Have a Slip Up Plan for Weight Loss Mistakes

Researchers believe the relationship between better self-esteem and weight loss seems to be more or less linear and the more you lose the more improvement. This is especially true for those who lost weight due to a lifestyle change, as opposed to bariatric surgery or diet pills. While the food industry may create an unhealthy supply of salt, sugar and fat in every grocery store, the key lies in quieting your stress response center to make it easier to avoid the temptations.

The next time you find yourself starring into the refrigerator, step back and ask yourself if you are really hungry or not. Don't eat just because you are bored. Identify an alternative activity to manage your emotional needs. A recent study on stress hormone release, concluded that cortisol is secreted every time you get down on yourself and worry about your weight. Unfortunately, cortisol is known to increase fat deposits like visceral belly fat.

• Mindful Eating Awareness - Make it a habit of waiting five minutes before responding to your urges. When something causes you to think about eating, do not respond by eating things that are not in your diet plan.
• Don't Let Your Mind Keep You Fat - Don't fudge on your own diet. Being accurate about your food consumption and detailing your serving sizes is the best way to stay on track by analyzing how you're doing and making changes for better progress.
• Create a Meal Plan for You - Once you’ve determined your diet parameters, you can start making portion-controlled meals that streamline your daily consumption of food.
• Move More in the Morning - Instead of exercising to lose weight, set a goal to participate in an event or activity. Once your focus shifts to getting ready for something you want to do, the motivation should be there to get you going.
• Be Patient with Yourself - Reminding yourself "you can do it" can be much more powerful than relying on your willpower alone. Have some self-compassion and remember perfection is an impossible goal.

It is important for you to start from where you are and focus on what is attainable. If you want to cook more healthy meals but have limited experience with food preparation, checkout the recipes at the Metabolic Research Center and get acquainted with using healthy ingredients. Losing weight is a challenge that millions of Americans struggle with every year. Without a healthy mental attitude, their success rate of weight loss will be quite low.

If you really intend to improve your health and well-being, don't get too wrapped up in a timeline for your reaching your goals. Tell yourself that every 24 hours comes with new opportunities for success and focus on those. People are human and we all make mistakes, so having a "slip up plan" in place can be helpful in overcoming weight loss mistakes like not getting derailed. Forgive yourself and accept your failure as part of taking risks to live a healthier, happier life.