Beliefs that keep us from losing weight (and what to do about it)

Losing weight seems like hard work. Often, it isn’t just what we eat that is holding us back, it is more about why we eat and what we believe about ourselves and food. Many of us have built up unhealthy relationships with food and also have beliefs about ourselves that hold us back.
Here is a list of 30 beliefs that can keep us from losing weight. See if any of them resonate with you:
- Fear of what it will take and if it will last.
- Fear of success.
- Emotional pain from past events that hold us back.
- Insecurity about ourselves.
- Addiction to sugar and/or carbs.
- Hiding behind our weight – our weight keeps us safe.
- Feeling overwhelmed – too much to lose.
- Fear of not having enough.
- Can’t control cravings.
- My whole family is overweight, so I will always be overweight too.
- I have a slow metabolism.
- I feel like I can only be happy when I lose X pounds.
- I hate my body.
- I feel betrayed by my body.
- I feel like I’m caving into society’s expectations that women have to be thin if I lose weight.
- I don’t feel worthy.
- I can’t stay motivated.
- I don’t have patience with myself.
- I’m afraid losing weight is too hard.
- I’ve got too much stress in my life right now.
- I’m just not ready right now.
- I’ve always been overweight.
- Every time I lose weight, it always comes right back.
- I’m afraid I’ll be too hungry.
- Exercise is hard.
- I’m afraid if I want to lose weight, I will no longer be able to enjoy food.
- I’m afraid I’ll be a different person if I lose weight.
- Food gives me comfort.
- Feeding my kids/spouse makes it hard for me to lose weight.
- I just can’t lose weight.
By addressing the underlying beliefs, we can make losing weight easier and actually even enjoy the process. A great method for addressing these beliefs is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping. What in the world is that?
A simple explanation of EFT is:
“EFT means “Emotional Freedom Technique.” It is a powerful self-help method based on research showing that emotional trauma compromises both physical and emotional health.
Over 100 clinical trials have shown that EFT is effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD, pain, phobias, and many physical diagnoses. EFT is able to rapidly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger emotional distress.
EFT uses elements of Cognitive Therapy and Exposure Therapy. These are combined with Acupressure, in the form of fingertip tapping on 13 acupuncture points. For that reason, EFT is often called “tapping.” Over 100 papers published in peer-reviewed medical and psychology journals demonstrate that EFT is effective.”
- EFT can reduce stress and anxiety by 41%
- Research shows that tapping can calm the Amygdala in our brain (which triggers our fight or flight response), thereby regulating our nervous system.
- By regulating our nervous system, tapping boosts the immune system and allows our digestive, reproductive and endocrine systems to function normally.
- EFT Tapping lowers the stress hormone cortisol by 43%.
- EFT Tapping reduces food cravings and actually changes “the brain’s neural pathways involved in addiction and food cravings.”
Using EFT can help with the underlying beliefs and also help reduce cortisol, the stress hormone that keeps our insulin levels high. This EFT and Weight Loss article explains how that works.
Okay, so now you may wonder how do I use EFT? This video will walk you through it (from a Christian perspective):
Here are the written instructions.
Want some help with tapping and losing weight? Join me for Weight Loss EFT for Christian Women. This membership group provides weekly (or more) zoom meetings for tapping, tips, and support, premium content that is not found on the main Pathlight website. Additional tapping videos and a members-only Facebook group for community support and friendship.
The introductory cost is $9.99 for the 1st month and then $29.99 per month thereafter. You can stay as long as you like and cancel at any time