Someone I talked to this week asked such a great question I had to share it with you: “How do I stay focused on a weight loss goal?”
The question itself holds part of the problem, so my answer is: Shift the goal.
Here’s why:
We learn to want to be different at a very young age: smaller, prettier, smarter, calmer, better – whatever it is. We get really good at the wanting to be different than we are. We go our whole lives practicing wanting to be different. Then, when we change our brains aren’t good at BEING this new kind of different.
Our brains are good at WANTING to be different – so they get back to work on that the moment we let our guard down (and even before that point!). They do the work of getting us back to being who we were.
Our brains are so good at saving energy for us that they take the easy road, every time – even when it hurts us. Easy to our brains is whatever they are used to. So, not necessarily “easy” but “familiar.”
If you’re tired of going through the process of changing because you’ve done it before and you just want to be done. You’re ready for the results, and the results of the results. You want to lose weight so that you can live your life – and that’s the answer to the question of “How do I stay focused to a weight loss goal?”
You stay focused on your goal by making it different, by shifting it to “How do I become my future self?”
Who is she? What does she care about? Where does she shop? What does she do on a rare, lazy Saturday morning at home?
Connecting with her is doing the work of becoming her, not because you have a goal that you are white-knuckling your way towards, but because she pulls you forward. She has the freedom you want.
So ask good questions. Let your brain work on those for you:
“How can I maintain my ideal weight?”
“Will this get me the results I want?”
“Who am I becoming? Is this what she would want?”
Let the future-you pull you forward.
Easier said than done, I know. That’s why I coach. This stuff is tricky! Let me know if you want to check in and see wha’t possible for you – reply and we’ll set it up, free of charge, of course.
Happy Sunday to you, and to future you!
Caryn