Are your beliefs holding you back?

The biggest thing that I see when working with clients that causes them to not be as successful as they would like is their beliefs. This change we want to see occur most always will mean a change in routine, behavior and in some cases can be a major change in lifestyle.

(Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”)

It is not what type of diet they are adhering to or what type of workout program they are following. For most, but not all, it comes down to what they are ‘telling’ themselves.

Do you recognize any of these limiting beliefs?

-I’m too old to start.
-I have a family to look after and don’t have the time.
-I am older now and this is just what happens as we age.
-I’m never able to stick to anything…I’m a failure!
-What is the point in trying as I will only fail again.
-I’m not going to be able to do this, who am I kidding?

Look back and you will see that you have lost weight more times than you can count but did it stay off? Were you able to maintain that desired weight? Why or why not?

For the record I don’t personally think we should aim for a certain number on the scale but try to be the healthiest we can be at whatever weight that might be.

Go back to the last time you tried to drop the weight…were your thoughts powerful and full of optimism or were they of impending doom and gloom? Did you believe that you would get it right this time or in the back of your mind did you tell yourself that this time wouldn’t be any different than before?

(Matthew 8:26 And he said to them,” Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.)

There are many reasons why we hold onto our weight. You may have come from an abusive background and the weight now serves as your ‘protection’ from further harm. The weight may have helped you to remain ‘hidden’ from the world and it probably did help you at one point in your life cope, but now this way of coping is causing you more harm than good.

The weight may be a way of punishing yourself or keeping you from having to try something new. It gives you an excuse to remain stuck where you are at. Think about it, how different would your life be if you were no longer defined by your weight? That can be pretty scary, I get it, but it’s time to let it go.

We must believe that we will be successful and then begin to cultivate healthy habits that will stick. Start small and build up your confidence and from there you can begin to tackle larger goals. Find what works for you and do more of that. Give yourself permission to fail as it is through our failures that we are able to learn what works and what doesn’t.

Understand that this is a process that takes time. That is why I don’t advocate any type of ‘quick-fix’ diet. It isn’t about the food! The beliefs that drive your thoughts, habits and behaviors took years to develop and won’t be undone overnight. Remind yourself of that when you end up binging or find yourself eating when you’re stressed, lonely or bored. It’s all a part of the process of change.

(Romans 12:12 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.)