The 5 Truths of Successful Weight Loss
Published on June 27, 2022
Prior to beginning any weight loss program, it is important to consider a few principles that will make your journey a success. The “truths” outlined below are rarely discussed in the conventional weight loss world, rarely marketed or seen on television ads, yet they offer the candid truth about sustained weight loss— and therefore elicit sustained results.
Truth #1: It is important to lose weight with dignity, in a safe and sustainable manner
In my time in the weight loss world, I have seen a lot of extremes. For example, men and women who were instructed to take 20 or more pills per day, were encouraged to order food by mail or were bullied and yelled at by their weight loss doctor when they did not lose what was expected of them. I have also seen people go extreme with certain crash diets and experience hair loss, constipation, fatigue and dizziness. What I have found with both my readers and clients is that it is of the utmost importance to lose weight with dignity and in a safe and sustainable manner. Your health venture should be one that is supported by loved ones (if you choose to share), is reasonable and sound (based on science) and enhances, not hinders, your overall energy, lifestyle and confidence levels.
Truth #2: You cannot break up with food
Among all addictions and dependencies, unhealthy food behaviour is one of the most difficult to change. This is ultimately why so many quick-fix diets fail: they don’t encourage you to make peace with food. In truth, losing weight is an emotional and physical journey that has to be integrated into new behaviour and thought patterns. Unlike tobacco, alcohol or drugs, food cannot be eliminated from our lives. Therefore, you need to fine-tune your dance with food in order to move forward. This comes with time and practice - so be patient with yourself.
Truth #3: You must identify your triggers
If you examine your eating pattern, you will surely notice specific times of day or certain situations where you fall off the health wagon. Perhaps you drink a glass of wine too many after the kids are asleep, overindulge in the cheese and crackers before dinner or eat sugary candy to bring your energy levels up when experiencing the dreaded 3 p.m. slump. By identifying your triggers, you can bring more awareness to your eating patterns, which will in turn alter your choices. The more awareness you can bring to your eating patterns, the greater success you will have long term.
Truth #4: You gotta wanna
Excess weight and poor health can affect you on many levels —physically, emotionally, spiritually and energetically. However, to make a change, you gotta wanna! The fact that you are reading this article means that you are ready to take the weight off, integrate new behaviours and form a healthier relationship with food. Perhaps you have been burned in the past by false weight loss promises or have struggled with your weight for so many years that you are close to giving up. I implore you, do not give up — you can do it! The wanting is the first brick on your pathway to success.
Truth #5: For a lifelong weight loss shift to occur, you must bring mindfulness to your eating
A client of mine once said to me, “You can’t binge eat and practice mindful eating at the same time.” I couldn’t agree more. Food journaling, eating slower, drinking water, grocery shopping and food planning will all help to bring a mindfulness to the way you are eating and will result in long term weight loss results. One of the most important questions we ask our clients at Shulman Health and Weight Loss is "Can you see yourself following a version of this program in 5 years or longer?" Our goal is on long term success, not short term crash diets that ultimately result in frustration and failure. You can do this....but let's plan for mindfulness and success!
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