Mindset Shift for When Weight Loss Feels Too Slow

Hi there, welcome to the Eating Habits for Life podcast and another mini episode designed to inspire and empower you with a powerful mindset shift for when weight loss feels too slow.

Listen to the episode here (or read it below):

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I should have already seen results by now”?

Maybe you’ve been working hard on your eating habits or trying to lose weight, and you’re starting to feel frustrated because the changes you expect just aren’t happening fast enough. Sound familiar?

Well, I get it. It’s incredibly easy to fall into that trap of impatience, especially when we’re bombarded with messages promising fast results. But I want to remind you today that it’s okay if results aren’t instant, and there’s a different way to look at this journey that will actually help you make lasting change.

Let’s talk about it.

Quick Weight Loss Results Are Quick to Lose Too

First things first, let’s acknowledge how tempting it is to expect immediate results. It feels like we should be able to drop a few pounds or change our habits overnight, right? And after the New Year, especially, we often get caught up in that energy of setting goals and seeing quick progress.

But here’s the thing: instant results don’t last. They might look good at first, but they don’t stick. In fact, the pressure of needing fast results can often derail your progress completely, leading to disappointment, frustration, or even giving up altogether.

Now, let’s dig into why results actually take time. True, sustainable change doesn’t happen overnight. When you’re working on changing eating habits or losing weight, you’re shifting not just your behavior, but your mindset too. That takes time.

Your body needs time to adapt. And sustainable weight loss is about gradual, manageable changes that you can maintain for the long term. I want you to focus on building habits that will serve you for years to come, not just for a few weeks or months.

So here’s a question for you: What if instead of focusing on the results you think you should have seen by now, you focused on the small wins you’re already making?

Maybe you’re eating a little healthier today. Maybe you’ve learned to say no to a craving you would’ve given in to in the past. Or maybe you’ve just been more mindful about your choices and showing up for yourself. Those are wins, and they all count.

Every small step is progress. If we keep focusing on what hasn’t happened yet, we miss out on celebrating what we’re doing right now. Change happens through consistency, and that takes time.

The Power of Patience

Let’s quickly talk about the power of patience. I know it can be tough. But here’s the thing: patience is your secret weapon. When you give yourself the grace to be patient with the process, you actually set yourself up for success. It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistent, small improvements over time.

I want to share a quick example. I had a client, Nancy a while back who was struggling with this same impatience.

During the first several months, she would lose about a pound each week and I would celebrate each pound with her, but she would then say, “it’s not enough.” I asked her what would be enough and she said “4 lbs. a week.” I told her what she would have to do to lose 4 lbs. in a week and she realized she didn’t want to do that and that it wouldn’t be sustainable.

The way she was losing the pound a week was with small, manageable changes and skills I taught her, which she was improving upon each week. It took her a bit to start realizing that 1 lb. a week was enough.

She not only went from 195 lbs down to the upper 160s, but she has maintained her weight loss. All while still having a little bit of chocolate every day, which was really important to her, as well as go out to dinner 2-3 times a week, which was also important to her for both her career and time with her husband.

When we stop rushing and focus on the process, we can begin to enjoy the journey and actually stick with it. And also, if you end up with a result you’re happy with, does it really matter that it maybe took you a couple of months longer than maybe that impatient part of the brain (that we all have!) wanted?

Alright, so that’s what I have for you for today. Stay tuned for this Thursday’s episode – it’s a fabulous one.

In the meantime, I want you to reflect on today’s mindset shift. The next time you catch yourself thinking, “I should have already seen results by now,” ask yourself: What small win can I celebrate today? Whether it’s one healthy meal, one positive decision, or simply showing up for yourself, those small wins add up.

An Invitation to Explore Coaching

If this philosophy resonates with you and aligns with what you want for yourself, I invite you to explore coaching with me. Book a free consultation where we’ll dive into:

• What you’re currently struggling with.
• Your goals and how you want to feel.
• A clear plan to get you from where you are to where you want to be—and even beyond what you’ve imagined.

And here’s something exciting: If you book your free consultation before December 20th, 2024 and decide to begin coaching with me, I’ll gift you my Confidence Continuum program—a powerful 8-week program designed to help you really maximize your confidence maintaining your results and new habits, plus creating and reaching even more goals.

Let’s make this your turning point – Book your free consultation and start feeling the way you want to feel.