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Do you say to yourself, “If I could just be thinner…” or “If I lost 10 pounds…”? These thoughts go through so many of our minds and end up sabotaging our progress. I honestly can’t remember a time I wasn’t concerned about how much I weighed. In my mind, if I lost the weight my life would be amazing (more friends, the best boyfriend/husband, perfect job…). Sound familiar?
I have come to realize that this is a destructive mindset. So, I started to change my mindset from working to get thin to working towards feeling healthy and strong. Join me and change your mindset. Work daily to believe that feeling healthy and strong is more important than being thin. It doesn’t matter what new workout or diet you try unless you change your mindset.
Can you change your mindset?
Our happiness, success, and worth are not dependent on our weight. Now, this is easy to write and on most days I believe this. There are days that I still fall into the trap of believing that everything would be better if I just weighed less. Don’t give up, start each day fresh, and keep reminding yourself of your new mindset. 
1. Exercising is NOT like Middle School Gym Class!
Remember middle school gym class? I don’t know about you, but I HATED gym. We had a teacher that made us run circles around the gym at the beginning of each class. In my mind, I equated exercising with my dreaded middle school gym class. Thankfully, I discovered Pilates, yoga, weight training, etc. I actually learned to enjoy working out! Try new workouts or exercises until you find what works for YOU.
2. Food is Fuel, not Evil
Too often I would focus on eating less food, less fat, or fewer calories. Through a fabulous nutritionist, I discovered the power of eating the right food. Try eating less processed food, meal plan to avoid eating fast food and try to eat fewer carbs. Want to meal plan, but don’t know where to start? Check out the 2019 Healthy Meal Planning Bundle below. The bundle opens soon and is only available for a limited time. Sign up for notification, so you don’t miss out on this great offer.
3. Running can be FUN
Ready for one of my 1st 5ks!
As a stated earlier I dreaded gym because of all the running. Anyone remember the mile run test in elementary school? I was always one of the last kids to finish. So when I was pushed to coach our elementary school’s Girls on the Run program my first response was a definite, “NO!” Luckily, they changed my mind. Girls on the Run teaches 3rd to 5th-grade girls to become stronger and healthier both physically and mentally. It doesn’t focus on becoming perfect. As I taught the girls these important lessons I learned them as well. I’ve now completed more than six 5Ks!
So, don’t be afraid to try something that you struggled with before. You never know you may find a new hobby.
4. You Don’t Have to Eat Healthy 100% of the Time
When we start trying to eat healthily it is easy to have an all or nothing philosophy. If we have an “unhealthy” day or meal we tend to throw in the towel. I was under the same belief that if I didn’t eat healthy all the time I had failed. The nutritionist I worked with shared that we have to focus on what we are doing right. Set yourself the goal to try and eat healthy 80-90% of the time. It’s ok not to eat healthy 100% of the time, but the majority of the time you will be.
5. There’s No Magic Solution
Don’t you wish it could be as easy as it is in the movies? In the movies the dowdy, frumpy main character suddenly starts working out, eating healthy and her whole life transforms. This, as I am sure you know, is unfortunately not the case. The workout program that worked great for your friend could have no impact on you. Don’t give up. Keep trying new things there are so many great tools out there but don’t expect a magic solution.
I have had a lot of ups and downs in my journey. One summer I was doing great, working out 2-3 times a week and eating healthy; then I got Plantar Fasciitis and the doctor told me I shouldn’t go to the gym for a while. I crashed and burned. At first, I gave up until I realized that I had to find a new way to exercise that was low impact.
Want help, but don’t want to go through a nutritionist I’ve had great luck with the Noom app. It’s helped me learn more about how I think about food and how to get healthy. It’s definitely not a “magic solution” but Noom has been a great tool for me on my journey to getting healthy. Read more about my experiences with the Noom app in this post: Small Diet Changes Can Make a Difference.
Changing your mindset is something you have to work on daily. We can impact others’ mindsets based on how we talk about our bodies, dieting, or weight. I want my daughter to have a positive body image and I know my mindset will impact hers.
I challenge you to check in with your mindset. Are you focused on getting thin or getting healthy?