When the scale stalls, it’s easy for your inner voice to start whispering negativity like “I’m a failure,” “I’m so disappointed,” or “What am I doing wrong?”
Plateaus bring on so much self-doubt that it’s tempting to just give up.
WAIT! you MUST read this before throwing in the towel!
See more than just the finish line…
You have a goal weight, and that’s awesome. But solely focusing on that can lead you to forget to forget about ‘NSVs,’ otherwise known as Non-Scale Victories.
Are you taking the stairs instead of the elevator? Are you no longer doing that shimmy-hop-wiggle dance to get into your jeans? Did you pass up a slice of pizza?
These are are Non-Scale Victories: positive changes, realizations, compliments, feelings, or victories (small and large) that are independent of the scale. Have you taken inventory of those good things happening in your life right now?
These victories that should be celebrated throughout your journey. Be proud of these moments, they are the herald of change that will help you bust through your plateau over time.
What changes have you really made?
Weight loss isn’t just about making a change on the scale.
Even though your ultimate goal is weight loss, the changes you have made are improving your health on the inside as well.
Think about it: what kind of work does your body have to do to lower your blood pressure, heal your liver, or normalize your insulin levels? That’s some heavy lifting!
It’s like hitting the HARD RESET button in every cell of your body. While you can’t see, feel, weigh, or measure these changes directly, they are happening.
Have patience! All those little changes on the inside ARE quietly adding up to set you up for success in due time.
Plateaus aren’t bad!
Seriously! You have to lose weight and keep it off in order to reach a plateau.
Losing weight and keeping it off rather than gaining it back is a great thing. For some, losing weight can be easy; it’s maintaining the weight loss that is much more difficult. Keeping up with your healthy habits during a plateau is a sneak peek to your ability to maintain your weight loss forever.
So don’t think of your plateau as a dead-end on your journey, but rather as a pit-stop for your body to re-calibrate and catch up to the changes going on inside of it.
In the meantime, just keep swimming!
Remember why you STARTED
Why did you start your journey?
In the first few days, your motivation was at an all-time high. The X-factor that motivated you to start your program such as your upcoming vacation, wedding, reunion, resolve to feel better, be a healthy role-model, or other life-changing event is the spark.
When you come up against a plateau, it’s easy to forget about the spark that lit your fire.
Spend some time thinking about why you initially wanted to lose weight and how important it was to you. Take a moment to reaffirm what it is you truly desire.
The reflection will help stoke the fire you had at the beginning of your journey. Use that flame to drive out all those negative thoughts.
…so, about that person who used to give up? Don’t you dare. That part of you is gone today. Your heart is stronger, your flame burns brighter.
Go. Live the life you desire, no regrets.
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