🏋️ Five Things I Learned From My Weight Loss Journey

Published: Tue, 06/21/22

Five Things I Learned From My Weight Loss Journey

This article is NOT a comprehensive guide to achieve weight loss. Instead it lists things that helped me build a healthy relationship with food and exercise gradually through my weight loss journey.

1. Investing in professional assistance

I have been working out for a few years now, and the biggest mistake I made was to think I know it all. Unfortunately, I did not. In 2020, I spent three months doing home workouts which did not lead to significant results. Then, I got myself a personal trainer who, at the time, was taking online training sessions all over the world. He took care of my calorie deficit and exercise routines that gave me the results I was looking for.

Get in touch with a professional, be it a fitness trainer or a registered dietician depending on the kind of help you require. Trust me when I say this, let professionals do their thing but also ask questions. Try to question why a certain exercise is being suggested or why a certain food is being added or eliminated from your diet. Your body is your home. Transforming your home should never be performed in the dark. Becoming cognizant of your routine is going to help you sustain it in the long run.

2. Putting the scale away

I can’t stress this enough, but please refrain from checking your weight everyday. There are multiple factors that affect weight loss, so don’t let a scale alone define your progress.

Measuring your weight once a week should be sufficient. I understand that a weighing scale can look tempting but it sure can interfere with your motivation levels when expected outcomes are not achieved. Instead, focus on measuring your energy levels, sleeping habits or, perhaps, mood elevations.

3. Celebrating small victories and sharing them with others

Weight loss is a personal journey, and mental transformation is as important as the physical. It’s important to appreciate little things along the way, and let go of things that didn’t work out. In my case, posting my workout videos on social media gave me a sense of stimulation, and helped me meet people with similar interests that drove immense motivation.

Appreciating small wins, such as meeting your calorie deficit, an extra workout that week, a few extra reps, increase in physical and mental strength etc., create an environment for big wins.

4. Acknowledging mood swings

Let’s be practical. You are not going to have the same motivation everyday. You are going to feel miserable some days. You are going to want to disrupt your routine. You will definitely start comparing yourself to others. You are going to feel stressed when you don’t see noticeable improvements. You will feel like quitting everything. And it’s okayyy!

Let all those feelings pass through your mind, acknowledge them and let them go. Just like meditation! Remember that they are passing clouds and are not going to do anything good if you get stuck on to them. If you feel like disrupting your routine that day, take a day off but remember to let go of that feeling and get back stronger. Keep in mind that there’s no hurry to achieve what you want. Desires never end, so be patient, keep pushing and you will see results come your way effortlessly.

5. Overcoming All-or-Nothing Mentality

Let’s suppose your routine includes working out 5 days a week, and you skipped three days already due to other commitments. Maybe you were sick or traveling or were prioritizing an important project or perhaps just didn’t have the mood. What most people do is skip the remaining two days and decide to start fresh the next week. I’m sure most people can relate to this.

Thinking that your life is either going to be perfect or a disaster is very unrealistic and only sets you up for failure. Think of every moment as a new opportunity to do better, push harder and be a greater version of yourself. Rather than viewing your end goal holistically, focus on building a lifestyle that you can sustain in the long run. So instead of skipping those two days, show up for yourself and allow those small actions to contribute to the end goal.

Best Regards

Meghana Ravirala