A popular claim is that everything starts in the mind. This means that the way we feel, look and even behave depends on the way we think. This is also confirmed by science. A certain way of thinking, i.e. the right attitude, facilitates success in practically every area of life. This applies to communicating with a partner, raising children, working professionally and also - losing weight. Of course, the most important thing in restoring and maintaining a healthy body weight is a proper diet and physical activity. However, a certain attitude, or approach, is needed to put the desired behaviour into action. There are many reasons why the approach to weight loss may not be appropriate: insufficient or false knowledge, unpleasant experiences, negative emotions resulting from, for example, prejudices or being under long-term stress. Beliefs most often take the form of assertions, which may be spoken aloud, present only as thoughts, or hidden in unconscious areas of the psyche. Positive beliefs improve mood, give energy, motivate and direct action. In this way, they give weight loss a chance to be effective, i.e. sustainable and beneficial to health.

I have control over how much I weigh

Beliefs about the causes of a situation largely determine the motivation to act. Many overweight people tend to blame factors beyond their control - genes, hormones, abnormal metabolism or stress. Thus, the conviction to change their own weight is very weak in these people. This results in a search for an external solution - a miracle drug, a magic formula, hypnosis or a specific treatment. Meanwhile, research shows that only 5% of obesity cases have their origin in a dysfunctional body (e.g. hypothyroidism) and require pharmacological intervention. The remaining 95% of cases are due to inappropriate lifestyles and the only effective way to change the situation is to change existing, unfavourable habits. If medical examinations do not confirm any disease changes in the body that cause weight gain, it is worth taking a look at one's own beliefs about the causes of overweight and working on them. These beliefs have a direct impact on behaviour. It is primarily about sayings, proverbs or family messages about food, appearance and obesity. Do they encourage a healthy lifestyle? Do they convey the possibility of people influencing and directing their lives? Or do they promote other values and agendas? It is worth identifying rationally and honestly to what extent we have influence over our lives and make appropriate changes there, and what area is actually beyond our influence. Reflecting on this often leads to somewhat different conclusions than one might initially think.

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I like myself and want to take care of myself

The vast majority of people who intend to lose weight think of themselves - and especially their own appearance - very negatively. When they hear the suggestion that they need to accept themselves, they associate this with self-loathing and a lack of motivation to lose weight. However, in addition to the extremes of self-hatred and self-loathing, there is a so-called golden mean. It is self-awareness, i.e. knowing both one's qualities and the qualities and behaviours worth changing in oneself. Negating oneself in general causes discouragement and depression and demotivates action. Rational discernment of strengths and weaknesses, on the other hand, encourages the desired changes and makes one aware of the resources at one's disposal. A constructive attitude towards self and weight loss is reminiscent of a wise parent who, when raising a child, combines kindness, care and reward with clearly defined rules and requirements. Despite great love, he or she does not agree to the child's every whim, dispensing duties and pleasures in a specific way, with the child's welfare and development in mind. It is worth examining beliefs about yourself and replacing the negative ones with more empowering ones. Losing weight does not have to resemble a war, it can be the beginning of a beautiful journey in interesting company - yourself.