Why are you failing at your diet?
I want to take look at the most common causes for diet failure and figure out how to avoid them.
The first reason is that you expect a quick fix in a short period of time with minimal effort. Hard work and dedication will help you reach your goals more quickly, but it takes time and patience. You need to realize right away that your goal will not come easily or quickly. It takes 30 days to form a routine; in other words, think marathon instead of a sprint.
The second reason is that you are constantly comparing yourself to others. Comparisons can be bad though when they make you feel insufficient, partial or like you’ll never reach your goals. It’s important to remember that successful people had to work really hard to be where they are. Make sure you’re using comparisons to leverage your success, rather than hinder it.
The third reason I see a diet fail is because of negative attitudes. If you attach negativity to dieting you will never truly succeed. When I work with elite athletes, dieting means accomplishment, success and improvement. They learn to associate pleasure with dieting, gaining muscle, losing fat and beating their competition. When your pleasures offset the agony of dieting, you’ll no longer fail.
The fourth reason is that you are trying to be to perfect. Everything in moderation is the key to success. Some days may be better than others, and some things may work better than others, but be open to new ideas and just go with it. Yes, you need a plan put together but don’t overthink it. Make it simple so you can be consistent, which will help for the life long journey.
The fifth reason is that your friends and social life are bringing you down. The crowd you hang out with will have a huge impact on who you are. Having friends with similar beliefs and goals will help you reach your goals much more quickly.
So, if you really want to succeed in your diet, be proactive and start today. A simple plan is better than not starting a plan at all. Have patience and realize that it will not happen overnight. Create an environment that you will have success in and use comparisons as a tool rather than negative thoughts. Remember, it is a lifestyle change, not a fad.
