From Summer Fling to Lifelong Love: Mindset Shift to Make Weight Loss Easier

Welcome to the Eating Habits for Life podcast! I’m so glad you’re here today. This episode is all about mindset, and this is where it all begins.

The way you think about weight loss and food is going to impact how you feel, which leads to the actions you take. These actions either help or hinder your progress toward your goals.

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Now, let me ask you…. Do you ever think about your weight loss like a “summer fling”? Like one of those hot and heavy ones? Something you go all in on, trying to make dramatic changes, only to see it fizzle out after a few weeks?

If so, you’re not alone. That mindset is actually one of the main reasons why weight loss can feel so hard. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be that way.

The truth is, sustainable weight loss is more like a long-term relationship. Just like any meaningful relationship, you need time, patience, and gradual growth. If you’re looking for a relationship with healthy eating and your body that lasts, you need to approach it with the same care you would with a partner. Building it step by step over time.

And that’s what we’re going to dive into today. I’m going to share how a simple mindset shift can change the way you approach weight loss. So it feels more natural and less like a constant struggle. Then, this Thursday, I’ll give you some actionable strategies that will make weight loss feel easier and more sustainable.

Why Weight Loss Feels so Hard

First, let’s talk about why weight loss feels so hard for so many of us. It’s not because of a lack of willpower or capability. It’s often because we’ve been conditioned to approach weight loss in a way that sets us up for failure.

Think about it. Most of us have been taught that weight loss requires extreme diets, strict rules, or cutting food groups out completely. So, we dive in full throttle, hoping for quick results. We stick with it for a little while, maybe a few days or weeks, but then burnout sets in. And the moment we slip up, it feels like we’ve failed, and we’re right back where we started.

This all-or-nothing thinking is what makes weight loss so difficult. We get so focused on perfection that when we’re not perfect, we give up completely. And feeling like we need to be perfect.

Whether that’s eating super healthy foods all the time or drastically cutting back on portions, creates a lot of pressure. When you’re already juggling a busy life, this can start to feel like yet another heavy burden to carry.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be like this. I know that you can lose weight and create healthy eating habits for life without it feeling like a constant battle. My clients are proof of that, and there are so many others who’ve made lasting changes without all the struggle. That means you can do it too.

Your Current Mindset That Makes Weight Loss Feel Hard

So, what mindset is actually getting in the way of your success? It’s the belief that weight loss has to be achieved by making huge, drastic changes quickly. And being perfect all the time.

This mindset comes from years of conditioning. From diet culture, seeing quick fixes and “miracle” results on TV or social media, and even from the people around you. Even your mother if she dieted.

Your brain has been receiving these messages for so long that they become beliefs. Those beliefs drive the strategies you use, which often lead to frustration and burnout.

Now, I’m not saying you need to throw out everything you’ve learned about health and weight loss. What I’m saying is that it’s time to reconsider the “all-or-nothing” approach. Trying to lose weight by drastically cutting calories or committing to a major lifestyle overhaul is setting yourself up for a fall.

Your body and brain are not going to like those huge changes, and that makes it hard to maintain long-term.

The Mindset Shift That Makes Weight Loss Easier

So, here’s the shift in thinking I want you to consider. Stop thinking about weight loss and healthy habits like a summer fling. Instead, think of it like a long-term relationship.

Sure, a summer fling can feel exciting, but it burns out. Whereas that long-term relationship can feel exciting AND comfortable at the same time. And comfortable in a good way, not a boring way.

Relationships with people don’t just happen overnight. They start with small conversations, a few dates, and then progress naturally. Think about your relationship with food and your body in the same way. You don’t have to go from first date to marriage overnight. You get to know each other, make small changes, and build a sustainable foundation over time.

A healthy relationship with food doesn’t require you to make huge, drastic changes immediately. It’s about developing consistency, taking small steps, and learning what works best for you. And in a way that feels natural. Not to sound too cliche, but the key is to focus on the journey, not the destination. Just like a long-term relationship, it takes time and commitment, but the reward is worth it.

I want you to think about your weight loss and eating habits like that. Not as a summer fling that burns hot and fades away. But as a lifelong relationship that gets stronger with each step. It’s about gradual, sustainable change. This mindset shift will make weight loss feel easier and more way more enjoyable. Plus take away the overwhelm!

Action Steps to Make Weight Loss Feel Easier

In Thursday’s episode, I’m going to show you exactly what to do to make weight loss feel easier and more doable. Without the need for extreme willpower. And so it lasts just like a beautiful long-term relationship. We’ll talk about actionable steps you can take to build momentum and keep moving forward.

So if you don’t already follow the show, then do that now. That way, Thursday’s episode is ready and waiting for you in your favorite podcast listening app.

And if you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or like weight loss is way harder than it should be, then let’s change that. In a free consultation, I’ll help you uncover what’s been keeping you stuck.

I’ll also show you exactly where to focus so that losing weight feels easier and more doable. You’ll gain a simple, personalized strategy that fits your life, without the overwhelm. Plus, clarity and a renewed sense of confidence and hope.

Go to the show notes to book your free consultation. Or, visit my website, https://katemjohnston.com/consult

Thanks so much for listening, take care and I’ll talk with you Thursday.