Whether we want to drop 200 lbs, or drop that stubborn “last” 10-20 lbs, many of us want to lose weight. But is weight loss really what we want?
After hearing so many clients (and my own inner critic) talk about weight loss for so long, I have come to realize that it isn’t really a specific number on the scale we are after.
What we really want is to:
- lose fat and gain muscle
- have more energy
- to be happy
- be able to participate in our favourite activities without pain
- take less medication
- keep weight off once we lose it
By getting specific with our goals we are able to shift our focus away from the number on the scale and can start measuring our progress and success in more relevant ways.
For example, you might start measuring progress by the distance you can walk before you need to take a break and measuring success by noticing that your clothes fit a little better.
So choose words that convey what you actually want. The language we use influences our feelings, actions, decisions, and even our results. Our self-talk matters.
And the next time you think you need to lose weight, stop and ask yourself, “what is it that I really want?”