Why This Question Got Me Thinking
So I was browsing r/loseit the other day, and I came across a question that really stuck with me: “What’s something you stopped doing that actually helped you lose weight?” It’s funny, right? We’re constantly bombarded with advice about what we should be doing to shed pounds – eat this, try that workout, track everything. But this post flipped the script. It made me realize that sometimes, the most effective changes come from ditching habits that are holding us back.
The person who posted it mentioned things like obsessing over the scale and skipping breakfast. And the comments? They were gold. People shared all sorts of things they stopped doing, from crazy restrictive diets to beating themselves up over slip-ups. It was a refreshing reminder that weight loss isn’t just about adding more to your plate (literally and figuratively). It’s also about taking away the things that are stressing you out or simply not working. This isn't about adding another kale smoothie to your diet, it's about reflecting on the bad habits and behaviors that you need to actively work to remove.
It also made me think about how much pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect. We feel like we have to follow every single rule and restriction, or we’re going to fail. But the truth is, sustainable weight loss is about finding what works for you, and sometimes that means breaking the rules. What if the most important thing you could do for your weight loss journey was to stop striving for perfection and just be a little kinder to yourself?
Ditching the Diet Mentality
One of the biggest things I saw people mentioning in the Reddit thread was the diet mentality. You know, that all-or-nothing mindset where you’re either “on” a diet or “off” a diet. And when you’re “on,” you’re following a super restrictive set of rules that are completely unsustainable in the long run. Someone in the comments said they stopped thinking of foods as “good” or “bad” and started focusing on balance.
Here's the thing: diets are designed to be temporary. They're not meant to be a way of life. And when you treat food as the enemy, you're setting yourself up for a cycle of restriction, cravings, and guilt. It becomes a mental battle, not a journey towards a healthier lifestyle. This is something I see all the time, people will restrict themselves to some crazy diet of only eating cucumbers and celery and they'll lose weight initially. Of course they do! They're barely eating anything. But the second they start eating real food again they pack all the weight back on plus more.
Instead of dieting, try focusing on making small, sustainable changes to your eating habits. Instead of cutting out entire food groups, focus on adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. And instead of feeling guilty when you indulge in a treat, enjoy it and move on. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. Stop labeling food as the enemy and start viewing it as fuel for your body.
Stop Obsessing Over the Scale
This one came up a lot in the Reddit thread, and it’s something I can definitely relate to. Weighing yourself every day (or even multiple times a day) can be incredibly stressful and discouraging. The scale doesn't tell the whole story. It doesn't account for water retention, muscle gain, or hormonal fluctuations. It just gives you a number, and that number can have a huge impact on your mood and motivation.
One commenter mentioned they stopped weighing themselves daily and only weighed themselves once a week. They said it made a huge difference in their mental health and helped them focus on other measures of progress, like how their clothes fit and how they felt. That's really important. You could have lost fat and gained muscle, but the scale may not move at all!
If you’re constantly obsessing over the scale, it might be time to break up with it. You don’t have to throw it away completely, but try limiting yourself to weighing yourself once a week or even once a month. And when you do weigh yourself, remember that it’s just one data point. Don’t let it define your entire day or your entire weight loss journey. There are much better metrics to look at such as body measurements, progress pictures, and energy levels.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
In the age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. You see someone’s “perfect” body on Instagram or their “perfect” meal prep on Facebook, and you start to feel like you’re not doing enough. But here’s the thing: social media is a highlight reel. People only show you what they want you to see. You're not seeing the struggles, the setbacks, or the bad days.
Someone in the Reddit thread said they stopped following fitness influencers who made them feel bad about themselves. They started focusing on their own journey and celebrating their own progress, no matter how small. This is absolutely crucial. Your weight loss journey is unique to you. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s okay. Don't let someone else's success story invalidate your own efforts.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Celebrate your own accomplishments, and be proud of how far you’ve come. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small. Unfollow the Instagram accounts that make you feel bad and focus on finding accounts that inspire you and give you realistic expectations.
Stop Skipping Meals (Especially Breakfast!)
This might seem counterintuitive, but skipping meals can actually sabotage your weight loss efforts. When you skip meals, your body goes into starvation mode. It starts conserving energy and storing fat, which makes it harder to lose weight. Plus, you’re more likely to overeat later in the day.
