Weight loss is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned. But often, that learning process comes through trial in error. Often, the ability to stay positive or not through the trial in error period separates the people who are successful with weight loss from those who are not.
How To Cultivate Positive Thinking for Weight Loss
1. Realize That with Every Mistake There is a Lesson to be Learned
Every time you make a mistake, such as eating something you weren’t supposed to, there is a lesson to be learned. Realize that every lesson learned puts you one step closer to reaching your weight loss dreams, and if you stick with weight loss long enough, those lessons are going to mean something.
Now sometimes, it can take some digging to find the lesson learned.
See the good even in the bad when you have a bad experience. For example, let’s say you cheated on your diet. Try to figure out why you cheated on your diet and what you will do in the future to prevent that from happening.
Then instead of focusing on the fact that you cheated on your diet and gained a couple of pounds, focus on what lessons you learned. Doing this puts a positive spin on a negative situation, as weight gain is temporary but learning a new lesson.
2. Set Bench March Goals
Set smaller shorter-term goals that highlight your weight loss success. That is why it’s good to set short-term, more immediate goals. So, for example, instead of losing 40 pounds over the next couple of months, you can change your goal to losing 1 or 2 pounds every two weeks.
3. Avoid Negativity
Try to avoid, mitigate, or better manage any source of negative emotions. You want to prevent yourself from being in a negative headspace because when a person is in a negative headspace, they’re more emotional and impulsive and less objective & disciplined, which can cause them to cheat on their diet.
Another reason why being in a negative headspace can cause someone to cheat on their diet is that they may eat foods outside their diet for comfort when they are in a negative headspace.
4. Visualize The Benefits of Achieving Your Goals
Remind yourself why and the benefits of your why in a positive way. For example, let’s say you want to lose weight to have more energy when you spend time with your children. Maybe whenever you play games or sports with your kids, you always find yourself getting tired, and you want to have more energy.
Visualize yourself more in shape and playing tag, basketball, or soccer, and being full of energy. Visualizing the rewards and benefits of achieving your weight loss goals can keep you in a positive mind frame and keep you eager to achieve your weight loss goals.
5. Learn To Become More Centered
Learn to become more present. When you’re present, you’re more engaged in what you’re doing, and you have a more positive take on what you’re doing as well, which can be very beneficial if you’re trying to lose weight.
6. Fill Your Day With Things That You Love & Are Passionate About
Fill your day with activities you are passionate about and love doing. Doing things you love will keep you in a positive mood and give you a dopamine boost, so you don’t have to turn to food, and they will keep you from getting bored, which is another reason people turn to food.
7. Give Yourself Things To Do In The Evening
Many weight-loss diets have certain cut-off times, and it’s easy to start craving foods and to start getting down on your diet because all you think about is how hungry you are.
That’s why it’s very important that you are doing something engaging and fulfilling if you’re on a diet that requires you to stop eating at a certain time, so you have something to occupy doing times when you get food cravings. These food cravings should occur less over time.
8. Do Things To Take The Negative Emotions Out Of Working Out
One of the ways that you increase positive emotions is to do things that put you in a negative emotional state, such as dreading working out. You can try to make working out a more pleasurable experience. For example, you can hold off listening to music and only allow yourself to listen to music when you work out
9. Learn How To Become a Happier Person In General
Don’t just learn how to stay positive when it comes to weight loss. Learn to stay positive and happy in general.