by Eliza Kingsford
This article was adapted from Brain-Powered Weight Loss by Eliza Kingsford, licensed psychotherapist, and provided by our partners at Rodale Wellness.
Losing weight, no matter how much or how little, is no joke. Most times it takes an overhaul of your lifestyle habits, coping mechanisms (example: stress eating M & M's), and daily rituals. When you revamp everything in hopes of living your best, healthiest life, things are bound to get crazy-emotional. There are 5 stages you'll experience as you progress on your fat loss journey.
This article was adapted from Brain-Powered Weight Loss by Eliza Kingsford, licensed psychotherapist, and provided by our partners at Rodale Wellness.
Losing weight, no matter how much or how little, is no joke. Most times it takes an overhaul of your lifestyle habits, coping mechanisms (example: stress eating M & M's), and daily rituals. When you revamp everything in hopes of living your best, healthiest life, things are bound to get crazy-emotional. There are 5 stages you'll experience as you progress on your fat loss journey.
You may find yourself moving in and out of these 5 stages many times. This is normal. Start expecting to fluctuate between moments of motivation and considering giving up your new lifestyle. Crossing these hurdles means you'll be on course to reach your goals. You'll know you're there when you've conquered the goal of loving your new lifestyle.
1). The Honeymoon: This is your kickoff motivating phase. ("Wow! Six pounds in just two weeks!") And like the honeymoon stage in a relationship, this phase of losing weight is so called because you want it to last forever—but it usually doesn't. You're excited maybe even exhilarated and ready to make changes. It’s all exciting and new, with endless possibilities on the horizon.
2). Frustration: Following the honeymoon bliss, the dreaded plateau starts to set in. ("I didn't lose a thing for two weeks and then the scale went up!") This is the part of the weight-loss game when you begin to recognize that planning for weight-loss success is a commitment; it can be time consuming and even tedious, and that can make you feel strained. On the bright side, this happens to nearly everyone who sets out to get in shape. The important thing is that you reassess your strategy and continue to make sustainable changes that result in more healthy weight loss over the long term.
3). Tentative Acceptance: This stage happens when trying to lose weight starts to feel like a tentative reality: You see yourself getting there, but you realize it's going to take more time and fair amount of continuing effort. While that's incredibly annoying, keep in mind that a healthy speed of weight loss is one to two pounds per week. As you've probably noticed, it often goes even slower than that. Just don't let that pace keep you from pursuing your healthy habits week after week.
4). Ambivalence: A stage of ambivalence usually enters months down the road when you start thinking, "Holy crap, this weight-management thing is going to be going on forever." That's when motivation really starts to slip. To stay on top of your game, set small, achievable goals every day, week, and/or month. When you accomplish little things like reaching your water intake goal or making it to the gym more than twice a week, you'll be more inspired to stick with your new lifestyle, and continue to implement other changes as you go. Don't let the scale be your sole source of encouragement.
5). Fear of the Future: Some people who see themselves losing a significant amount of weight will be confronted with this fifth stage of weight loss. This is when you realize you are presenting the world with a new persona. ("Will I still be me and will people like what they see?") This usually happens to people who start out obese and have a significant amount of weight to lose. Remember, losing weight doesn't change who you are at your inner-most levels. While you might feel more confident, energized, and awesome about yourself, you're still you at your core. And that's a great thing!
1). The Honeymoon: This is your kickoff motivating phase. ("Wow! Six pounds in just two weeks!") And like the honeymoon stage in a relationship, this phase of losing weight is so called because you want it to last forever—but it usually doesn't. You're excited maybe even exhilarated and ready to make changes. It’s all exciting and new, with endless possibilities on the horizon.
2). Frustration: Following the honeymoon bliss, the dreaded plateau starts to set in. ("I didn't lose a thing for two weeks and then the scale went up!") This is the part of the weight-loss game when you begin to recognize that planning for weight-loss success is a commitment; it can be time consuming and even tedious, and that can make you feel strained. On the bright side, this happens to nearly everyone who sets out to get in shape. The important thing is that you reassess your strategy and continue to make sustainable changes that result in more healthy weight loss over the long term.
3). Tentative Acceptance: This stage happens when trying to lose weight starts to feel like a tentative reality: You see yourself getting there, but you realize it's going to take more time and fair amount of continuing effort. While that's incredibly annoying, keep in mind that a healthy speed of weight loss is one to two pounds per week. As you've probably noticed, it often goes even slower than that. Just don't let that pace keep you from pursuing your healthy habits week after week.
4). Ambivalence: A stage of ambivalence usually enters months down the road when you start thinking, "Holy crap, this weight-management thing is going to be going on forever." That's when motivation really starts to slip. To stay on top of your game, set small, achievable goals every day, week, and/or month. When you accomplish little things like reaching your water intake goal or making it to the gym more than twice a week, you'll be more inspired to stick with your new lifestyle, and continue to implement other changes as you go. Don't let the scale be your sole source of encouragement.
5). Fear of the Future: Some people who see themselves losing a significant amount of weight will be confronted with this fifth stage of weight loss. This is when you realize you are presenting the world with a new persona. ("Will I still be me and will people like what they see?") This usually happens to people who start out obese and have a significant amount of weight to lose. Remember, losing weight doesn't change who you are at your inner-most levels. While you might feel more confident, energized, and awesome about yourself, you're still you at your core. And that's a great thing!
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