If you’re struggling with your weight, there have never been more weight loss programs available to you. Having spoken to a lot of women recently about the choices available, I wanted to share my advice about what you should consider when you make your decision.
Like you, I faced this decision 5 years ago, having tried and failed to get in shape multiple times before. And since then, I’ve used my personal experience to create the simplest, most sustainable weight loss program to get you back to feeling confident and in control.
And here’s the thing… the things I considered 5 years ago when I decided to transform once-and-for-all are EXACTLY the same now as they were then. Even with ozempic, mounjaro and all the other weight loss treatments now available (read to the end for my thoughts on these…they might surprise you!).
So if you’re thinking of having a push on your fitness, health and weight for the Summer, here’s some helpful pointers about how to decide what to do (and what not to do)…
How to lose weight
The first thing that’s important to acknowledge is just how confusing weight loss can seem. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with multiple experts telling you contradictory advice knowing who to trust is hard. That’s why I’ve stripped the process back for you, to 5 simple questions to ask yourself as you’re making your choice.
1. Am I protecting my metabolism?
Your metabolism is that little fire within you, burning the energy you consume, powering your body to do its amazing thing every day. And a major source of your metabolism is your muscle mass. And there’s a simple equation when it comes to metabolism and muscle mass…
MORE = BETTER!
More muscle, more metabolism, means you’ll feel better, move better, sleep better, perform better and burn fat faster.
Less muscle, lower metabolism, means your body needs less fuel every day, you’ll feel sluggish, weak, pretty crappy overall and burn fat slower.
So if your pre-Summer plan doesn’t involve resistance training, protein and a healthy dose of knowledge about how to build lean muscle mass, you’re 100% going to lose muscle. You might lose weight overall, but it’s not all good weight. What you’re actually doing is hammering your metabolism (by losing muscle) and setting yourself up perfectly for a post-summer yo-yo.
sleep better, perform better and burn fat faster.
2. Am I boosting my health?
For most of us, health is intangible. We take it for granted everyday…until we don’t have it. Then we regret not doing more to look after it. In its most general terms, good health is linked to eating a balanced, nutritious diet, moving more and looking after ourselves.
Anything you do on your health kick, should be ticking the basic health boxes. If it’s not, whilst losing weight, you’re also very likely damaging your overall health.
3. Am I setting a good example for my kids?
One of the things I’m most proud of with my transformation, is the role model I can now be for my 3 kids. Of course, I was still a role model before but showing them how to eat well, how to enjoy indulgences guilt-free and how to cherish their bodies with daily movement is truly a blessing.
I want to set a good example and show them through my actions how they can be healthy. These are life skills that will serve them and their children in years to come. But it wasn’t always this way for me. When the kids were younger there were weird fad-diets (cabbage soup diet anyone?), diet pills and total food restriction. Family meals where everyone else would eat apart from me, as I made up excuses to the kids why I wasn’t joining in. I feel embarrassed looking back on it.
The simplest role model test you can apply to any diet or weight loss plan, is would I want my kids to do it? If it’s not good enough for them, then it’s definitely not good enough for me or you either.
4. Am I going to maintain this?
Our health, weight and wellness will always ebb and flow. This is a totally normal part of life. But huge swings and ‘on-off’ behaviours are bad for your body and even worse for your sanity.
It might not be sexy, but it really is a marathon not a sprint when it comes to weight loss, body re-compositions and transformations. Especially if you want to lose weight during menopause or perimenopause. Finding a pace that works for you, and you can maintain is a game changer.
If your weight loss program feels like a white-knuckle ride, I guarantee that you’ll maintain it for 2 – 3 months tops. Then you’re going to fall off and likely yo-yo. It’s a miserable cycle we’ve probably all been on.
5. Is this good for my soul?
I used to think that losing weight was about physically transforming my body. All I wanted to see was a change on the scale and in the mirror. It’s only when you flick the switch that you realise the real shift is mental. True transformation starts with your habits and your mindset.
Only once you’ve done this, does a lasting physical change happen. This is also when the biggest feel good factor kicks in. Your confidence soars and you’re able to perform at a totally different level. And every fad diet you do is the exact opposite of this. It’s eats away at your soul, steals some confidence and shreds your self-worth.
You’re worth so much more than this. So rather than chasing a quick win through some bizarre fad or hack, do something that nurtures your soul and lifts you up.
You're Worth It...
So there you have it. 5 questions to ask yourself before you try to lose weight. Unless you’re getting 5 emphatic ‘YES’ answers, then maybe you’re not placing enough value on your body, your health and your self worth.
Because, as someone once famously said, you’re worth it.
Will Weight Loss Injections Work For Me?
Oh and I promised my views on weight loss drugs…
For some people, especially those with comorbidities, there is clear need and robust evidence that supports the use of weight loss drug prescription. I still worry about an approach that is medication-only without lifestyle change, but overall, there’s undoubtably a role for meds here. It’s an incredible scientific innovation we should celebrate.
As for more widespread, ‘lifestyle’ use without lifestyle change, my worry is that weight-loss drugs fail ALL of the tests above.
Do they protect your metabolism?
No. You’ll lose muscle when you lose weight. Your metabolism will drop and when you come off the drugs, then you’ll likely yo-yo. It’s just like every fad diet you’ve ever done.
Do they boost your health?
On balance for me this is a no. They crash your appetite, making it less likely you’ll eat a balanced diet plus there’s no habit change or increase in exercise. Yes your weight will drop, but it’s effective no different to that cabbage soup diet.
Am I setting a good example for my kids?
Erm, injecting yourself every week…to make you not eat?? Nuff said…
Am I going to maintain this? No. There’s no change in habits or mindset – they’re just being masked by the drugs. When the drugs stop, your old appetite and behaviours return. Plus, you’ve now got less muscle mass which likely means…yo-yo!
Is this good for my soul?
Maybe this is where I’m biased, but for me it’s a definite no. Whatever short-term pop you get from weight loss injections, personally I think it’s at the expense of your soul. I’m still to be convinced that anything that’s truly nurturing, comes via a needle.
The Power of Lifestyle Change with Weight Loss Injections
It’s why we’re support more and more women who are following a medicated weight loss prescription AND changing their lifestyle with an It’s So Simple program. Our programs make sure you’re eating a balanced diet even when your appetite crashes following the injections. Crucially, our carefully calibrated programs protect your precious metabolism so you’re losing body fat, and not lean muscle.
But most importantly, we help clients shift their mental patterns associated with food, exercise and what a healthy lifestyle means for them. Why not book a call to find out how this could work for you?
