Finding weight loss through new perspectives

The scale used to be the only thing that mattered when I was dieting. Pounds lost were signs of progress, pounds gained triggered stress and self-doubt. This constant focus on the numbers was emotionally draining. Then I was introduced to intermittent fasting, and right away it just clicked. 

I started intermittent fasting with a certainty that it would lead to weight loss. This gave me space to shift my focus. I loosened the need to control everything, which let me explore different perspectives. I won’t say the self-pressure to lose weight completely disappeared, but by being open to changing my thoughts and beliefs, the journey became easier. 

To begin, instead of viewing intermittent fasting as being restrictive or depriving, I thought of it as postponing what I wanted until my window opened. This gave me the time to pay more attention to how different foods made me feel. A glazed donut might have the same number of calories as two eggs on toast, but the eggs on toast satisfied me, while the donut left me wanting more. Like Dr. Jason Fung says, “100 calories of cookies are more likely to lead to weight gain than 100 calories of broccoli.“

Another change I needed to make was to my emotional attachment to the numbers on the scale. In the past, seeing any weight gain while dieting completely undermined my motivation to continue. So I switched the scale from kilograms to pounds so that the numbers became meaningless data points. It was a simple change, and it helped me focus on how I felt, not the number on the display.

By working on my body image, I gained a new perspective on body fat. It’s just stored energy, and with intermittent fasting, I learned my body can more efficiently access that energy. Framing it this way helped me detach from the negativity surrounding body fat. It also motivated me during my fasting hours as I could visualize the fat being used in a way that supported my goals.

To let go of more negativity, I reframed past experiences with my weight loss attempts. They helped me understand what wouldn’t work for me, to appreciate health benefits beyond weight loss, and to look for all the non-scale victories I was achieving. Intermittent fasting is a way to give my body a break. My focus shifted from the dream goal of dropping numbers on the scale to being happy not to be gaining any more.

These changes in perspective were about making small tweaks which resulted in major differences. Maybe you’re feeling stuck too. Ask yourself: what are you focusing on? Are the numbers on the scale a source of stress, or can you find a different way to measure progress?

The bottom line is this: If your current approach to weight loss feels like punishment, it’s time to change your perspective. Focus on the process, find methods you enjoy, and celebrate the positive changes you’re making for your health.