Losing weight may feel like an impossible task, but with the right lifestyle habits and attitude, making a big transformation is very doable.
Carla Piera FitzGerald (known as HalfofCarla on YouTube), lost over 13st in 14 months - more than half of her body weight. She shared that one of her top tips for seeing results is "meeting yourself where you are with kindness".
Weight loss is about eating well and keeping active, but it's also about the right mindset.
Carla said that one of her tips to stay motivated on a weight loss journey is to be kind to yourself.
'Meet yourself where you are with kindness'
Instagram / @halfofcarla
She said: "We have a tendency to feel that motivation and consistency is going to be this continuous state and that that means every single day we're going to be the same - and that's just not possible."
She explained that every day can look different and there are so many things we can be affected by on a daily basis.
Stress at work can impact how you show up on your weight loss journey, as can feeling sick - or perhaps your children feeling sick.
Carla continued: "We need to meet ourselves where we are then in order to stay consistent and motivated."
For example, Carla revealed that if she has a morning walk planned but hasn't slept very well or has a lot on her mind, she still does the walk but doesn't put too much pressure on herself.
She said: "I'll still do the action that I need to do - which is walking - but maybe I'll meet myself where I am on that day.
"I give myself a bit of kindness, a bit of respect and a bit of empathy. I go, 'Okay, your body is tired. You're still going to do the walk, but today maybe let's take it at a leisurely pace. We're not pushing for our personal best today,'."
Even when you have a goal in mind, slimmers need to treat themselves with "kindness" if they want to see results long-term.
Pushing yourself when your body simply cannot do it may even have adverse effects overall.
Carla explained that "punishing yourself" for feeling tired and forcing yourself to perform at your best could lead to burnout.
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'I give myself a bit of kindness, a bit of respect and a bit of empathy'
Instagram / @halfofcarla
"Your motivation and consistency are going to go out the window," warned Carla, "because you can't stay in that nasty pushing yourself state."
It's also wise to apply this outlook to eating too. The weight loss guru advised that eating a little bit of chocolate is not the end of the world if it will make you feel a bit better.
She suggested treating yourself to a square of chocolate if you think it will make you feel better - it's a bit of a treat without "derailing" your progress.
The same rule can be applied to sleeping. The slimmer said that if you need a nap, have a nap. While having a break to rest your head may mean you don't get as much done on that particular day, it may have other benefits, such as helping you manage what you're eating and avoiding sugar.
Carla reminded slimmers that your best can look different every day. She said that sometimes you can do the "basics" - and not do the "extras".
"And maybe on another day, I'll meet myself where I am and I'm full of beans." On these days you can push and challenge yourself.
In other weight loss news, Carla also shared the five helpful kitchen hacks that helped her eat less.