"If you haven't got the mindset right, you've got nothing" - A guest blog by Lindsey Wanless


I received a message from Aimee asking if I would write a guest post for her blog on the mental side of my journey of weight loss. At first I thought I don't know what she means... Mental side? Of weight loss? I never thought of weight loss as challenging you mentally but the days that followed Aimee asking me, I soon realised it was definitely a mental challenge more than a physical one the more I thought about it.

I've lost 7 and a half stone over the course of a year going from 20 stone down to 12 and a half stone dropping from a  size 22 to a 12.

Thinking about the main mental challenges I faced throughout my year I've had a lot of support but also criticism of my journey, which to me was the main mental side of my journey... Keeping focused even when facing negativity and criticism of the diet and exercise regime you are following which I did not expect to receive when people were also negative of my bad eating habits prior to this

I've overcome anything negative that is said by using this as ammunition in the gym, this is my body, my life and to me it's a healthier life, what can be so wrong about eating healthy and getting fit and staying that way?

Everyday waking up at 4:45am to prepare for my 5:45am class is mentally challenging in itself, you really need a strong mindset to get up and out the door when half your body is still in bed but half of you is out the door ...

As well as the tiredness of doing this whilst working full time with a 4 year old I've also had to overcome body confidence issues. When you've been a big girl for a long time you instantly still head to the bigger sizes in the store, you still want to cover up and you are still that unconfident quiet person inside although people expect more from you. They see you posing with your new figure and tell you to show it off... But they don't realise just because you have a new look does not give you all the confidence in the world ... You need to build it up... Just like muscle .. Only it takes a lot longer ...

I would say it's only recently that I feel my confidence is climbing I'm finally starting to be a more confident person, not covering up completely, enjoying clothes shopping, and starting to enjoy the new me.... Because that's effectively what has happened to me.. I'm a new person.. Same personality but different outlook on life. Completely different mindset.

I've always kept the same mindset throughout my journey, I've never waivered and that is what I believe has led me to my successful weight loss and keeping the mentality of "I can do this.. Don't give up when you've come this far"...

Do I see myself as a strong person? Not really... Maybe mentally yes to get this far and keep going even with negative support at times... Do I feel proud? Well not really because I'm still not where I want to be (which is another mental issue as most people think I look fine the way I look now ... But they aren't me in my head) ...

So there's me thinking that a weight loss journey isn't a mental journey... It really is... If you haven't got the mindset right you've got nothing ...and like anything else in life everything is all one mental journey ... But we can change our journeys in the blink of an eye... I just woke up one day and decided enough was enough I was going to change my life for the better... And anyone that's reading this if you are feeling like I was... Miserable all the time, hated going out, felt unsociable, unconfident ... Don't be like me, do something about it today, it's all in our heads... Only you can make a real difference to your life 😊 whether you be suffering with weight issues, depression, low self esteem etc just do it we only have one life ... Live it! X

PS: Anyone is free to message me if you want to chat, you can see my personal journey on my Facebook page and my ongoing journey with health and fitness to achieve my goal


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