You may have tried many diets, intense workouts, or quick weight loss methods. Initially, the weight may drop, but then soon you fall into a vicious cycle of gaining it back. That feeling of frustration is not due to a lack of willpower, but because the approach is not really right.
In fact, weight loss is not just about eating less or exercising more. The long-term decision comes from how you think, how you understand your body, and how you let your hormones work with you.
So, what are the common misconceptions you need to change to take advantage of the power of your mind on this journey?
Here are the 4 most common:
1. Don’t rely on willpower alone
Many people believe that if you persevere, you will lose weight. But willpower is like a small flame, it can flare up quickly, but it can also easily die out when you are tired, stressed or facing your favorite food. Failure in losing weight does not mean weakness, but often because the hormonal system is working against your wishes. If you only tighten your willpower, you will quickly become exhausted and give up.
For example: After a long, stressful day, you crave a box of fried chicken. If you only rely on willpower to restrain yourself, you will feel a fierce “inner struggle”. But if you change your thinking: “I’m not really hungry, my body just needs to relax”, you can choose to take a light walk or drink a glass of warm water. The craving will decrease on its own, without the need for forced willpower.
2. Don’t ignore the role of hormones
The body is not a simple calorie calculator. Hormones such as insulin, leptin, cortisol… all strongly influence whether you feel hungry, crave sweets or store fat. When you eat the wrong foods, are stressed or sleep poorly, these hormones become unbalanced and become a barrier. On the contrary, when hormones are stable, the body is naturally less hungry, has fewer cravings and burns fat more easily. Therefore, changing your mindset to choose the right foods and creating a new balanced lifestyle is a way to help hormones support you instead of against you.
For example: If you often eat sweets in the afternoon, insulin will continuously increase, causing your body to store fat. When you understand this mechanism, you can change your habits: eat a portion of low-sugar fruit or walnuts. The “feeding hormones” mindset helps you control your hunger without feeling forced.
3. Don’t think that just a quick diet is enough
Short-term diets can give temporary results, but often lead to a yo-yo spiral: reduce – increase – reduce – increase. The reason is that you have not changed the root eating behavior. Focus on a new mindset that is more important: learn to eat slowly, listen to your body’s signals of fullness, choose nourishing foods instead of “suppressing” your cravings. When your mind changes, your habits change, and your weight will stabilize on its own.
For example: Instead of jumping into a diet (like only drinking juice for 7 days), you can focus on small habits: eat slower at each meal. Just chew thoroughly and put your chopsticks down after a few bites, the hormone leptin will have time to signal fullness, helping you automatically eat less without forcing it.
4. Don’t underestimate behavioral change
Your nature is who you are. Long-term weight loss requires daily behavioral changes, not extreme measures. This means:
- Don’t beat yourself up after overeating, but learn to observe and learn from experience.
- Don’t rush to cut out all the foods you like, but find ways to balance them in your diet.
- Don’t force yourself into an excessive exercise schedule, but choose activities that you can maintain in the long term.
For example: If you accidentally eat cake at a party, instead of blaming yourself and abandoning your weight loss plan, change your mindset: “I can balance it out by eating a lighter dinner and walking an extra 15 minutes.” This is a flexible behavior that helps you move forward instead of falling into a spiral of giving up.
Thus, the real Power comes from within you. Losing weight with the power of the mind is not about skipping diet or exercise, but about laying the right foundation for all efforts to become effective and sustainable. When you change your mindset, balance your hormones and gradually form new behaviors, weight loss will become more natural and easier. Remember, this is not a sprint. It is a journey that you accompany your own body. A strong, understanding and patient mind is the only key to achieving your desired weight, and maintaining it for life.
