break down your emotional barriers and start losing weight now
When I finally ended my years long deliberation on if I should try to lose weight (and what I’d do to try), I was shocked to realize how many emotional barriers held me back. These barriers continued to fight back and removed any desire I had to lose weight. Thoughts of what it was going to take to lose weight became overwhelming and upsetting. But one other (fortunate) thing happened- it also became very clear how evil these voices were and how I was given so much more than I was allowing myself to have. Keep reading to discover how you can break down your emotional barriers and finally start losing weight.
Emotional barriers to losing weight
1. fear of the unknown
When something is new, it can be scary. We don’t need to deny that fact, but it shouldn’t paralyze us from moving forward. Entering unknown territory and the hard work and discipline it takes to conquer it is clearly something we see encouraged Biblically. Get your Old Testament on girl!
Unfortunately, moving into a new place and taking on new territory can sometimes mean leaving others behind. Friends or family that don’t understand and refuse to provide anything remotely looking like support can be extremely discouraging to the point it makes us want to not even try. It can leave us feeling isolated and alone. But who is always with us? God! Who wants the best for us and will lead us to fruitful places? The Lord Almighty!
When we want something new for ourselves, new need to shed the old. Praise God we have the OPPORTUNITY to choose something new! PRAISE THE LORD WE ARE NO LONGER BOUND! We have the ability to further embrace our identity in Christ which is wholly free, rather than living by false dictates, fears and pressures. Encourage yourself with the Word of God and the company of others who are also embracing the Truth for themselves. Push forward despite your fear.
2. Unrealistic Expectations
Losing weight is harder work and a longer journey than you may expect. Completely revamping the way you are eating, teaching your body to expect and metabolize different things, and at the same time quiet it’s angry growls and moods is a lot of work physically, mentally, and emotionally.
exercise
It might be nice to think that you will devote 20 hrs a week to exercise; lifting at the gym, hitting the pool, and running in the sun with your earbuds to get those pounds off as quick as possible.
When reality strikes and you realize:
1) You don’t have money for that bougie gym membership
2) Your kids and husband are whining at home for dinner
3) The house is a mess which puts you in a bad mood
4) It rains every day you want to go for a run
Being realistic about how much time you can carve out to exercise is important so you don’t strive for something thats realistically unattainable. Be sober minded and take time to make a realistic plan. Starting small and building on an established habit is better than aiming for something crazy and having to deal with the discouragement over not meeting that goal.
eating
Thinking you will be able to eat out multiple nights a week, indulge in rich sweets and creamy sauces frequently or whenever you want is an unrealistic expectation when it comes to weight loss, especially when you are learning how to count macros. Finding treats and rich foods that don’t incorporate extreme amounts of butter, sugar, and oil and discovering what treats really ‘scratch that itch’ when you have a craving can make a huge difference in your success. Sometimes finding a lower calorie or protein packed substitute that you enjoy can also be a helpful discovery.
3. Perfectionism
Working out to try and have a “perfect” body is not a right reason to pursue a weight loss goal and will ultimately cause you to fail. When we are pursuing a goal because we want to achieve perfection, we are deifying ourselves and not being realistic.
We are not God, we are a fallen human species and we have struggles and difficulties on this side of heaven. A “perfect” body or a “perfect” eating routine will never exist. Stop aiming for perfect and accept who God created you to be, which is a beautiful, special, creative Woman of God, with human limitations. Take His grace with you daily and step forward with your best foot forward, but not fighting reality, which would be a losing battle.
4. Depression
Sometimes being overweight can cause us to feel bad about ourselves emotionally, but also it can have physical consequences that cause us not to be able to feel our best. Digestive issues, physical limitations, other health complications. It’s a complex issue that can make us not feel great. And when we don’t feel great, it’s hard to gather enough gusto to start going.
It can completely sap our energy and try to confine us to the bed, couch, with some mind numbing entertainment. Isolated.
Depression and its low energy can keep us from getting up when we fall. It can hinder our creativity to find solutions when it comes to implementing new habits. Our desire to try new things can be masked by the fear and overwhelm depression can bring.
Just know depression isn’t abnormal. Nothing is wrong with you if you don’t feel your best. All you need to do is read some Psalms to find some camaraderie with your feelings. But just because it isn’t abnormal doesn’t mean it has to stay your normal. Do an assessment to see if there may be any vitamin or sleep deficiencies you can correct. Then, honestly, exercise is a mood booster, and eating right can help you physically feel better so try and start small with one new habit at a time.
If you are continuing to struggle and can’t seem to get a leg up, there is no shame in seeking out some extra support from a Christian Counselor. Find one through Psychology Today and select filters for your location (or online) preferences, and “Christian” for faith. Do what you need to do to get right.
5. Not knowing Your Worth
Do you know who God says you are? Do you understand how much He loves you?
Wash yourself in the water of the Word and unleash God’s truth about you over you. You don’t have a moment more to waste believing less of yourself than you should.
The scars and battle wounds of life, and even actual lies spoken over us can shape our “truth” about ourselves. This affects the decisions we make which will ultimately not line up with God’s way of doing things, or His best for us.
Form a Bible study habit to plant some good seeds in Your Spirit and to start refining yourself to be more Christlike. Start believing you are who God says you are and can do what God says you can do.
you can break free from emotional barriers so they can no longer impede your success
Be encouraged friend, everything worth having is hard work and a process. Don’t give up because you have butted up against some resistance. Press into God and build a discipline habit that will help you move forward and achieve your dreams and all God has for you.
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