Embarking on a journey to lose weight in your 50s can seem daunting, especially when you’re prepared to give up your favorite indulgences. However, what if the real sacrifice isn’t about saying goodbye to foods or drinks you love? Welcome to the Get Your Goal Podcast, where today, we’re diving into the unexpected. I’m Paula B, your certified life and weight loss coach, and I’m here to share the five surprising things I gave up—not food-related—on my path to achieving lasting weight loss in my post-menopausal years. Join me as we redefine what it truly means to let go and embrace a mindset shift that could be the key to achieving your weight loss goals without losing the joy along the way. Let’s get started!
1. Feeling Sorry for Myself
We often don’t realize how much time we spend in a state of self-pity, especially when it comes to body image issues or unmet weight loss goals. This mindset is pervasive and can become an integral part of how we view ourselves. For many years, I was perpetually stuck in a loop of feeling sorry for myself because I couldn’t achieve my desired weight. This pessimism seemed like an immovable weight until I decided to address it head-on. Realizing that self-pity was merely a distraction, I learned to redirect that energy toward self-belief. It was about acknowledging that, biologically, I had every capability to reach my goals without the cloud of gloom hovering above me. Choosing empowerment over sorrow sparked a liberating shift in my journey.
2. Blaming Others
It’s easy to fall into the trap of blaming others for our circumstances, especially when it comes to lifestyle choices linked to weight loss. I found myself attributing my eating habits and lifestyle decisions to the influence of family, work, or social scenarios. But this perspective stripped me of my agency. Acknowledging that the choices I made were mine and that I had the power to change them was a monumental step. It wasn’t about exercising dominance over dinner decisions or workout routines; rather, it was about recognizing that I was in control, which drastically reframed my approach to weight loss.
3. Criticizing My Body
Criticism had become an ingrained aspect of my self-evaluation, rooted deep in my younger years and perpetuating into adulthood. This relentless scrutiny overshadowed any love I could muster for my body, regardless of my weight. The mirror reflected a distorted narrative that I finally chose to rewrite. The practice of cultivating body kindness, speaking affirmingly to myself, and appreciating my physical form for its resilience and beauty revolutionized how I approached weight loss. Instead of being propelled by negativity, my journey became one of gratitude and self-acceptance.
4. Thinking I Couldn’t Figure It Out
There was a time when the idea of losing weight, especially after the onset of perimenopause, seemed overwhelmingly complex. With a barrage of conflicting advice and trendy diets, I felt adrift in a sea of confusion. My turning point came with the realization that I didn’t need to rely on external wisdom to understand my own body. By observing, hypothesizing, and meticulously tracking what worked for me, I empowered myself to become the expert on my body’s needs. Applying the simplicity of the scientific method, I joyously discovered what truly worked for my body, leading to sustainable and satisfying weight loss.
5. Losing Weight Ever Again
This might sound counterintuitive, but giving up the perpetual cycle of wanting to lose weight was one of the hardest but most rewarding aspects of my journey. For years, weight loss was a constant objective, a part of my identity. Letting go of this perpetual goal meant embracing a new identity, one of satisfaction and maintenance rather than incessant striving. This shift required a profound inner change—an acceptance of my body at its healthiest weight and the resolve to abandon the tiresome chase. The freedom that came from this acceptance was invigorating, altering not just how I viewed weight but how I lived my life.
Losing weight in my 50s wasn’t about sacrificing the foods or lifestyle I loved; it was about letting go of these burdensome mental patterns that had held me back. This enlightening journey of mindset transformation is what I aim to share with my clients. It starts with recognizing the real things that need to be given up to make way for a happier, healthier self.
If you’re ready to embark on this transformative journey and shed not just physical weight but emotional and mental burdens, consider joining the Get Your Goal Membership. Together, we can explore how these shifts can lead to lasting changes in your weight loss journey. Remember, the real revolution is in your mindset, and it’s never too late to start that journey.
