What do weight loss plateaus, loving movement, and ditching perfectionism have in common? They’re all essential parts of a long-term weight loss strategy. In part 6 of So Much More Than Weightloss, I talk about the importance of weight loss plateaus and why we have them, why you need to find movement that you love doing, and what happens when you stop perfectionism.

 

How to Love Movement:

• What do you like to do? 
• How often are you moving just to move?

 

Finding Movement You Love

Plateaus are an important part of your body’s weight loss journey. A plateau is your body’s time to adjust to what it’s supposed to do now that you’ve lost weight. This is why your results actually need to take a long time – these stages are necessary for your body to acclimatize to the way it’s meant to exist.

Continuing our conversation about G.O.A.L.S., I really want you to love movement. Finding movement you enjoy is a game-changer for your exercise routine. Who says that exercise has to be hard and not fun? You are likelier to stick to working out if you enjoy your work.

Even doing ten minutes of exercise daily has its place and can make a difference. And, if you’re new to exercise, honestly, a goal of 5,000 daily steps is a great place to start.

 

Moving Past Perfectionism

People often discuss the perfect exercise program. Not only do I want you to ditch perfectionism everywhere, but I want you to understand that there’s no such thing as a perfect exercise program. There’s only the perfect exercise program for YOU. And that’s a movement you love doing.

That’s it. There’s no magic wand, no perfect solution. Weight loss is about setting realistic G.O.A.L.S. that work for YOU. You will meet your goals if you enjoy what you’re doing, if it doesn’t feel like a chore, and if you commit to doing it on a weekly basis.

This is what helps you get through a plateau. Consistency and enjoyment, and knowing that this plateau exists for a reason.

What do you need to get to your next phase? Let me know in the comments on the episode page.

 

In This Episode 

• Why results need to take a long time [2:30]
• The role of a plateau [6:00]
• The power of 10 minutes of exercise [9:30]
• How to prioritize you [10:45]
• What the perfect exercise program for you is [13:00]
• How many steps you should aim for each day [16:30]
• How to stay motivated and consistent [21:15]

 

Quotes

“Plateaus are necessary. Plateaus are our body’s way to relearn the new way that it is meant to exist.” [2:31]

“When you get to a point in your life where something becomes non-negotiable anymore, that’s when you know. When it’s non-negotiable, that’s when you know that you’ll do it the right way for you and you’re okay that it may take some time.” [5:46]

“You have one body. You have one life. What will it take for you to prioritize yourself?” [10:15]

“Loving movement means that the perfect exercise program for you is the one that you love doing.” [12:58]

“Find what you love to do and commit to a baseline amount on a weekly basis.” [17:43]

“There’s a lot of different strategies you can take on, but the most important one is for you to continue being motivated and consistent despite the circumstance of a plateau.” [25:42]

 

Resources

31 Days of FIT.  Learn more HERE.

Muscle Maintenance During Fat Loss. Waitlist HERE.

Fit Woman Collective™. Learn more HERE.

Follow Dr. Ali Novitsky on TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Subscribe to The Muscles and Mindset Podcast on Apple Podcasts

*** Ali Novitsky MD, this podcast, and podcast write-up are NOT providing medical advice ***

 

Related Episodes 

Episode 137: So Much More Than Weight Loss Part 4

Episode 136: So Much More Than Weight Loss (Part 3)

Episode 135: So Much More Than Weight Loss Part 2