4 Steps to Permanent Weight Loss

Here are the 4 steps that make permanent weight loss success inevitable.

(Note: you can plug any health goal you have into this equation – it’s not just applicable for weight loss.)

1. Get clear on your vision, purpose, and commitment.

You must have a clear vision of your end result.

It’s easy to say it would be “nice” to lose some weight or be healthier, but can you visualize that future version of yourself?

What does she look like?

What does she think?

How does she take care of her body?

How does she eat?

What does she wear?

How does she speak to herself?

Your purpose is your “why?”

Why is this outcome important to you? What is the alternative?

Your “why” must be compelling enough to keep you moving forward, even when things feel uncomfortable and challenging, and the easier option is to resort back to the familiar or quit altogether.

And lastly, your vision and purpose must be coupled with a strong commitment to see things through until you get your desired outcome.

There’s a BIG difference between wanting to lose weight and committing to losing weight.

Lots of people want to lose weight, but not as many are willing to commit to it because making changes feels uncomfortable.

Being 100% committed requires you to keep taking action until you get the desired results that you want. It requires a high level of dedication.

It often feels challenging, uncomfortable, and tedious. But it means you’re committed to figuring things out, showing up for yourself, doing the work, and yes, to “failing” as many times as it takes (and having your own back when you do).

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2. Eat for the body (and lifestyle) that you want. 

This should align with your vision of your future self (as per above).

Does she eat healthily?

Does she have an enjoyable relationship with food?

How does she take of herself?

Does she need to avoid all social situations in order to stick with her “eating plan”?

What does her ideal day of eating look like?

A few things to take into consideration:

  • Your body type/stage of life (i.e. realistic expectations)
  • Balancing food quality and quantity
  • Eating to support both digestive and hormonal health.
  • How you eat (i.e. mindfully, intentionally)
  • Food timing (i.e. your eating window, continual snacking?)
  • Ability to plan and make decisions ahead of time
  • Sustainability –>, i.e. enjoyment and social aspects

and, it would be remiss of me not to mention,

  • How you take care of your body in other ways (i.e. movement, sleep, rest & relaxation).

(P.S. I share more on this in my Elegant Eating Handbook: Simple & Effective Tips for Permanently Living at Your Natural Weight. Download your FREE copy here.)

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3. Address emotional eating (and overeating in general)

…but don’t beat yourself up or quit when you do.

I’m not claiming that this is easy, as it’s an area where many of us struggle. But if you’re chronically consuming more than your body needs, it’s certainly a hindrance and will need to be addressed.

Developing the skill of allowing an urge but not responding to it with food is a daily practice, and you won’t do it perfectly every time. It often feels very uncomfortable, to say the least.

But even if you slashed overeating by 50%, imagine the cumulative effect of that over time when your body is no longer taking in all of that unnecessary food/fuel.

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4. Take ownership + solve obstacles along the way.

Don’t waste time blaming your progress on circumstances outside of yourself. Of course, it would be easier if everyone catered to your weight loss efforts, but that’s not realistic.

When you take accountability for your own choices (without turning it into a self-blame game), you’re left empowered to make changes if you don’t like them.

If you have to rely on outside circumstances to change before you can lose weight, then weight loss will never be achievable or sustainable long-term.

Obstacles will 100% arise; that is the reality of our human lives. But there is no such thing as failure as long as you don’t quit.

Always keep in mind: Progress, not perfection.


These are the exact steps I teach to women in my 3-month private coaching program.

Yes, they lose weight and upgrade their health, but even better, they completely transform their relationship with food.

​You can get started with private coaching here.

Elaine Brisebois, Nutritionist_Blog_Sidebar-01

Hi! I’m Elaine, a Certified Nutritionist & Master Health Coach. I teach women how to lose weight while prioritizing the health of their bodies and minds (while also enjoying the foods they love!).

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Get a free copy of my handbook!

The Elegant Eating Handbook: Simple and Effective Strategies for Lasting Weight Loss and a Peaceful Relationship with Food.

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