Stupid Things We Say To Ourselves That Keep Us Fat

Weight loss isn’t easy, but it’s possible.

Losing weight improved my life. It’s made it easier to do the things I love to do. I fit into a kayak and I have the energy to paddle it.

I didn't fit in the "sit inside kayaks" and the "sit on top" kayaks are too wet! Losing weight made room for me and my dog!

I didn’t fit in the “sit inside kayaks” and the “sit on top” kayaks are too wet! Losing weight made room for me and my dog!

It’s easier to get on the floor to play with my grandchildren.

Weight control doesn't come naturally to me. I need to pay attention to my eating and physical activity to suppress my "survival genes AKA fat genes." Being able to pick up and run around with grandchildren make weight management more than worth it!

Weight control doesn’t come naturally to me. I need to pay attention to my eating and physical activity to suppress my “survival genes AKA fat genes.” Being able to pick up and run around with grandchildren make weight management more than worth it!

I reduced my risk of heart disease, type two diabetes, and some cancers. These are all reasons I’m glad I lost weight.

It almost didn’t happen. I had a habit of saying stupid things to myself.Screen Shot 2014-06-14 at 7.23.27 AM

I disabled myself by blaming people, circumstances and food for my choices that kept me fat. Sure, they were all minor players.  I didn’t realize how minor they really were until I decided that it was my job to lose weight.

Then I came to see that I was more than capable of getting to goal!

I didn’t think that I needed group support, and I thought accountability and humiliating weigh-ins would help me lose weight. I joined Weight Watchers and discovered weigh-ins were private and not humiliating and that the only person who mattered and to whom I was accountable was myself.

The biggest surprise was that group support wasn’t a bunch of people sitting around sharing stories about how unfair it is that we’re fat and have to lose weight in a world that’s out to get us. Group support was hearing how people took charge of their lives and actions and being successful!

Thanks to the Weight Watchers meeting environment I saw that I was strong enough to face any challenges that stood in my way.

As it turns out, the biggest challenge standing in my way was me.

Once I started to say smart things to myself, I got the power and confidence I needed to get to goal and stay there!

I turned those stupid things around to smart things to say to myself to keep me strong and confident! You can too!

 1. I don’t even know why I’m doing this. It never works.

I’m doing this because I want to live my life exactly the way I want to live it!

2. I can’t stick to my program. I’m hungry all the time and all I think about is food.

I can do this, if I’m really hungry I can eat and I can learn to recognize the difference.

3. I’m never going to be satisfied with teeny portions.

I can give up “treats” altogether or be satisfied with a small serving. I want to keep my treats!

4. I was so upset by (something or somebody) and I grabbed (a food) without thinking. Now I can’t get back on track.

Eating won’t make it better.

5. It doesn’t matter. I’ll still look fat, so why bother?

Losing weight matters to me and I’ll celebrate the changes I make in my body.

6. I’m an idiot. No wonder I’m fat.

My weight is not a reflection of my intelligence, but I can use my intelligence among other internal resources to reach my goal.

7. I’m a lazy slob. No wonder I’m fat.

It’s hard to be active because of my weight, but activity will help me make progress and it will become easier.

8. It’s in my genes. I can’t escape my hereditary.

Genetics does play a role in my weight, but I have the ability to suppress their influence with my eating and physical activity choices.

9. It’s just too hard and I don’t have the discipline or willpower.

I don’t need to be perfect; all I need to do is make progress.

10. It’s going to take forever. I need to get this weight off fast.

Good things will start to happen before I get to goal. This is a project worth taking all the time it needs.

Rest time! We just finished playing hard and I'm so happy I can keep up with them!

Rest time! We just finished playing hard and I’m so happy I can keep up with them!

Those were the 10 stupid things I said most often to myself and the smart words of encouragement I used instead of defeating myself with negative self-talk. Please feel free to share any stupid things you use to say yourself and how you turned them around to be smart words of encouragement in the comments section below!

 

Jackie Conn

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. She is a Weight Watchers success story. She's a weight loss expert with 25 years of experience guiding women and men to their weight-related goals. Her articles on weight management have been published in health, family and women's magazines. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news, FOX network morning program Good Day Maine and 207 on WCSH.