The time for excuses is over. In this article I will discuss the 6 top mind sets you have to overcome if it is weight loss you are looking for. And not just weight loss, but sustained weight loss.

Vision, goal and take action, that is my motto.

Stop Trying to Emulate Others

Find out what works for your body and what does not.

Do not make the mistake that many people make when they try to copy their idol. These people may make random comments like “spirulina changed my life.” The result is a massive increase in spirulina sales. Yet, spirulina may not suit everyone.

I know when I tried spirulina, I was so constipated after 4 days, I felt like I had swallowed a brick. Since I had sufficient iron levels already, adding spirulina to my daily routine did not suit my constitution at all.

You will know when a food or diet program suits you when you gain energy and vitality as opposed deprivation and irritability.

You Already Have the Tools You Need at Hand

Stop with the excuses and start looking for ways around any obstacles that may be a hindrance to your success.

Don’t have any money? Going for a run is free. Not sporty? Take up walking, even just 10 minutes a day. Step outside your front door and get started. Need weights for your arms? Carry a 500ml water bottle in each hand.

Once you have made a start, no matter what level, you can raise the level of exercise from one week to the next.

There Will Be Pain

I am not going to sugar coat this point. Of course there will be pain, or else you would have made changes to your lifestyle long ago.

I liken myself to a fat person living in a thin body. Yes, you heard me correctly. I am just like a reformed alcoholic who is only a drink away from falling off the wagon. If I find myself wandering from my usual eating habits, I will fall off the wagon. Then I am on the slippery slope to obesity once again.

When I first stopped eating processed foods like brown pasta and breads, I felt miserable. I would crave these foods. But instinctively I knew that I had to work through the initial pain.

Having cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner was a carb overload that did not suit my body. Where was the fruit and vegetables in all this? When I first stopped eating processed foods and introduced a diet comprising more fruit and vegetables, the withdrawals were severe. I had to send my husband and children away for a weekend!

After two days of giving up on the foods I stupidly cherished, I woke up with such clarity and energy. I knew that I had overcome the worst days and the future was going to be okay. The pain was gone and was replaced with enthusiasm and strength to move on.

Do What You Love and Modify Things You Don’t Like to Do

Is your aim to lose weight or improve your exercise endurance but you don’t like joining a gym? Then find something that you enjoy. There may be a walking club in your area. Perhaps you can explore other possibilities. Why not consider line dancing, pole dancing (keep an open mind here), or water aerobics?

Even if you have a regular exercise regime, it is always important to break your routine. This will give your body a change of scenery. Do you take the same walk to the bus stop every morning, or while out walking the dog at night? Try to vary your route and you will be amazed at what you discover.

See something new and pay attention to it. This is the way your body reacts to a new exercise regime. Different muscles may be activated, reigniting your body.

Stay Positive

There will be bad days as well as good.

When I decided that it was time to lose weight and no longer be trapped in the obese body I was encased in, the journey was not all smooth sailing. There were times I would look at my husband with envy and anger. He is one of those rare people who actually has trouble gaining weight. He does not have to watch what he eats and never has to worry about his weight.

Being angry with him served me no purpose. It was only making me miserable. So I decided to concentrate on my own journey. When the weight started to go down, and clothes shopping became easier, the journey was that much sweeter because I had earned it.

Develop a Plan by Visualizing Your Goal

There are 3 steps that you must take if you want to achieve your plan. These are vision, goal and action.

Vision. This is self-explanatory. You want to visualize yourself as being slimmer than you are now. You can do it. You must create a vision about want you want to be able to do, not what you can do.

Goal. Whether it is an upcoming wedding or your own birthday party, having a goal to work towards is a great tool. For me, goals kept changing as I lost weight. At first I thought it would be great to look good for an upcoming family reunion. I aimed to lose 5kg for that event that was one month away. Once I started losing the weight, I knew I could achieve even more.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would lose the 25kg that I did. Breaking it down into achievable goals allowed to me achieve what I originally thought was impossible.

Action. Vision without action will get you nowhere fast! This is where the hard work begins. The first step is the hardest. But once you have made the first step the journey becomes easier. There may be a few bumps along the way to keep you on top of your toes. This is where you have to find a program that suits your style and way of life.

What are your vision, goals and action on your weight loss journey? What changes would you make? Are you looking to lose weight or perhaps start up a new exercise program? Join in the conversation below and I promise I will help make the journey an easier one.