Coach, Weight Loss Coach, Personal Trainer and founder of Chickadee Weight Loss. She helps women reach their healthy, natural weight and stay there without all the diet craziness.
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