Successful Mindsets for Weight Loss and Life
This Article came from the Sept. 2011 issue of Natural Triad and beyond..
Written by Jade Teta ND,CSCS and Keoni Teta ND,CSCS
Mindsets drives success in any endeavor, and fat loss is no different. Over the
years we have worked with thousands of individuals who have successfully
implemented lifestyle change and transformed their lives. We have been able to
see first hand what about the successful people's way of thinking set them apart
from those who failed. Early on we started to see a very distinct difference in
mindset between those who are successful over the long run and those who
struggled. We thought we would put these insights together for you in one place
so you can become aware of their critical influence on body change and start
working on correcting your mindset for long term body change. If you are feeling
stuck, it is time to look at the way you think.
Here are 5 key successful Mindsets for change in fat loss and life:
1) Right vs. Wrong
Successful people don't think in terms of of a right way and a wrong way.
They don't see things as black and white. They don't get caught up in the
minutiae of what worked for one person, what a fitness magazine might have to
say about the best way to do cardio, what the most recent research paper said,
or what their favorite diet guru thinks about fasting or calorie counting.
Instead they focus on finding and practicing what works for them even if it
flies in the face of common wisdom. Giving up your attachment to right and wrong
sets you free to explore what is true for you.
2) Blame vs. Responsibility
There is no room for blame in change. Successful people in the fat loss
lifestyle avoid the "look what happened to me" mindset. They don't seem to care
about this stuff the way others do. They seem to always look at themselves first
and never see life as happening to them. If there is an issue,they take
responsibility for it and solve it. This is a unique trait among these people.
They own all respects of the process and absolutely shun the victim mentality.
To them all problems are theirs to solve.
3) Quality vs. Quantity
Successful fat loss practitioners don't seem to relish or brag about how
much they are doing, instead they relentlessly pursue the easiest and most
efficient path. The idea of doing more seems to be foreign to them. They want to
do everything in the most efficient way possible. They are "smart seekers". They
don't believe in the idea of "outworking", but instead of "outsmarting". This
means they quickly get and practice nutrition that works with, rather than,
against them. They exercise in a way that serves them and is sustainable.
4) Positive vs. Negative
When these people mess up, they don't see it as failure and they don't cry
about how hard it is. They instead see it as a positive learning experience and
use it to their advantage. We could always tell these types early on. They laugh
and enjoy the process. There is no language like "this is so hard" or "all I
want is to have some ice cream" or "why can't I eat like everyone else".
Instead, they laugh, they play, and they seem to really be enjoying their
journey towards body change. The language is more like "I have been
experimenting with whey protein shakes" or "I am really loving how clean and
light I feel after eating fish and broccoli" or "my niece and I had the best
time making protein pancakes last Sunday". They view the entire experience as
enriching as well as an opportunity to learn and teach.
5) Choices, Not Decisions
These people have learned that choices and decisions are different.
Decisions are based on considerations, while choices come from a places of just
knowing. Rather than looking to their friends about when to exercise or what to
eat, they know already and will follow their plan despite what others around
them might think or do. When they are at a restaurant they barely even look at
the menu and don't decide based on the options there, they instead have already
made a choice before even knowing what restaurant they were going to. When
someone asks them where they want to eat, they say "any place is great for me, I
am getting a salad with chicken". They understand that success in fat loss is
all about choices and can't be contingent on the considerations of others.
These distinctions are some of the most powerful mindset switches anyone
looking for change can make. But one of the curses of being human is that we
often can't see where our issues and weaknesses lay. Want a hint as to where
your mindset issue difficulties are?
Below is a subject questionnaire to help. Answer each of the following 4
questions below. Circle any answer that matches how you would typically handle
the question. Try not to analyze too much, but be as honest as you are able.
Keep in mind you will likely have multiple answers per question and also may
find no answers in the question define you. In that case, leave the question
blank. The scoring system is described below.
1) When I read a research article I will:
a. Change my current regime to be more in line with this cutting edge info.
b. Get frustrated over all the contradictory information in health/fitness.
c. Add what ever tool or technique it is into my existing program.
d. Ignore it. It is just one more thing that makes the whole process harder.
e. I will usually go ask someone I trust to tell me if it is smart.
2) When it comes to changing my diet
a. I don't believe in fad diets. I follow what the experts say.
b. I usually throw my arms up. It's too hard and no one knows the real answer
anyway.
c. I can stick to any diet. All it takes is hard work and discipline.
d. Honestly any change in my diet is a pain. I just suck it up and use
willpower.
e. I usually seek out the diet my friends are doing and do that.
3) When it comes to my social support
a. I tell them exactly what they need to do to help me.
b. This is the issue. How am I going to make a change when the people
around me want pizza and ice cream.
c. I don't care about them. If I work hard enough I will get it done.
d. It takes too much work to find social support. Misery loves company.
e. I am easily swayed whenever I am around people who are eating diffrent than I am.
4) When I decide to make a change
a. I find all the info on the subject from the best experts and go to work
b. All these experts make change incredibly difficult. They spread myths and are
really just trying to sell something.
c. It does not matter what experts say, it is all about discipline and hard work.
d. I get bogged down in all the crap I will have to do and learn and even though it sucks
I slog through it.
e. I like to find out what others did first. I then try to mimic what they did.
Scoring:
Now, add up your answers. Determine how many "a" answers you have, how many "b", etc.
If you choose any letter more than once, it is likely that it is an area of struggle for you.
Keep in mind you may find no areas of difficulty or you may find there are issues in all areas. Here is how the answers break down.
"a" answers= Right & Wrong Mindset
You believe there is a right way and a wrong way and may struggle because you
may need to throw out the notion of right and wrong to find what works for you.
"b" answers= Blame Mindset
You likely believe that it is your unlucky circumstances that are holding you back. It is
a good idea to begin to rethink this belief. Life does not happen to us, we create it.
"c" answers= The Work Harder Mindset
You probably think all you need to do is keep working harder and harder and you will get the result. However, you fail to realize that if you are moving quickly in the wrong direction, you are simply moving farther away from your intended goal.
"d" answers= Pessimist Minset
You have a difficulty enjoying the process and instead view things as if they are going to be too hard, too annoying, too distracting, etc. Work on realizing the process itself has inherent qualities that allow you to teach, learn, and expand your experiences and knowledge.
"e" answers= Decision Maker Mindset
You likely don't like to do much of anything unless you have company and others are also doing it. Work on realizing that choices set you free from having to consider what everyone else may or may not be doing, ordering, or thinking. You have to own your own process.
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