The Greatest Lie We Tell Ourselves in Weight Loss: Why "After I Lose Weight" Thinking Keeps You Stuck

How often have you told yourself, "After I lose the weight, everything will go back to normal, and I won't have to put so much energy into this"? It's that belief that once you hit your health goal, you'll finally relax and live like you did before - eating whatever you want and not worrying about exercise.

This creates a cycle of temporary change followed by reverting to old habits, leading to the familiar yo-yo effect. But the deeper issue is the internal conflict it stirs. We think,

"Future me will be different. I'll have more time, self-control, and motivation."

Here's the hard truth: when that future comes, life will still be life - the same stressors, time constraints, and likely the same motivation level. The only thing that can change is how you prepare yourself to face it.

What if this type of thinking is one of the greatest lies we tell ourselves?

The Illusion of "One Day It Will Be Easy"

Whether it's health, weight loss, or even finances, we often hold onto the mindset that if we just endure the struggle, a carefree, effortless version of life awaits us on the other side.

Because of this belief, we use willpower to grit our way through, only to miss the most important lessons along the way. And if you've felt frustrated by this cycle, it's not your fault.

Why This Mindset Sets Us Up for Failure

Three powerful examples illustrate why this thinking doesn't work long-term:

The Biggest Loser Contestants: Many struggle to maintain weight loss. In one study, 13 out of 14 contestants regained much of their lost weight, with some surpassing their original weight. This is partly due to metabolic adaptation - after extreme weight loss, their bodies burned fewer calories. Hormonal changes played a role too, with contestants reporting constant hunger due to lower leptin levels. This reflects the broader difficulty of sustaining rapid weight loss without long-term lifestyle changes.

Lottery Winners: Studies show about 70% of lottery winners lose or spend all winnings within five years. Sudden money influx often leads to poor financial decisions and risky investments. Many lack skills to manage large wealth. Without solid financial habits, winners revert to the same struggles they faced before winning.

Home Makeover Recipients: Recipients of extreme home makeovers often struggle to maintain their new homes. Many families faced higher property taxes, utility costs, or maintenance requirements they weren't prepared for, leading to foreclosures or selling. Without skills to maintain improvements, they returned to similar struggles.

These examples apply directly to health and weight loss. We convince ourselves that if we just bear through tough times, we'll reach a point where everything becomes easy. But if we don't learn how to live healthily in those tough moments, we won't sustain long-term success.

The journey is where we build skills, strength, and resilience for lasting change.

My 18-Month Journey to Understanding

In my own experience, I spent years searching for shortcuts - a quick fix or easy button to fast-track progress. I thought once I lost weight, I'd be done and could return to life as usual.

Over time, I learned something crucial: the process is the solution.

It took me 18 months to lose 33 pounds. While there were times I wished it would happen faster, I realized every challenge and moment of discomfort was teaching me how to live healthily for the long run. Avoiding challenges didn't help me grow stronger - facing them head-on did.

I often hear people say they're avoiding triggers like stepping on the scale or being around certain foods. I understand - it's hard at first. But avoiding these challenges forever won't build strength.

Think of it like weight training: you don't get stronger by avoiding weights. You get stronger by lifting them repeatedly.

5 Ways to Move Past This Lie

1. Acknowledge the Myth

Recognize that "one day it will all be easy" is a lie. Life will always bring challenges. How you face them determines your growth. The belief in a magical future state where health is effortless keeps you from doing the work that creates lasting change.

2. Visualize Sustainable Reality

Picture yourself at your goal weight or in your desired healthy state. Ask: Do people who maintain this health level indulge in junk food regularly or lead sedentary lives? Usually no. If you want to sustain a healthy lifestyle, you need to live like that healthy version of yourself now, not someday.

3. Embrace the Process as the Solution

Instead of relying on willpower to push through until some endpoint, focus on learning from the process. When something feels difficult, ask: "What lesson is here for me to learn?" The discomfort you're experiencing is building the muscles you need for long-term success.

4. Gradually Face Your Triggers

Reintroduce things you've been avoiding. If the scale triggers you, take it slow, but don't avoid it forever. If certain social situations or foods challenge you, practice navigating them rather than running from them. Confronting what challenges you makes you stronger, just like lifting weights builds muscle.

5. Celebrate Progress Along the Way

Don't wait for the finish line to celebrate. Every healthy choice, every moment of self-discipline, and every small victory is worth celebrating. The journey isn't something to endure until you reach the "real life" you're waiting for. This is your real life.

The Truth About Sustainable Change

The idea that "one day it will all be easy" is an illusion keeping you stuck. The truth is the journey is where the magic happens.

When we stop looking for shortcuts and start embracing challenges, we build the habits, mindset, and strength to maintain healthy lives. It's not about arriving at a perfect destination where you can finally relax your efforts.

It's about learning to thrive in the process.

The person you're becoming through the challenges is exactly who you need to be to maintain your results. When you embrace this truth, you realize you're already living your best life - not waiting to start living it "after."

Ready to stop waiting for "one day" and start building lasting change now? Listen to the full episode of Wellness Mastery with Jen Hoyer for more insights on embracing the process as the solution.

Listen to Episode 10: The Greatest Lie We Tell Ourselves in Weight Loss