Everyone who loses weight successfully overcomes a set of similar challenges.

Consequently, when they arise, you might think you’re doing things wrong.

But you’re not, and here’s why.

You may feel like you’ve been lazy, gluttonous, or lacking in self-control.

Bothextremedietandexerciseare recipes for failure.

They know that successfully losing weight looks more like learning a language in a foreign country.

Of course, you’ve got the option to’t do that if you want anyone to understand you.

Instead, you clumsily stumble over foreign words to deliver your message.

It’s difficult at first, but over time, you get better at it.

You become accustomed to pronouncing things in the correct accent, and everything becomes second nature.

Weight loss is no differentyou need to learn the language ofcalories and macronutrients.

Not unlike continuously referring to a foreign language dictionary, it’s tedious.

But if you stick with it, it becomes second nature.

Literally running yourself into the ground by training for a marathon straight off the bat won’t help you.

Nor will copying the actions of Rocky Balboa or someone already in shape.

They are the subject of survival bias, andtheir routines probably won’t work for you.

#2: You Will Face Numerous Crushing Setbacks

You’ve probably seen the image above before.

It holds true for all of life’s challenges, including weight loss.

But that’s a moot point, because no one does everything perfectly.

Not onlywill you make mistakesin your journey, you’ll face crushing, psychologically-defeating blows.

Perhaps you injure yourself, or experience an emotionally devastating event.

But here’s the thing: from a fitness perspective, these blows arerarely as bad as you think.

When this happens to you, repeat after me: “I’m okay.

I just need to keep going.”

Crushing blows are a part of every single major transformation I’ve witnessed.

The same with vacations and cruises (aka floating buffets.)

Some things are in your control, some aren’t.

And of the things that are, some are more than others.

So stay optimistic, realize it’s not ruined, and get back on that damn horse.

You should just be happy with who you are."

“Why do you eat so much chicken?

Should I be eating this much chicken?”

“I don’t think your body jot down was ‘meant’ to be skinny.”

The first step is to separate them into two buckets.

Then, there are people who are genuinely trying to sabotage you.

This is no different for weight loss.

Understanding the reason above will greatly help you reframe and empathize with saboteurs.

I love you and don’t want you to leave me after your newfound success.

Empathy turns the once-impermeable emotional barrier into something it’s possible for you to work through.

It implies a journey, with a defined beginning and an end.

In reality, there is no end.

This insight stems from a very dark, personal experience.

Myfirst fitness “transformation"relied on pure willpower to get through.

I did this for four months, lost 45 pounds, and placed in a bodybuilding competition.

I thought I was finally finished dieting…andthings began to unravel.

Like most competitors, I celebrated by a (perhaps excessive) dinner.

I woke up the next day 20lbs heavier.

In fact, most people who lose weightreturn to their pre-diet weight within three years.

Everything you do should be sustainable andpass the litmus test of “Could I live like this forever?”

That’s because if you’re successful, there is no end.

But you won’t regret a minute of your journey, because it’s a better life.

Images byGor Grigoryan,pking4th,anthonycz,Oakview Studios,Peter Mooney,William Franklin, andAlyssa Miller.