My Learning Experience: Weightloss and Body Positive Tips

I made a thread of this advice on Twitter and for the sake of making it more permanent, I wanted to transfer these thoughts to a post!

Here’s a quick outline of some thoughts on how to approach your own journey of accepting your body. Don’t like where you are and are looking to make some changes? Take a peek and see how these could help you frame a healthy, approachable mindset to your goals!

1: Find a goal other than weight loss

Sure, a lower number is great or a gain in weight in muscle is awesome. What is a goal for how you feel? Look? Do you want more confidence? Do you want to change a habit? Is there something else that means "success" to you?

2. Change a habit to a bite-size at a time.

Don't go all in on changes because you will be overwhelmed to the point of giving up. Small changes and steps are key to making and HOLDING onto improvement.

Examples:

• Start with 2-3 meals prepped and ready in your fridge.

• Maybe start waking up earlier even if you don't hit the gym just yet.

• Add some meditation to your work day or a walk instead of hitting a coffee shop for a midday muffin.

Pick a habit, pick your change, & do it for 2 weeks consistently. I usually did a month to make it stick.

3. Understand failure is your friend & perseverance is your most gifted tool.

You will fail. You will cheat. You will go over your calorie budget. You will miss a workout. You will sleep in. You will stay up late. You will have a midnight snack. You will gain weight back.

And all of that is totally fucking normal.

No one said on your "plan" that you have to do it 100% to succeed. Sticking with it for the rest of the day and the next and so on is key. Not giving up.

You KNOW what you have to do, and all you can do is your best each day. Take your wins and keep those in focus. Don't let thought distortions create a reality where you did NOTHING right. You doing everything as planned is a goal every day - but is not necessary for success.

I am sure you did a heck of a lot better than your brain thinks.

Which means...

4. Record everything!

Photos of yourself, recipes, food log, weight, workout reps & exercises. You need a record of what you've done & where you WERE to prove you are doing great. (Because you are!)

Don't lessen your work based on a "feeling". Remind yourself!

5. Just start.

No time will ever be perfect. No weather stops or starts you. No person, event, or whatever dictates when is the "best time" for this to happen.

Just. Fucking. Start.

Start small & aim high. You don't have to do everything when you start. You build up from here.

These are some helpful foundation steps. The next ones I'll share are the tactical steps I do to maintain my lifestyle. If you have any questions on any of these items. Ask away on the thread! Be the best you that you want to be! You can do this, I promise!

You can do anything you set your mind to. Start today!