Stop creating your own barriers

Among people who struggle with weight management and choice around food I often see a common misstep; they create barriers to change.

We know that food, certain social situations, and alcohol all will create a situation that is not conducive to goals of fat loss or even weight management. That’s not to say that we never leave the house, but it does mean we should adjust our expectations.

If we make choices that don’t line up with our values we are doomed to be unhappy. If choosing to spend an evening eating a high calorie dinner, drinking wine, and indulging in desserts has you stressed out then maybe it’s not the right choice. Or maybe we need to work on acceptance of the fact that we will be overeating that night.

There’s no morality tied to our choice around food. It doesn’t make us good or bad people. But our happiness is very much in line with our actions. If we choose to go outside our goals we must accept that and the repercussions that come with it. If we don’t practice acceptance, we must choose a different path. We don’t have the right to choose a path in opposition to our goals and then be upset with the outcome.

So much of our stress around food is environmental, genetic, and evolutionary. Don’t add to it by setting yourself up to be disappointed. Make choices in line with your values or practice radical acceptance. But you can’t have it both ways.