How to Lose Weight Joyfully
As someone who’s spent the better part of her life trying to lose weight, I’ve wasted yeara yo-yo dieting (and learning what doesn’t work). It wasn’t until 2018, when a traumatic experience took away my appetite, that I was finally able to understand the energetics of food.
If diet and weight loss were so easy, we’d all have six packs - however, it’s much more nuanced than simply eating less and working out more. Below, I share 33 tips on how to “release weight” in a much more loving and kind way.
Believe it’s possible
Investigate the thoughts that say it’s not
It’s genetic, but also epigenetic (habits, beliefs, and lifestyle)
Remember when you thought you were too fat at 16, but would kill for that bod back? Bring that energy to the present
You are what you say you are, so speak kindly
Stop saying that food is bad for you, or will make you gain weight, instead tell your body how nourishing and satiating it is
Change “lose weight” to releasing - our subconscious mind doesn't want to lose a thing
Analyze your posture, and hold yourself a little higher
Get curious about different ways to nourish and move your body, and choose things that feel good to YOU
Educate yourself about digestion (my fav book on this is Fit for Life)
Educate yourself about the relationship between food and mood
Educate yourself on anything you’re curious about related to the body!!
Reflect on past dieting strategies
Question where those beliefs came from
Let your evolution be joyful
Get naked and realize it’s not as bad as you think
Be grateful for your body and everything it’s brought you so far
Reflect on what you’re emotionally holding onto, and how the physical weight is keeping you safe
Dance more to music that makes you feel vibrant
Laugh
Spend time with people who light you up
Take intentional pauses in your life (meditate) so you can act more responsively and less reactively
Get curious about what actually brings you pleasure
Understand how you’re using food, other than for nourishment
Reflect on ways you self-soothe, and create more supportive practices
Nourish yourself in other areas of your life (fulfilling work, partnerships, play, etc)
Truly enjoy everything you eat
Go try a new to you cuisine (so many cultures have great healthy options)
Pray, or thank you to your food, and all the people who were part of the process
Move your body in a way that you enjoy
Get outside more
Donate clothes that don’t make you feel good
Listen to your body, and lean into what works for you
Bonus - Self-massage your body (abhyanga) while telling yourself how perfect you innately are