They say a watched pot never boils. Ever notice it’s like that with weight loss – the more you watch the scale, the more you focus on losing weight, the longer it takes to be successful?
That’s why this month I’m sharing my “Top 50 things to focus on instead of losing weight.” So, while you’re doing all the right things, take your focus off the scale and try putting it on a few of these:
- Health – choose one aspect to improve or address
- Energy levels
- Fitness level
- Strength for daily activities – work to improve your strength so they become easier
- Posture
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Building resilience to handle setbacks
- Capacity – creating space and margin for what’s most important
- Meditation
- Vocational satisfaction
- Family connections
- Your partner’s happiness
- Your happiness (unrelated to weight!)
- Relaxation
- Fun & recreation
- Simplifying your calendar
- Reading on a new subject
- Revisiting a favorite book
- Learning a new language
- Cooking a new type of food (e.g. Moroccan)
- Being a bad a$$
- Community involvement
- Serving the under-served
- Finding ways to be kind
- A new hobby
- Re-acquainting yourself with a hobby from your past
- Discovering the positive in each situation
- Finding the lesson in anything
- Being your best self
- Spiritual formation
- Mental stimulation
- Beautifying your environment
- Contentment
- Clearing out clutter
- Seeking to see the best in people whom you normally would not
- The awesomeness of nature
- Finding new outdoor adventures
- How much you already have
- Learning a new sport or activity
- What you appreciate in others
- Stewarding your finances
- Being generous
- Building up others
- Strengthening friendships
- Keeping a (mostly) weed-free yard
- Daily brushing & flossing
- How much water you drink
- Gratitude
- Enjoying the present moment
In deciding where to place your focus, consider what sounds fun, interesting or motivating. As you engage in the necessary behaviors to reach your goals and focus on really living well, the weight tends to follow.
Where will you choose to focus?