30 Dec Conquering common obstacles to weight loss
We know how hard it is to lose weight. We’ve all experienced what it’s like to lose unwanted pounds, only to put some of them back on again. It’s a process. And like any journey, you’re going to encounter obstacles along the way—even if you’re doing everything right.
Let’s just get it out of the way now. We’re a medical weight loss clinic and we specialize in helping people in the Jacksonville area lose weight and keep it off.
So let’s take a look at some common hurdles to losing weight permanently and see if we can’t figure out ways around them:
No support
When it comes to losing weight, getting support from the people around you is crucial. A study by researchers at the University of Aberdeen found that people who find an emotionally supportive exercise partner were more likely to stick with their exercise routine.[1] The same holds true for those who want to lose weight. Support can come in many forms: a friend telling you how proud they are of your hard work; a spouse encouraging you to get up for that morning walk; or simply cheering on your progress over text message.
Whatever form it takes, having someone who cares about your health and wellness will help keep you motivated and on track throughout your journey toward better self-care!
Lack of motivation
Motivation is a fickle beast, and you may find it difficult to maintain your motivation. Fortunately, there are numerous methods for staying motivated even when you don’t feel like it.
Take small actions:
- Take small actions in the direction of your goal instead of waiting for motivation to hit you on its own accord. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, then start eating healthier foods by replacing your sugary snacks with low carb snacks, a glass of water (most people are dehydrated!), fresh fruit or veggie sticks instead (even if it doesn’t feel like enough at first). This will help keep you on track and prevent unnecessary binging later in the day!
Can’t afford it
Can’t afford it: This is one of the most common obstacles to weight loss. We understand that you want to lose weight, but paying for a plan seems like an obstacle in your path.
But here’s the thing: you can’t afford not to invest in your health. Weight reduction regimens like ours do come at a cost because this is a medical practice just like any other, but they are also long-term investments that will help you improve your life and feel better about yourself by lowering stress, raising self-esteem, increasing energy levels, and allowing you to live longer overall!
Trust us, being at a healthy weight is the best feeling in the world.
Don’t let the cost deter you from trying it! Most people who try our plans find that they save money over time because they don’t have to buy as much food as before or go out to expensive restaurants as often because they have learned how to eat healthy, which doesn’t have to break the bank.
Too busy
It’s easy to say you’re “too busy” to exercise and lose weight, but the truth is that you can make time. You just have to be deliberate about it.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider the following suggestions:
- Set realistic goals for yourself by writing them down and make a plan to achieve them.
- “I’m going to contact Blissful Wellness for an appointment on Tuesday this week.”
- “I want to lose 5 pounds in the next 30 days.”
- “I’ll go for a 10 min walk before/after work on M,W,F this week.”
- Turn your phone to silent or do not disturb mode to avoid being distracted by notifications while exercising or eating.
- It’s easy to get distracted on the treadmill if you’re texting back and forth. Control your phone and focus on your health.
- It’s also easy to eat without thinking while engaged in a chat and/or browsing social media.
- Exercise and meals are a great time to be intentionally conscious about how our body feels and what we’re feeding it.
- Take breaks at work throughout the day to allow your brain to relax and recharge.
- There’s a lot of stress eating going on, where people are upset about work, so they snack.
- Get up from your desk at least once every hour and take a short walk for 2 minutes to refocus and check in with yourself.
- Listen to your positive voice, not your critical one. Speak encouraging words to yourself throughout the day.
Kids at home
- Make time to work out. Even when you’re busy, you can find at least 20 minutes a day to exercise. There are lots of free resources on YouTube for yoga, body weight exercises, etc.
- Participate in activities with your children. Children enjoy being active, so enroll them in sports or another activity that burns calories and encourages movement throughout the day.
- Get them involved in the kitchen. Kids love cooking, so it’s a great way for them to be part of their own meals—and yours! Plus, their involvement will help prevent unhealthy eating habits from forming later on down the line as they become teenagers and adults who know how to cook for themselves (and for others).
- Engage them with food shopping. Teach healthy shopping habits early on by going on shopping trips together and explaining why certain foods are better choices than others.
- Involve them in meal planning and preparation! This will keep everyone on track with healthy eating objectives while also saving money because there will be less need for takeout when home-cooked meals are constantly accessible. Allowing your children to participate demonstrates the importance of healthy eating at all ages.
No accountability
The only person you can trust to hold you accountable is yourself. If you’re relying on others to keep you motivated, or to keep you on track, then that’s a sign that it’s time for some self-reflection and a change in mindset.
When you don’t have a genuine and strong drive to lose weight, it might be tough to stick to a weight loss system. People may lack motivation for a variety of reasons, including feeling overwhelmed by the process, being disheartened by previous failures, or not seeing as much progress as they would want.
But that’s why we’re here! We’ll encourage you, track your progress, and help you stay on track so that you can reach your goal.
You can conquer those obstacles and lose weight!
You can lose weight and keep it off. You might think that you need to wait for others to help you, but you don’t. You can do this on your own!
If you’re having trouble finding motivation or support from friends and family, Blissful Wellness is the perfect place for you. There is a supportive and motivating atmosphere, without judgment, shaming, or labeling.
If you’ve tried joining an online forum or community related to weight loss before and haven’t been able to stick with it, give us a shot. Maybe now is a good time to give a new weight loss program like ours a try that’s more aligned with how your brain works right now—people usually find what works best based on their lived experience.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you realize that weight loss is possible, even in the face of commonly faced obstacles. With the right mix of determination, patience, and support, you can lose weight and reach your goals!
Sources:
[1] University of Aberdeen. “A new exercise partner is the key to exercising more.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 October 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161004081548.htm>