If you are struggling to lose weight or maintain your ideal weight, you may find yourself feeling stressed, impatient, frustrated, and on the brink of giving up on your efforts. But you have probably noticed that the more you feel stressed and anxious about food, health, and fitness, the more you find yourself struggling. This is because stress can hinder your ability to maintain a healthy weight or prevent you from losing it. Acknowledge this fact and make a gentle commitment to yourself to relax, self-soothe, and center your attention on the progress you are making each day, even if it is not noticeable. The positive thoughts you choose to place in your mind each day will eventually translate into positive changes in your body.

When weight loss stalls or becomes difficult, consider examining your life. Without judgment, notice what else might be going on for you. External factors, circumstances, and emotional states may send your body into a fight-or-flight mode, making it produce higher levels of stress hormones…and slowing down your progress. There is no need to blame yourself for what your body is doing to protect you from perceived threats. Instead, consider helping it by soothing your nervous system and letting go of stress. Surrender to the process and trust that your body will find its way back to a weight that feels comfortable to you.