When it comes to weight loss, it’s not just about the physical grind. Your mindset plays a huge role in your success… if not the most important!
You may remember the hierarchy of fitness…. I spoke about this before here.
Mindset is the foundation of everything we do.
As someone who’s passionate about fitness and helping people achieve their goals, I’m always looking for ways to motivate, inspire and make you more aware of your actions (so you can do something to change them).
So today I want to go over the 5 levels of mindset and how this is going to help you move the needle on your fitness goals in and out of the gym with us.
The 5 levels of mindset, as described by psychologist Carol Dweck, are a powerful tool for cultivating a growth mindset and achieving personal excellence. They can also be incredibly helpful when it comes to weight loss and achieving your fitness goals in the gym and with your nutrition.
Here’s the 5 levels…
Level 1: The Victim Mindset
First up, we have the victim mindset. This is where you believe that external factors are holding you back from achieving your weight loss goals or everything is not your fault.
But let me tell you, you gotta take ownership of your actions and recognize that you have the power to change your situation.
Because if you believe that your weight loss goals are impossible to achieve due to genetics, past failures, your significant other or other external factors, you’re going to find it really difficult to make progress and you’ll be stuck doing the same thing expecting different results.
It’s important to recognize that you have the power to change your situation and take ownership of your actions.
If you resonate with this and feel like this is you right now, it’s important to recognize that you have the power to change your situation. You may face challenges and obstacles, but these do not define your potential for success. By adopting a growth mindset and taking ownership of your actions, you can start to move towards your goals.
Level 2: The Reactive Mindset
But even if you’re past that stage and in the reactive mindset, you might still be struggling to take intentional action towards your goals.
At the second level of mindset, the reactive mindset, individuals have some level of awareness that they have the power to shape their own lives, but they still tend to react to external events and let circumstances dictate their actions (like snacking on candy when a co-worker brings it to the office). They may struggle to take proactive steps to change their situation and may feel stuck in a cycle of reacting to whatever happens around them.
If you’re in this mindset, it’s important to start taking control of your actions and making intentional choices when it comes to your nutrition and exercise habits.
Rather than simply reacting to external stimuli, such as cravings or busy schedules, make a plan and take deliberate steps towards your weight loss goals.
Level 3: The Creative Mindset
At the third level of mindset, the creative mindset, individuals begin to take ownership of their lives and recognize that they have the power to create their own reality.
They may still face challenges and obstacles, but they start to see these as opportunities for growth and learning rather than insurmountable barriers.
If you’re in this mindset, you may be starting to see progress towards your weight loss goals. You’re taking ownership of your actions and making conscious choices that align with your goals. Keep up the good work, and continue to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
Level 4: The Integral Mindset
At the fourth level of mindset, the integral mindset, individuals start to recognize the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of collaboration and teamwork. They may work towards creating win-win situations and building relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
For example, this could be teaming up with another member of the gym to keep each other accountable to attending workouts or healthy meals or partnering with your significant other in eating healthy meals together to support your shared weight loss goals.
If you’re in this mindset, you see the benefits of surrounding yourself with like minded people working towards similar goals who can support you on your weight loss journey. You recognize that your success is not just about your own efforts, but also about the support and guidance of others…
Level 5: The Unitive Mindset
At the highest level of mindset, the unitive mindset, individuals experience a sense of oneness with all things and recognize the interconnectedness of all existence. They may focus on contributing to the greater good and may experience a sense of purpose that transcends individual goals or desires.
While few people may reach this level of mindset, it’s still worth striving towards.
By recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, including our nutrition and fitness habits, we can start to see the bigger picture and make choices that align with our values and goals.
The Summary…
The 5 levels of mindset can be a powerful tool for achieving weight loss goals and cultivating a growth mindset in the gym and with your nutrition. By recognizing the power of our own actions and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, we can start to make deliberate choices that align with our goals and move towards personal excellence in and out of the gym.
So, whether you’re just starting out on your weight loss journey or just needed this blog as a reminder of the areas you can improve don’t forget the importance of mindset, taking ownership of your actions, and making and keeping it as front of mind awareness.
Take ownership of your actions, make deliberate choices, embrace challenges, and work with others to reach your goals.
My team and I are here for you if you need anything!
Committed to your success,
Josh Saunders, BS, CSCS
BEFIT
