Ever felt completely hopeless about weight loss?

You understand that it won’t happen overnight but your progress is so slow you aren’t even sure it’s worth it?

You’re not alone! Almost everyone has these thoughts during their weight loss journey. 

The thing that everyone fails to remember is that even if your motivation tanks, there are still ways to regain that hope and get yourself moving again! You just need to avoid these 3 mistakes which can make losing weight feel impossible.

Mistake 1 - You don’t have goals and if you do, they aren’t clear enough. 

The majority of us understand HOW to lose weight (eat healthier, get more sleep, decrease stress and move our bodies) but we miss out on what it really takes to get there. 

It’s common to see weight loss goals that look like this:

“I want to feel healthier” 

“I want to be able to run more" 

“I want to lose 5-10kgs”

Now these are all great but they don’t include specifics on HOW you’re going to get there. You’ve given yourself a goal without a roadmap... 

You wouldn’t get in an Uber and tell them to go towards the ocean, would you? You’d give them an exact address to ensure you get to where you want to go. 

Your weight loss goals should look like this:

“I want to feel healthier by exercising 3 times per week and sleeping at least 8 hours per night.”

“I want to be able to run 5km by October by running smaller distances 2-3 times per week.”

 “I want to lose 5kgs in 3 months by removing junk food and going for a 1 hour walk 4 times per week.”

These goals make it easier to see where you are at, where you want to be and what you need to do to get there. You have to be clear.

Mistake 2 - You don’t have a plan.

How many people do you know that have lost weight and kept it off without trying or following a plan of some description? None, right?

It’s just like we mentioned above, you need a road map when it comes to losing weight. A plan that you can follow so that you’re not just winging it. A solid plan (for both food and exercise) helps keep you on track and ensures you feel empowered in getting yourself from A to B. 

Mistake 3 - Your plan is unrealistic, unsustainable or isn’t suitable for you. 

You have a clear and specific goal to work towards. 

You have a solid plan to get yourself there. 

If you have these two things and you’re still finding yourself back at square one, you need to reevaluate your plan. 

Your plan should be something you can follow no matter what happens. If this isn’t the case, it’s time for a new one. Many plans involve unrealistic and unsustainable prescriptions like removing entire food groups, prolonged intermittent fasting, or over-training. These work for some people (1% of people) but for the majority they are doomed to fail. 

Here is how to find a plan that works for YOU:

1. Find a plan with flexibility and education
2. Your plan must fit your lifestyle
3. Your plan must hold you accountable

Losing weight and keeping it off for good isn’t something you can wing. You need goals and a plan to keep you motivated, inspired and hopeful no matter what your days throw at you! Stop making these mistakes and start making the process easier for yourself. It’s time to get clear!