5 Common Obstacles to Losing Weight (& How to Overcome Them)

Weight loss is no easy feat. Whether you’re trying to lose 5 pounds or 50, it can be a challenge. But I don’t want that to discourage you. Instead, I’m going to help empower you to keep going on your journey with five important tips to overcoming your weight loss obstacles. Today, I’m outlining all of the most common hurdles I see people face when they’re on their weight loss journey, and solutions to overcome them with confidence. Anytime you’re feeling discouraged, come back to this list and see where you can improve. You got this!

5 of the Most Common Weight Loss Obstacles (With Solution!)

It’s no surprise that women (and men!) can struggle to lose weight. And I won’t downplay it, it’s no easy feat if you’re making these common mistakes. Luckily, I have some solutions for you.

1. Scarcity Mindset

If you’ve never heard of the term scarcity mindset, here’s what it is: the belief that because someone else has something you want, or has achieved something you want, then you can’t or won’t have or achieve it too. If you’ve ever been jealous of a friend or family member for losing weight, this can stem from a scarcity mindset. Instead, you need to flip the narrative and think “If they can, so can I!” Start by speaking kindly to yourself, encouraging yourself when you overcome hard things, and hyping yourself up when you’re feeling down. Mindset is the key to success in anything, so don’t overlook this important aspect of weight loss.

2. Cheat Meals

The moment you start looking at food as good or bad, and start having “normal” versus cheat meals, you’re dooming yourself. Instead, try to start looking at food in a way that separates items not by value, but by nourishment. I have clients keep a food log, but instead of focusing on the food they eat, I have them focus on how they felt afterwards. Then, you can take a look at what makes you feel energized and content, versus irritable and unsatisfied. Give it a try, and see how your view of food completely shifts.

3. Unclear Goals

This is a big one. If you are on a weight loss journey, you need to get clear on your goals. And I’m sorry, but wanting to lose 10 pounds isn’t a goal. Here is an example of a crystal clear goal: I want to start going to the gym three times per week, cooking at least 5 days worth of meals at home, and go for a walk after lunch everyday. That is a clear goal. The outcome might be losing five pounds, or you might lose fifteen! What matters is you create clear goals, and then the positive side effects of those goals are the reward.

4. Too Many Or Too Little Boundaries

On another note about goals, you don’t want to get too strict with yourself to the point that you can’t uphold your end of the deal. Using the example above, a goal that could be too restricting would have been: I want to start going to the gym every single day, cook all of my meals at home, and go for an hour-long walk every afternoon. On the flip side, having no goal is a slippery slope too. So, the bottom line is to give yourself enough wiggle room to be successful, and enough boundaries that you’re not clueless on where to start.

5. Find Community

You don’t need to have five thousand people pepping you up each morning, but sharing your goals with even one important person in your life can help make a difference. They don’t necessarily need to hold you accountable for your goals, but I guarantee they will naturally ask how it’s going, and probably notice your progress on their own since you shared your goals with them. This can be a partner, a friend, a family member, or even the amazing SkinnyFit community! I’m always blown away at how supportive the women in the facebook group are with each other. If you need some serious female empowerment for your weight loss journey, the SkinnyFit facebook group is the place for you!