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Writer's pictureAmanda Clark

Why Long Term Weight Loss Is Impossible Without Self-Awareness and How to Improve It

"With awareness there comes choice." — Eckhart Tolle"With awareness there comes choice." — Eckhart Tolle

If you set a resolution for 2022, then there's a good chance it had something to do with losing weight or getting healthier, since those are the most commonly set goals for any new year.


And marketers are well aware of this fact, which you may have noticed. 🙄


There are so many "top secrets" being sold as the key to weight loss it's hard to keep track:

  • Ketones

  • Macros

  • Fasting

  • Shakes

  • Juicing

  • Eating "clean"

  • Removing "toxins"

  • Eating for your blood type

  • Going vegan, raw, carnivore

😫😫😫😫😫😫


I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted just reading that list.


So, let me do you a favor and let you in on a little secret...

NONE of those things matter.

Because they're all just short term strategies that never address the root of why you gained weight in the first place.


So, if you want to lose weight and keep it off for good, the real secret is,

👉 Building self-awareness.

Being self-aware means that you can see yourself clearly and objectively.


It's the ability to examine your thoughts, emotions and behaviors as if you are a separate, third party, observer.


Without self-awareness we exist on "auto-pilot" and are completely blind to the habits that negatively impact our lives and keep us from reaching our goals.


It's the reason we,


"Don't know why we just can't stop eating sugar."

OR

"For some reason never have any energy."

OR

"Just don't understand why we aren't losing weight, when we eat SO healthy!"


Now you might be thinking, "Not me, I'm totally self-aware!"

But according to a 5 year Harvard research study, although 95% of people think they’re self-aware, only 10 to 15% actually are. 😬

 

Self-awareness is like great sex: everyone thinks they have a ton of it, but in reality no one knows what the f*** they’re doing. — Mark Manson

 

So then,

How do you build more self-awareness so that you can finally create healthy habits that last?


Here are 5 ways you can start improving your self-awareness today:


1) Practice mindfulness


We often lack self-awareness because we’re overthinking and going down the rabbit hole with our (generally negative, non-productive) thoughts.


A mindfulness meditation practice can help open your eyes to how the thinking mind works and reinforce the idea that you are not your thoughts.

2) Take a different view


Comparing your own thoughts and feelings to someone else’s can help challenge biases and shine a light on old beliefs that are no longer serving you.


Intentionally seek out perspectives that are different than yours through books, articles and in person.

3) Notice your triggers

Often the things that irritate us the most in other people are a reflection of some quality we dislike in ourselves.


So, whenever someone does something that seems to be particularly annoying or irritating to you, ask yourself: Could this be a reflection of something in me that I dislike? Do I do some version of that?


4) Ask for feedback


If you really want to improve your self-awareness, you’ll need other opinions.


Deliberately seek out feedback from someone close to you who's willing to bring attention to your flaws.


Notice how this constructive criticism makes you feel. If you find yourself getting defensive, chances are they hit on something you've been avoiding being honest with yourself about.


5) Write


Writing allows you to identify and clarify your thoughts and feelings.


It can help you discover what you want, what you value, and what works for you as well as help you uncover unhelpful patterns.

You can write at length about how you feel or simply joint down bullet points. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

 

When it comes to weight loss, gaining self-awareness is essential.

Without it, changing the habits that led to your weight gain will be next to impossible.


But with it, the power is in your hands and you can finally go from "auto-pilot" mode to a place where you are able to CHOOSE the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that support the healthy lifestyle you desire.


What are YOU going to do to improve your self-awareness today?


 

And if you want to get out of "auto-pilot" mode and step into a place of personal power, then book in a call HERE so that we can have a chat about which one of my coaching programs would be the best fit for you.


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