Stop Saying “I Want to Lose Weight” and Say This Instead...
Reviewed By Danielle Glesne, RDN, LD, CDCES“I want to lose weight.”
It's one of the most common things people say when they decide they want to improve their health.
But there's a problem with that statement.
Wanting something and being willing to do what it takes to achieve it are two very different things.
Try changing the statement.
Instead of:
“I want to lose weight.”
Say:
“I am willing to lose weight.”
That small change in language can represent a much bigger change in mindset…
Wanting Is Easy
You can want to lose weight without changing anything.
You can want to lose weight while continuing to eat the same foods, consume the same portions, drink the same beverages, maintain the same activity level, and follow the same routines.
There is nothing wrong with wanting the outcome.
But wanting the outcome doesn't create the outcome.
At some point, your behaviors have to change.
Willingness Changes the Question
“I want to lose weight” asks: What do I want?
“I am willing to lose weight” asks: What am I willing to do differently?
That's a much more important question.
Am I willing to eat in a calorie deficit?
Am I willing to eat more protein and fiber?
Am I willing to drink more water?
Am I willing to make different decisions at restaurants?
Am I willing to eat differently at social gatherings?
Am I willing to be more consistent with my nutrition?
Am I willing to become more active?
Am I willing to give this enough time to work?
Willingness turns a desire into a commitment.
Are You Willing to Be Uncomfortable?
Losing weight doesn't mean you have to be miserable.
But it may require some level of discomfort.
You may occasionally be hungry.
You may have to say no to something you want right now because you want something more later.
You may have to change routines that have become comfortable.
You may have to tolerate slower progress than you'd prefer.
The question isn't whether it will always be easy. The question is whether you're willing to do it anyway.
Are You Willing to Make Different Decisions?
You don't need to completely overhaul your life overnight.
But if your current decisions consistently produce your current results, different results will eventually require different decisions.
You already eat meals.
You already eat snacks.
You already grocery shop.
You already go to restaurants.
You already attend social gatherings.
You don't necessarily need a completely different life. You need different decisions within the life you're already living.
Are You Willing to Be Consistent?
One healthy meal doesn't change your body.
One workout doesn't change your fitness.
One day of eating in a calorie deficit doesn't produce meaningful long-term weight loss.
Results come from what you consistently do over time.
You will have busy days.
You will have celebrations.
You will have vacations.
You will have meals that don't go according to plan.
That's okay.
Being willing to lose weight means being willing to return to your habits when life inevitably knocks you off course.
Are You Willing to Be Patient?
We live in a culture that wants immediate results.
But meaningful changes in body composition don't happen overnight.
You may not see progress every day.
The scale will fluctuate.
Some weeks may be better than others.
Don't confuse a lack of immediate progress with a lack of progress altogether.
If your behaviors are consistently aligned with your goal, give the process time to work.
Are You Willing to Stop Chasing Perfection?
You don't need to eat perfectly.
You don't need to exercise perfectly.
You don't need to have a perfect week.
You need a sustainable approach that you can continue doing.
Consistency beats perfection because consistency is something you can actually maintain.
Wanting the Outcome vs. Wanting the Process
Here's the uncomfortable truth:
You may want to lose weight without wanting to do what losing weight requires.
And that's okay.
You don't have to pursue weight loss.
But if you decide that you do want to pursue it, be honest with yourself about what that means.
Because the goal isn't simply: “I want to lose weight.”
The goal becomes: “I am willing to change my behaviors, be consistent, tolerate some discomfort, be patient, and make different decisions in order to achieve the outcome I want.”
That's a completely different mindset.
Start With the Statement
The next time you catch yourself saying: “I want to lose weight.”
Pause.
Ask yourself: “Am I willing to lose weight?”
And then ask the harder question: “What am I willing to do differently?”
Because wanting a different result is easy.
Being willing to change the behaviors that produce that result is where transformation begins.
If you’d like personalized guidance on what this means for you or your family, don’t hesitate to CONTACT US.
We’re here to help.
