Overwhelmed and Frustrated? Here’s How to Start Your Weight Loss Journey with Confidence

Starting a weight loss journey can feel overwhelming and daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start or have tried and failed in the past. As a woman, the pressure to look a certain way and achieve unrealistic beauty standards can add to the frustration and feelings of inadequacy.

However, it’s important to remember that weight loss is a journey, not a destination, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at the beginning. There is so much information out there about how to start a weight loss journey it can feel like too much, that’s why I like to break it down for my clients and readers, to make is as straightforward as possible.

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help you overcome feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and uncertainty, and kick-start your weight loss journey with confidence and determination.

Acknowledge Your Feelings:

The first step in overcoming overwhelm and frustration is to acknowledge and validate your feelings. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of making significant lifestyle changes, but it’s important not to let these feelings hold you back.

Recognise that it’s okay to feel uncertain and frustrated, and give yourself permission to take small steps forward, even if they feel daunting at first.

Start Small…

Break your weight loss journey into small steps. Instead of focusing on the end goal of losing weight, shift your mindset to focus on the journey itself by changing your habits.

Here’s the secret…

Once you change your habits. Weight Loss becomes inevitable. 

Start by making 1-2 small changes at a time. For example, if you currently have cereal or a bagel at breakfast, swap it out for a healthier alternative. I give suggestions over in my blog post “15 Breakfast Swaps for a Healthier Lifestyle”

Once you are comfortable with that, start on giving your lunch, snacks or dinner a makeover.

Embrace the process of growth, and self-improvement that comes with embarking on a weight loss journey. Remember that every step you take towards better health and well-being is a victory, regardless of the number on the scale!

Set Realistic Expectations:

No, you are not going to lose 20lbs by next Friday! Even if you did it will only pile back on (plus some extra!)

Here’s the bottom line, if you want to lose weight for good then you need to ditch the “lose a stone in 21 days” rubbish. These aren’t coming from experts in health & weight loss. They are coming from marketing experts with ZERO morals. These types of headlines are designed to get your attention (and your money!)

By setting realistic and achievable goals for your weight loss journey, taking into account your current lifestyle, commitments, and limitations, you are far more likely to be successful and not get frustrated on your weight loss journey.

Add in exercise:

Do you know what I hear so often from women?

I’m going to lose weight first and then start to exercise.

Here’s why this isn’t the best idea.

Physical exercise is vital to your health and weight maintenance. Everyday you are inactive is another day where you are damaging both your physical and mental health. 

It’s crucial you add exercise. When you start your weight loss journey make sure you have a plan to move.

But here’s the thing…. moving more does not mean you have to start hitting the gym for an hour a day 5x a week. This is the kind of unrealistic expectations that put people off.

Instead, come up with exercise you enjoy, check out home workouts online (plenty of brilliant choices and some are free), take up a dance class, bounce on a rebounder (the more adult word for a trampoline!), go for a walk in your lunch break or go on a family bike ride at the weekend. 

There is so much more to exercise than pounding a treadmill in a grey and cold gym.

Seek Support:

Don’t be afraid to reach out for support from friends, family, or a professional, such as a health coach, who can help you navigate your weight loss journey and provide encouragement and accountability.

Surround yourself with positive influences who believe in your ability to succeed and support you unconditionally.

If you don’t have anyone in your current circle then try places like meet up and local Facebook groups to meet like minded people.

Educate Yourself:

Take the time to educate yourself about nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits so that you can make informed choices and set yourself up for success.

There is a wealth of information available online full of ways to get started on a weight loss journey (this blog to start with!). But also in books, and through reputable sources that can help you learn about the principles of healthy eating, effective exercise strategies, and mindset techniques for weight loss.

Do remember to check you are getting your information from a reputable source, someone with education in health & not just anyone with an Instagram account that claims to have a “method”.

Practice Self-Compassion:

Be kind to yourself throughout your weight loss journey and practice self-compassion, especially when faced with setbacks or challenges. Remember that progress is not always linear, and it’s okay to have ups and downs along the way. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend, and don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned.

Focus on Non-Scale Victories:

Instead of obsessing over the number on the scale (mostly because scales don’t give a very accurate picture of your progress) focus on non-scale victories and celebrate the progress you’ve made, no matter how small.

Whether it’s feeling more energised, fitting into your favourite jeans, or noticing improvements in your mood and confidence. It’s important you celebrate every win along the way and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.

It all boils down to this, starting a weight loss journey can feel overwhelming and frustrating, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

By acknowledging your feelings, shifting your mindset, setting realistic expectations, starting small, seeking support, educating yourself, practising self-compassion, and focusing on non-scale victories, you can overcome overwhelm and frustration and start on your weight loss journey with confidence and clarity.

Remember that every step you take towards better health and well-being is a step in the right direction, and with the right long term habits, support & mindset, you can achieve your goals and transform your life for the better.

You’ve got this!

If you need more support starting your weight loss journey then you can learn more about health & weight loss coaching & how a Health Coach can help you lose weight for good in “Can a Health Coach Really Help You Lose Weight?”