The Mindset of Losing Weight
How I lost 30 kg (66 lbs) in 7 months, and what it taught me about myself
Where is my starting point?
I’m Marcelino, 25 years old, and about to graduate. That is not the interesting part, though. I feel terrible.
- I drink frequently
- I don’t work out at all
- I avoid physical activity in general
- I have no control over my nutritional habits
- I’m not confident in areas a 25-year-old man should be
- I don’t like what I see in a mirror
- I don’t like being in photos
I weigh 110 kg (242.5 lbs) and have always been on the heavier side. I felt insecure about my weight as a child and as an adolescent, especially. Being honest, it wasn’t the number on the scale. It was just that I didn’t like how my body looked.
I made a little effort from time to time, skipping a few meals or going for an excruciating jog, but nothing really seemed to work. I know now why it didn’t and why it couldn’t have ever worked out for me without the proper mindset.
Where is your starting point? It’s unlikely for you to be exactly in my shoes. But since you're reading this story, you probably struggle with your weight and health in general. I feel you.
Planning it out
Nutrition is a big part of losing weight — getting in shape is the better term. It took a whole month to prepare the effort. In terms of nutrition, every source you‘ll read will indicate that the most important part is being in a caloric deficit.
A crucial part of my journey was adjusting my protein intake to 1. gain more muscle mass (that burns more calories as a byproduct) and 2. to retain pre-existing muscle mass while losing actual bodyweight.
Lastly, the workout routine. I learned a lot of basics about compound movements like squats, deadlifts, push-ups, or pull-ups. Sources you can check out are Starting Strenght or Stronglifts 5x5, which I used.
Fast forward to the result; the routine you choose is not the point. It’s not as important as you might think, trust me for the moment. Almost anything will work if you start and keep making an effort. Some interesting thoughts crossed my mind along the way.
What was the problem? The real Problem…
Working out just worked out — no pun intended. I did my routine consistently and had amazing results. Within just 3 months, I tripled the weight I could squat.
I struggled with nutrition, though. A lot of people start torturing themselves, counting calories, and just skipping entire meals. After the first couple of months, it’ll get better.
I started cooking, experimenting with healthy and nutritious alternatives for noodles and bread. A key factor of my success was intermittent fasting! I’ll write a story about it in the future since it just worked wonders for me.
But let us finally talk about the real problem — I seemingly never learned how to take care of myself. I was unorganized, lazy, and oftentimes content with a suboptimal status quo.
I preferred being in a bearable situation than actually making an effort.
My relationship was not what it could have been, but I just kept going. Things were tolerable in my life. My grades were ok, at best. At work, I did just enough to not blatantly suck at whatever job I had to afford my studies and living. I drank way too much but not as much as being perceived as an alcoholic.
I had enough control, barely not completely, to derail. Most importantly, I avoided being in challenges or situations, physically or mentally.
Do you find yourself in such a condition? Being overweight is merely a byproduct of underlying issues. It can be stress, lack of discipline, most likely a combination of several issues you carry around.
The terrors of being trapped in the comfort zone
To sum it up, we overweight and undisciplined folk prefer being in that ominous space of safety and degeneration most of our life and accepted being an inferior version of ourselves.
So the programming must begin. I couldn’t accept myself anymore; never would I be ashamed to avoid something unpleasant — like being hungry or not surrendering to a craving.
“I am enduring temporary sufferings to fulfill my dearest dreams.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita
I started referring to myself as fat. Saying no was a powerful tool whenever friends and family challenged my newly discovered determination. I ate well consistently, avoiding sweets, sugary drinks, and “bad foods.”
Picture a goal, whatever it is. There is only one thing standing between your goal and you now. It is time.
Determine where you should invest this time. Which actions are necessary to reach this goal? Pay with the time that is perhaps not pleasantly spent. Don’t settle for instant gratification like the joy of your favorite fast food after your workout.
It’s not worth it; postpone your joy and think about what the future will inevitably look like if you stay on track and bear the pain.
How it all worked out in the end
Consistency was 50% of the deal for me. Yes, Abs are made in the kitchen. I totally agree. But I could only be consistent because of the state of mind I forced myself into.
Make sure that your goal is not just a broad idea. It has to be crystal clear. You have to already be there in your imagination. How will it feel being confident in your undies? How fast will you be able to run? What will your boyfriend/girlfriend think when they start noticing the changes?
There is so much content on Medium to program yourself to be more efficient and successful in life. Use that to start your journey to the body you dream about.
A lot has changed for me, and a lot will change for you. I learned a lot about discipline and how necessary it is in life. Take a hit, endure the pain, and it will be worth it, no doubt about that.
I could be more muscular and athletic, but right now, I'm struggling to reach my next goal — in a body that, in retrospect, was not even that hard to shape.
Stop dieting and torturing yourself with that little bit of cardio you’re doing while feeling guilt. Create positivity within yourself and focus on the why instead of the how.
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