Mindset Shift to Get Unstuck After Winter Weight Gain

Hi there, welcome to the Eating Habits for Life podcast!

I’m bringing back the Monday mindset shift, but with a new twist. The reason I wanted to bring it back is simple… it was a hit! And more importantly, it’s crucial for you to understand that weight loss isn’t just about taking action. It’s also about what you’re thinking.

Listen to the episode (or read it below):

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So, having a mindset shift at the beginning of the week will set you up for greater success with the action steps, which I’ll share with you later this week on Thursday.

Mindset shifts are powerful. Action steps are powerful. But when you combine the two? That’s where the magic happens.

Alright, let’s jump into today’s mindset shift to help you get unstuck after winter weight gain.

Why Winter Weight Gain Happens

First off, I want you to know that winter weight gain is incredibly common. It happens for many reasons….. colder weather, shorter daylight hours, increased cravings for comfort foods, and just an overall shift in routine.

But the real issue isn’t the weight gain itself. It’s our thoughts about it.

Certain thoughts can create negative emotions like feeling stuck, discouraged, or frustrated. These emotions often come from thoughts like:

• I’ve ruined everything.
• I always ruin my progress in the winter.

Thoughts like these don’t feel good, and they certainly don’t give us the energy or motivation we need to move forward.

So, why not set yourself up for success with a thought that actually encourages and motivates you? A thought that creates more positive emotions? Because when you shift your thoughts, your actions naturally follow.

And those actions? That’s what we’ll cover in Thursday’s episode.

The Mindset Shift to Get Unstuck

Let’s take the thought:

“I’ve ruined my progress by gaining weight this winter.”

You might be thinking something similar, or this thought might be lingering in the background, even if you’re not fully aware of it.

This thought likely makes you feel frustrated, stuck, or other negative emotions. Since the goal here is to get unstuck, we need to reframe or shift this thought.

Let’s choose the feeling of unstuck as our target emotion. You could also aim for motivation or encouragement, but for today, let’s stick with unstuck.

Now, what’s a thought that’s more forward-thinking? Something that helps you feel unstuck and ready to move?

Try this:

“I gained 7 lbs this winter, but I will take small steps to lose it again.”

Can you feel the difference?

This thought is action-oriented and forward-moving. It helps you break free from that stuck feeling. A thought like this can also generate other positive emotions, like determination and confidence, which serve as fuel for action.

Making Sure the Mindset Shift Works

Let’s check to make sure this thought is actually believable.

The first part…“I gained 7 lbs this winter,” is a fact. (For you, just insert whatever your actual number is.) Facts are hard to argue with.

The second part…“but I will take small steps to lose it again,” needs to also feel at least partially believable. And I bet it does.

Now, between these two thoughts, which one feels better?

1. I’ve ruined my progress by gaining weight this winter.
2. I gained 7 lbs this winter, but I will take small steps to lose it again.

I’m guessing the second one. That’s the mindset shift.

And between the two, which thought is more likely to inspire action?

For me, it’s absolutely the second one.

Putting This into Practice

To make this shift stick, start by writing your new thought down. Read it. Think it to yourself. The more often you do this, the more natural it becomes.

Then, combine it with 7 simple, easy action steps, which I’ll share with you this Thursday. So stay tuned!

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Thanks so much for listening. Take care, and I’ll talk to you on Thursday.