How to take charge of unhelpful thoughts

After a setback, you can’t always control what pops into your mind. Resist entering the chat and start a new conversation instead.

Let’s dive a little deeper…

Ever try to quietly evict unhelpful thoughts from your brain? Yeah, it doesn’t always work. Especially during the holidays when more of these unwelcome “guests” might move in thanks to added stress or when you, say, eat more than intended at your office party. What does work: Accepting them merely as thoughts—not true statements—then taking back some power by inviting in other, action-oriented thoughts.

This approach is critical on a weight-loss journey because what you think often drives what you do. So if thoughts of failure or quitting go unchecked, you could find yourself doing just that. But when you separate yourself from what your brain is saying, you have space to consider the facts and alternatives—like the fact that setbacks and fresh starts are normal.

Don’t worry if this shift doesn’t happen overnight. This type of mindfulness can feel hard or strange at first—and so many of our thoughts are automatic. Be patient and explore this technique at your own pace as you navigate what can be a tricky time of year, so you can finish 2022 stronger than ever.