Depression. Self-hate. Frustration.
That’s what most of us feel when we hit a weight loss plateau.
And pretty soon we’re heading for the biscuit tin.
It’s not much fun, is it?
Here’s three tips you can use immediately to convert your frustration into inspiration when the scales aren’t budging.
1. Plateaus are going to happen. Expect ‘em.
If you think you’re the exception to this rule, you’re living in fantasy-land.
And this kind of thinking sets you up for failure because when the scale doesn’t move, you go into self-judgement, “Arrrgh, I suck, I might as well give up now.”
The best thing to do is expect the plateaus.
Women who successfully shift weight and kept it off expect plateaus – celebrate them – because they know they’re part of the journey.
So stop looking at a plateau as failure. Instead…
Expect them.
Embrace them.
Celebrate them.
2. Take back your power from the plateau.
A plateau is just a plateau is just a plateau.
We need to stop believing the plateau has a magical superpower because that’s how we abdicate our own power.
We literally give away our power by making the non-movement of the scale mean all sorts of unhelpful things (how often should I weigh myself?)
The sky isn’t falling on your head. And no, you don’t suck! Stop making the plateau mean something it isn’t.
Instead, take back your power by asking yourself, “How do I need to look at it to make it ok?”
What if the plateau was simply a landing on the stairway to your goal? A chance to re-energise before moving forward? The opportunity for your body to catch up with your mind?
When you’re first pregnant, the outside world can’t see the miraculous shifts happening inside you. The mirror only reflects the changes in the second trimester. Your weight loss journey is similar. The scales simply aren’t sophisticated enough to show all the changes happening inside.
3. Stay curious: what can I learn here?
Sure, you want to be your goal shape and size right now. I get that!
And there’s an impatient part of you saying “If it doesn’t happen by Tuesday, then I may as well go back to my old habits because obviously being healthy doesn’t work.”
That impatience is the fear-based part of your brain lulling you back to your comfort zone.
Push past the fear brain (and plateau) by asking yourself, “What do I need to learn here?”
“What is it that I need to learn about myself, the learning of which, will help me move past this plateau and release this as an issue in my life forever?”
Take the time to listen for the answer.
If you’re impatient and ignore the learning, the universe will make you repeat the lesson.
Instead be curious. The smallest step can represent the biggest step forward, which indicates a break from the past.
As you learn the lesson, you’ll move forward.
Maybe the lesson you need to learn is patience.
Or persistence. Or letting go of perfectionism. Or self-compassion. Or forgiveness.
Stay brave. Stay consistent. Most importantly, stay engaged and keep going – step by step by step.
Love etc, Avril
PS: If you need help taking staying inspired during a plateau, virtual gastric band hypnosis can help. Why not take the first step and drop me a line so you can make peace with food…
