Your Mindset Is More Important Than the Diet You Choose

When it comes to losing weight, there are a lot of different diets that you can choose from. But which one is the best?

The truth is, they all work. It all depends on your mindset and how determined you are to stick with the diet. If you are willing to change your lifestyle and put in the hard work, then any diet will work for you.

I want to convince you that if you’re going to succeed, the critical factor to dieting success is having the right mindset.

Your mindset is the key to losing weight and keeping it off.

I’ve tried many diets in my lifetime — Paleo, Low-Fat, the Cabbage Soup Diet, 5:2, Mediterranean, Intermittent Fasting. You name them, I’ve tried them! To be honest, they all work! I’m certainly not advocating one diet over another, though clearly, some are healthier than others.

On the other hand, being overweight carries its own health risks. So you could also argue that if you can lose weight even with an unhealthy diet, it might still be better for you in the long run.

So, if it really doesn’t matter HOW you lose weight, what DOES matter?

Your ability to stick with it, bounce back from any setbacks, avoid temptation, and stay the course for the long term. These attributes don’t come from what you eat but from your mindset. I’m convinced that if you approach your weight loss program with a focus on mindset (as well as counting grams of fat, calories, or carbs), you greatly enhance your chances of success!

You need motivation, commitment, resilience.

The problem with any diet is sticking to it because weight loss is a slow and arduous process. There are too many temptations out there — holidays and special occasions, situations where delicious food is put right under your nose, dining out in restaurants, etc. You need to have the right mindset to stick with any diet for weeks or months.

It is also essential to stay motivated throughout your weight loss journey. This can be difficult, especially if you are not seeing results as quickly as you would like. But it is important to remember that slow and steady wins the race. Don’t give up, and eventually, you will reach your goals.

You need to make a steadfast commitment to it. Goethe once said,

“At the moment of commitment, the entire universe conspires to assist you.”

If you are 100% committed, you will find that there is always a way to get through any challenging times.

Last but not least, you need to be resilient when it comes to weight loss. You can’t throw in the towel because you have a bad day, fall off the wagon, or gain a few pounds. There will be setbacks and times when you feel like giving up. If you can push through these tough times, you will be successful in the end.

You have to want to change for yourself, not for anyone else.

You’ve probably been in that position where you had an important event coming up (such as a wedding), and you managed to lose weight. You were successful because you really wanted to lose weight for yourself and not because you thought you should or it was the right thing to do.

In the end, it all comes down to you and your desire to change. If you want to lose weight for yourself, then you will find a way to make it happen. But if you are doing it for someone else or because you feel like you have to, then it’s unlikely that you’ll be as successful. Remember, this is your journey, and you need to be the one in control.

There are no quick fixes for losing weight — it takes time and patience.

If you’re like me, you probably look for a quick fix for losing weight. You want to see results immediately and get frustrated if you don’t. So never start a diet with the idea that you will see quick results. If so, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.

If you have realistic expectations and the understanding that it will take time, you will have the right mindset to stick with it for the long run.

Make small changes at first, so you don’t get overwhelmed

If you try to change everything at once, you’re likely to get overwhelmed and give up. So make small changes at first, such as cutting out sugary drinks, eating an extra piece of fruit every day, or doing 20 minutes of exercise. Once these become habits, you can then move on to other changes.

It takes 21 days to develop a new habit, so for the first 3 weeks, you need to consciously try to stick to it. Otherwise, your old unconscious behavior patterns will kick in. Once you’ve done something for 3 weeks, it becomes your new unconscious habit, and you can focus on the next lifestyle change. So, if you want to make healthy eating your new habit and something you can sustain forever, only make a few small changes at a time.

Believe in yourself and stay positive, even when things get tough.

The most important thing is to believe in yourself and stay positive, even when things get tough. There will be times when you feel like giving up, but if you push through, you will be so glad that you did! Remember why you are doing this and keep your eye on the prize.

Sometimes it helps to have a weight loss buddy or join a group that holds you accountable every week. Knowing that there are others out there who are going through the same thing can be very motivating and help you stay on track.

I hope I’ve convinced you that the most important factor for success in weight loss is your mindset. If you pay as much attention to your mindset as you do to the food you put in your mouth, you will be successful.

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” — Buddha.

If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider signing up to become a Medium member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to stories on Medium. If you sign up using my link, I’ll earn a small commission.