Weight Loss isn’t a Goal

Weight loss isn’t the goal. It is an outcome.

I have helped hundreds of people lose weight, from 10 to over 100 lbs, and most importantly, keep it off. What the successful losers have confirmed for me is that weight loss isn’t the goal.

You might disagree, but let me explain.

After years of helping people change their habits, health and their weight, I have learned that there is one secret of the successful losers. By successful, I mean the people who don’t regain their weight.

First, let’s look at diets.

Any diet will work. This has been reinforced in a number of recent studies including,

The DIETFITS study that resulted in no significant difference between the low fat to low carbohydrates when it comes to weight loss.

5:2 Fasting reduces body weight by 5% after two months.

A Canadian study (sponsored by Barilla) shows that eating pasta can be part of a weight loss plan.

These studies prove only one thing.

Eat less and you will lose weight. All diets work. In the short term. Let me repeat that.

If weight loss is your only goal. Any diet will work. It doesn’t matter what you eat only that you eat less.

There is one problem with this strategy.

Weight Loss isn’t the Goal.

Second, this is what I experience regularly.

Someone contacts me about losing weight. They have an event to prepare for and they want to lose weight. It could be a wedding, reunion, party, race, holiday, it doesn’t matter. Sporting or family event. There is an upcoming date and this is the reason they have decided to lose weight.

I also want to be clear that it doesn’t matter to me why you want to lose weight. Your motivation is personal, whatever inspires you is the best reason, but I also think that weight loss shouldn’t be the goal.

Weight loss is the outcome.

Weight loss isn’t the right goal if you want to keep the weight off.

Third, I can help you lose weight. Eating a whole foods, plant-based diet is one of the easiest ways to lose weight. Vegetables are full of fiber, nutrients and water. This makes them filling and makes eating fewer calories while still eating enough to feel satisfied easier than many other diets.

The good news is that eating a whole foods, plant-based diet is also the healthiest way to eat. Not only do you look better, you feel better, your health improves, your performance improves. Another outcome of trying a plant-based diet is that you feel good and you lose weight. This makes it much easier to stick with it.

Another thing I experience regularly are comments like these,

“All that was required of me was a commitment. After losing just over 45 lbs this year, and on target for another few pounds, I look better and feel great with the only downside being I have to re-outfit my wardrobe.”

“I have successfully maintained a 60lb weight loss for 6 years plus now, due to following those initial guidelines for menus and fitness. Thanks!”

“This is a lifestyle change I will definitely adopt permanently”

These sound like successful weight loss stories. They are, but there is one key difference between these people and the ones that struggle with their weight.

Weight loss wasn’t the primary goal.

Weight loss was an outcome and it happened while they were making changes. Their goals included:

• To be healthy for my retirement and my grandchildren.
• I want to prevent lifestyle disease and improve my health.
• Be fit, strong and be a role model for my family.

 

Even Weight Watchers, the most successful weight loss company, is getting out of the weight loss business and getting into the lifestyle business. While this mostly a re-branding, they too understand that weight loss as a goal is not a sustainable business when compared to being in the business of helping people adopt healthy habits.

What I have learned about permanent, sustainable, healthy weight loss is that it is an outcome of changing your habits. Everyone has the ability to change and will change if the goal is appealing, if it is important. Then change becomes a process, not a quick fix.

My advice to you if you want to lose weight, choose the right goal. Choose a long term goal, not a moment or an event. Not even an outcome. The goal that requires you to live healthier, and be healthy. This is not a short-term restriction, but a lifetime of fulfilment. Trust me, you will lose weight and you will also keep it off, because that is what you really want.

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla

PS If have a goal that motivates you to change your habits. If you want the results of healthy lifestyle change, including weight loss, join one of the Plant Based Performance Plan.  You can join the next program, don’t wait, it starts soon.