Are You Asking the Wrong Questions About Weight Loss?
Here’s What to Ask Instead
Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, weight loss just isn’t happening? Maybe you’ve told yourself, “I can’t stick to a plan,” or “I just don’t have the time to make it work.” What if the real problem isn’t your effort, but the questions you’re asking yourself?
Many women over 40 unknowingly keep themselves stuck by focusing on the wrong questions—questions that lead to frustration, not solutions. Let me show you how a simple shift in mindset and the right questions can create incredible transformations.
The Problem: Why the Wrong Questions Lead to the Wrong Actions
It’s so common to ask yourself things like:
“Why can’t I stay motivated?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“What’s the quickest way to lose weight?”
These questions are full of blame, frustration, and a focus on short-term fixes. They don’t open the door to solutions—instead, they close it, making you feel defeated before you even begin. But when you ask empowering, forward-focused questions, everything changes.
A Real-Life Example: From “I Can’t” to “What Can I Do?”
I once worked with a woman who came to me feeling completely stuck. She was struggling with her weight, diabetes, and the overwhelming belief that she couldn’t change. One day, she said to me, “I just can’t do this, Dr. Marbas. I don’t have time to exercise or energy to figure it all out.”
Instead of agreeing or offering a complicated plan, I asked her one simple question: “What can you do to move more, even a little bit?” She paused and thought about it but didn’t have an answer. So I asked another question: “When was the last time you spent any time outside?”
She thought for a moment and said, “When I’m walking to and from my car for work.”
That was her starting point. I said, “Okay, here’s what I want you to do: Start by walking to the end of your driveway every day. That’s it.”
She looked confused. “How is that going to help?” she asked.
I explained the principle of compounding progress—how small, consistent actions add up over time. I used the example of a penny that doubles in value every day. At first, it doesn’t seem like much, but by day 30, it’s worth over $5 million. I also told her about the idea of improving by just 1% every day. It might not seem like much in the moment, but over weeks and months, it becomes life-changing.
She decided to trust the process and began walking to the end of her driveway daily. Over time, those steps grew into walks around the block, then longer walks in her neighborhood. Eventually, she was walking 2–3 miles a day. She went on to lose 60 pounds, reverse her diabetes, and gain the confidence she thought she’d lost forever—all because she started by asking, “What can I do?”
The Shift: Ask Better Questions to Transform Your Journey
If you’re feeling stuck, start by shifting your questions. Here’s how to reframe:
Instead of: “Why can’t I stick to a diet?”
Ask: “What small, sustainable habit can I start today?”Instead of: “Why is weight loss so hard for me?”
Ask: “What can I do to make healthy choices easier?”Instead of: “Why don’t I have time to work out?”
Ask: “When and where can I move my body, even for five minutes?”
These questions focus on possibility and progress. They empower you to find solutions instead of dwelling on barriers.
The Science of Small Steps
When you take small, consistent actions, you trigger a psychological principle called the compound effect. Each positive step builds momentum, making the next step easier and more impactful. At first, your progress may seem slow, but over time, the results multiply. Whether it’s adding more steps, improving food choices, or sleeping better, these small changes create a ripple effect that transforms your health.
Takeaway: Reframe Your Questions, Transform Your Journey
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. But remember, transformation doesn’t happen in giant leaps—it happens in small, consistent steps. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, ask yourself, “What’s one small thing I can do today?” That single shift can open the door to remarkable progress.
Your Next Step
If this story resonates with you, and you’re ready to take the first small step, I invite you to join my free webinar, 6 Steps to Master Metabolism and Lose Weight. Together, we’ll dive deeper into how you can build lasting habits, one step at a time, and achieve the health and energy you deserve.
Click here to sign up today. Let’s reframe the journey, take the first step, and create the vibrant health you’re looking for.
You’ve got this!