Sometimes when it comes to weight loss, the hardest battles are the ones happening in our heads. How we talk to ourselves and what we believe about ourselves can make the difference between feeling stuck and finally moving forward.
We’ve learned through our own weight loss journeys that you can’t bully yourself into lasting change. But you can shift your mindset and create space for growth. Here’s how:
1. Respect and honor your changing body
For many women in midlife, the mirror becomes a place of criticism instead of celebration. You either zero in on every wrinkle, every pound, every change you wish weren’t there, or you avoid looking altogether. We’ve been there, too.
But here’s the truth: you can’t shame or hate yourself into change.
- Hate leads to punishment workouts and crash diets that don’t stick.
- Respecting and honoring your body looks different. It’s eating nourishing meals, moving in ways that feel good, and resting when your body needs recovery.
Respect doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It means recognizing your body is worthy of care right now. Gratitude for your body and compassion for yourself opens the door to growth, and that’s where lasting change begins.
2. Challenge the Beliefs You Hold About Yourself
Negative self-talk is sneaky. It whispers things like:
- “I’ll never change.”
- “I don’t have time to take care of myself.”
- “I’m already too far gone.”
- “I don’t have it in me to try anymore.”
But here’s the truth: beliefs are not facts, they’re choices.
You get to decide what you believe about yourself. Write one old belief down and reframe it:
- Change “I don’t have it in me to try anymore,” to “I’m learning what works for my body now, and how to make it simpler.”
- Change “I don’t have time,” to “I have time because my health is a top priority.”
Your beliefs shape your behavior. And when you choose new beliefs, you open the path to real change.
3. Realize That Perfection Isn’t the Goal
We tell ourselves stories like, “This time I’ll do it perfectly.” But perfection doesn’t exist. And if it did, it would take the human out of us.
Missing a workout, craving sweets, or having a rough week isn’t failure. It’s just normal life.
The women who see results in midlife are not the ones who hit every goal flawlessly. They are the ones who show themselves mercy when they slip, and then start again without dragging shame along with them.
Progress, not perfection, is what moves you forward.
4. Consistency Takes Practice
Once you take perfection off the table, you free yourself to focus on consistency. Consistency is not about doing everything right. It is about showing up often enough that the small choices begin to stack into something powerful.
- Skipping one workout will not ruin your progress.
- Eating one balanced meal will not transform your body.
- But repeating those small actions, day after day, is what creates lasting change.
Think of it this way: swapping one sugary drink for water each day might not feel like much in the moment. But over a year, that one swap means thousands of ounces of hydration and far less sugar weighing your body down.
Consistency is not about perfection. It is about practice. Keep showing up, even imperfectly, and trust that steady effort is where the real transformation happens.
5. Use Habits as Your Foundation
Motivation will always come and go, but habits hold you steady. That’s why we created our 11 Daily Habits. They’re not rigid rules but tools you can lean on to guide yourself back into balance.
Think of habits as your foundation:
- Some days you’ll nail several.
- Other days you’ll only manage one or two.
That’s okay. Habits aren’t about perfection, they’re about direction. They remind you where you’re headed and keep you moving, even on tough days.
If you’re not sure where to start, choose just one habit to focus on this week. Over time, these small steps add up to big, lasting changes.
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We hope these mindset shifts have given you a new way to look at yourself and your goals. You deserve to feel healthy and supported. Even on the days you doubt it, you’re capable of small changes that add up, and that’s what truly matters.
If you are ready to begin, try starting with the 11 Daily Habits for Weightloss in Menopause. Find out what you can start working on today, no matter where you are in your journey.
Jump over to our 11 Daily Habits here!