Several people in the Reddit thread mentioned they stopped skipping breakfast and started eating a balanced meal in the morning. They said it helped them feel more energized throughout the day and reduced their cravings for unhealthy snacks. It makes perfect sense! If you skip breakfast, you're already starting the day in a deficit. You're going to be starving by lunchtime, and you're much more likely to grab whatever's convenient, which is usually not the healthiest option.
Try to make time for a healthy breakfast every day. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A simple bowl of oatmeal with fruit and nuts, or a protein smoothie, can make a big difference. The same goes for lunch and dinner. Aim for balanced meals that include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. It may sound complicated, but you can cook all three meals for the day in just a couple of hours on the weekend and meal prep like a professional.
The Reality Nobody Talks About: Plateaus and Setbacks
Let's be real, weight loss isn't always a linear journey. There will be plateaus, setbacks, and days when you just don't feel like it. It's easy to get discouraged when you hit a plateau, but it's important to remember that it's a normal part of the process. Your body is adapting to the changes you're making, and it might take some time to adjust.
One commenter said they stopped giving up when they hit a plateau. They realized that it was just a temporary setback and that they needed to keep going. This is key! Don't let a plateau derail your entire progress. Instead, use it as an opportunity to re-evaluate your strategy. Maybe you need to adjust your calorie intake, change up your workout routine, or focus on getting more sleep. It is important to analyze this rationally and not emotionally.
Setbacks are also inevitable. You might have a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad month. You might slip up and eat something you weren't supposed to, or you might miss a few workouts. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on. One bad day doesn't erase all the progress you've made.
Stop Thinking You Need to Do Crazy Intense Workouts
You don't need to spend hours at the gym doing grueling workouts to lose weight. In fact, sometimes those types of workouts can do more harm than good. They can lead to burnout, injuries, and a general dislike of exercise. And if you hate working out, you're not going to stick with it for the long haul.
Someone in the Reddit thread mentioned they stopped doing super intense workouts they hated and started focusing on activities they enjoyed. They said it made exercise feel less like a chore and more like a fun part of their day. This is so important! Find activities that you genuinely enjoy, whether it's dancing, hiking, swimming, or playing a sport.
You don't even need to go to the gym. You can get a great workout at home with bodyweight exercises, like push-ups, squats, and lunges. Or you can go for a walk, a bike ride, or a run. The key is to find something you enjoy and that you can do consistently. A simple walk after dinner is great exercise. Plus, there's plenty of free workout content available online.
Actually Putting This Into Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide
Okay, so how do you actually put all of this into practice? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you stop doing the things that are holding you back and start making real progress.
- Identify your problem areas: What are the things you're doing that are sabotaging your weight loss efforts? Are you dieting? Obsessing over the scale? Comparing yourself to others? Skipping meals? Doing workouts you hate? Write them down.
- Create a plan: Once you've identified your problem areas, create a plan to address them. If you're dieting, commit to ditching the diet mentality and focusing on sustainable changes. If you're obsessing over the scale, limit yourself to weighing yourself once a week. If you're comparing yourself to others, unfollow the accounts that make you feel bad.
- Start small: Don't try to change everything at once. Start with one or two changes and gradually add more as you feel comfortable. Trying to do too much too soon can be overwhelming and can lead to burnout.
- Be patient: It takes time to break old habits and form new ones. Don't get discouraged if you slip up or don't see results right away. Just keep going and trust the process.
- Celebrate your progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Reward yourself for reaching milestones, whether it's losing a certain amount of weight, fitting into a smaller size, or simply feeling more confident.
My Take on All This: It's About Finding What Works for You
So, here’s what I think after diving into that Reddit thread and reflecting on my own experiences: weight loss is a personal journey. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person might not work for another. And that's okay. The most important thing is to find what works for you and to be patient with yourself along the way.
Don't get caught up in the latest trends or the "perfect" diet. Instead, focus on making small, sustainable changes that you can stick with for the long haul. Stop doing the things that are stressing you out or making you feel bad about yourself. And remember, it's not just about the number on the scale. It's about feeling good, being healthy, and living a life you enjoy.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe that weight loss is more about mindset than anything else. If you can shift your focus from restriction to abundance, from comparison to self-compassion, and from perfection to progress, you'll be well on your way to reaching your goals. And who knows, maybe the most important thing you can do is to simply stop trying so hard. Just relax, enjoy the process, and trust that you'll get there eventually.