Has the summer passed you by only to leave you still looking for that ‘bikini bod’ you were determined to get?

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are rock-hard abs nor the perfect perky booty! Getting into the best shape of your life is a journey and even though you may not have hit your goal in time for summer, it doesn’t mean you should give up.

In this four-part mini-series, I will be answering questions, debunking myths, offering advice, sharing best practices and hopefully providing just a little bit of encouragement to help you on your journey.

Here in, Part Two: Mindset Shift-A Key to Weight Loss Success, I will provide six ways in which shifting your mindset can help you increase your weight loss success rate. After reading, please hit the ‘like’ button, then feel free to ask some questions or suggest topics you’d love to know more about below in the comments section! Don’t forget to read Part One:FAQ’s!

1. Read (and practice) Personal Development

This can come in the form of religious devotional time, reading the latest self-help book or even watching YouTube motivational videos. Set aside fifteen to thirty minutes or more each day to read something inspiring and uplifting and allow yourself to sit in quiet meditation reflecting on the reading. Finish up by setting an intention for the day. See this article for more on how to create an uplifting morning routine.

2. Limit Social Media usage

While much can be gained from the use of social media, connecting with friends and family, networking with likeminded folks across the country and learning new things to name a few, there does come a time when social media usage does need to be limited. If engaging in social media is keeping you from other tasks, or causing you to miss out on quality time with friends or family, it might be time to take a hiatus. Your goals (and relationships) are bigger and more important than anything on social media.

3. Create a Vision Board

Vision boards can help you begin to focus on the things you desire and the goals you want to achieve. By putting those goals on paper, you are able to see exactly the vision you want for yourself and thus you can begin to work on manifesting positivity, love and abundance into your life. Vision boards are easy to create and can be made any time of the year. An added bonus, you don’t even need to be an artist to create one! Read here for more about my very own vision boarding experience from earlier this year.

4. Get Adequate Rest

Studies have shown that sleeping eight hours a night is beneficial for proper metabolic function which can positively influence weight loss. You can increase the likelihood for a peaceful night’s rest by creating comfortable sleeping conditions (freshly made bed, laundered sheets, cool, dark room, etc.), limiting screen time within an hour prior to bed, and even using a white noise machine. By getting consistent sleep over a long period of time and you may begin to notice improved mood, increased energy during the day, higher levels of productivity and enhanced weight loss results.

5. Get a Hobby or Join a Social Group

Everyone needs a creative outlet beyond the scope of their work. For some, knitting or cooking might be the way to go. For others, joining a kayaking club, a book club or even a mommy and me playdate group might be just what they need to let off some steam and relax. Having a creative outlet can help you to be more focused, improve brain activity and also be happier, all things that can be beneficial on your weight loss journey. I love my Herbalife community for just this reason: likeminded individuals, coming together to support one another and their goals. To learn more, click here.

6. BYOBG (Be Your Own Body Goals)

“Comparison is the thief of joy” –Theodore Roosevelt

By spending precious time and energy comparing yourself to the many images of ‘perfect’ fitness models and celebrities we are bombarded with in the media, you are taking away from the most wonderful of God’s creations, you! Remind yourself every day that you are powerful, you are strong, you are beautiful, you are healthy. You, my friend, are fearfully and wonderfully made. Build your best body, the one that makes you feel good, not the one you’re told to like by media’s standards. Be your own body goals!

Mindset is crucial to the development of a strategic plan for reaching any goal that you set. When starting a weight loss journey, keeping a positive mindset will go a long way towards being committed, successful and happy. Practice some or all of the strategies above and let me know how it goes! If you have any daily practices that you use to stay upbeat and excited while also reaching your health goals, feel free to share them in the comments!

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