At Skinnyminds, founded by Mieke Kosters, we guide you toward a slimmer you—not through restrictive diets, but by building sustainable habits you'll stick with long-term.
'I want to lose weight, but apparently not badly enough. Otherwise, I would.' I've heard this countless times—and said it myself. Many believe that if you truly want to get slim, you simply will. But research tells a different story.
In her book You Are What You Do, psychologist Roos Vonk explores a study by Polivy and Herman on 'false hope syndrome.' Their findings? The stronger your motivation, the more you overestimate your chances of success. Yet, desire alone has zero impact on actual behavior. People set unrealistic expectations, leading to inevitable disappointment.
Diets often begin after a binge, when fullness makes restraint feel effortless. You can't fathom the hunger returning—but it always does. Self-doubt creeps in, you blame your 'lack of desire,' and quit. This story excuses failure, letting you postpone real change until some mythical 'perfect' moment.
Every extra cracker, chip, or candy reinforces the urge. The more you give in, the harder it gets to resist, pulling you further from your goals.
Still, hope persists. Next time, you'll try harder—blaming past failures on parties, stress, or low motivation. 'This time is different,' you tell yourself. Is it?
Everyone wants to be slim. What matters is committing to the actions required, no matter life's chaos or your mood.
Years ago, I decided to control my eating consistently—motivated or not, feeling great or low. I've restarted countless times, always regaining control. As Skinnyminds founder with years of expertise helping clients succeed, I know this works.
Ask yourself: Are you ready to persist through setbacks, restart 10+ times if needed, seek support, and do whatever it takes?
Research confirms: Sharing intentions, specifying behaviors, and using reminders boosts results.
Ready to lose weight? Define 3-5 specific actions, like: tracking meals in an app, planning daily eats, saying no to treats 3x daily, eating only at the table, smaller breakfasts, single servings, weekend-only wine, savoring richest foods first, limiting bites, or bouncing back from slips. Write them down.
How will you cue these daily? Post your list at work, follow a coaching plan, log wins, set phone reminders, create a visible mood board, stick notes on cabinets, record and replay your plan, or revamp your environment.
With commitment, clear actions, and daily reminders, you create the perfect starting point for lasting weight loss.
Good luck!
Mieke
Mieke Kosters is the founder of Skinnyminds. Our proven approach ditches dieting for permanent weight loss through lasting behavioral change.
