“Weight loss” isn’t a deep enough why to sustain the journey. Our brain gets really bored with that, because it’s a “why” that our brain typically equates with restriction, missing out, and possibly even failure. It’s been there, it’s done that, and it didn’t like a minute of it.
Our whys have to be so much more compelling. Our brain has to be excited about it. Our brain has to see all the meaningful benefits of the work. When our brain can foresee the payoff, it gets motivated.
And when our whys are deeper than just “weight loss”, we feel good about being accountable to ourselves. And when we feel good about being accountable to ourselves, we quit sabotaging!
Are you following me here? So, the question is…. What are your whys?
If you need some help discovering them, journal your answers to these questions:
What is your primary motivation for wanting to lose weight?
How do you envision your life changing once you reach your weight loss goal?
What specific health benefits do you hope to gain from losing weight?
How do you want to feel about yourself, both physically and emotionally, after achieving your weight loss goals?
What role does weight loss play in your overall life goals or aspirations?
Are there any personal experiences or stories that inspire you to make this change?
How would achieving your weight loss goals impact your relationships with family and friends?
How can you remind yourself of your "why" on days when motivation wanes?
What are the negative emotions or experiences tied to your current weight that you want to move away from?
How will you celebrate your successes along the way, both big and small?
What values or beliefs drive your desire to be healthier?
How do you want to feel about your body in the long term, regardless of the number on the scale?
Your answers are going to show you your deeper whys.
We all need a big why but we need some small whys too. So take some time to journal your small whys too. They can be just as important in certain moments and can help drive your decision making just as much as the deeper whys. And, listen, don’t be ashamed of yourself if some of your smaller whys seem vain. It’s okay to want to look better! There is nothing wrong with that. It just can’t be the single driving force, because just like the why of “weight loss”, our brain gets tired of it, especially when the outcomes are not happening fast enough. Our whys have to keep us going in spite of the short term outcomes. Our whys are the long haul reasons for weight loss.
I hope that this is helpful! If you’re struggling with your whys, if you’re struggling with holding yourself accountable to you, consider investing in yourself, instead of investing in another diet. This is the stuff that needs healing. Then weight loss gets easier. Click HERE to set up a free 15 minute call and we’ll talk about where you’re struggling and how I can help.
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