Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I can’t lose the weight,” or “I’ll never be able to stick to healthy eating”? These words carry more weight than you might think, often shaping our mindset and influencing our ability to achieve our health goals. But what if you added one small word to the end of those sentences? What if you said, “I can’t lose the weight… yet,” or “I’ll never be able to stick to healthy eating… yet”?

That tiny word, “yet,” has the power to completely shift your perspective. It creates space for possibility, growth, and change. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful words you can use on your health journey because it shifts your mindset from one of limitation to one of potential.

The Impact of Mindset on Your Health Journey

Your health journey is as much a mental one as it is physical. Many women embark on a new diet or exercise plan determined to shed pounds and improve their health, but they hit roadblocks—plateaus, busy schedules, stress, or cravings—and then the doubts start to creep in. Thoughts like “I’m just not meant to lose weight” or “I’ll never be able to give up sugar” can quickly derail even the most committed efforts.

But mindset is everything when it comes to sustainable health and weight loss. When you approach your goals with a fixed mindset—believing that your abilities, habits, and outcomes are set in stone—you limit yourself. On the flip side, adopting a growth mindset—believing that with effort, practice, and patience, you can improve—gives you the space to try, fail, and ultimately succeed.

This is where the word “yet” comes in.

The Word “Yet”: A Doorway to Possibility

Using “yet” creates an opening for change. Instead of saying, “I can’t lose weight,” and shutting down the possibility of progress, adding “yet” leaves room for future success. “I can’t lose weight yet” means that while you haven’t reached your goal, you’re still on the path, and the outcome is still within your reach.

The Power of Yet in Practice:

• “I haven’t figured out how to stick to my new meal plan… yet.”
• “I haven’t found the right exercise routine for me… yet.“
• “I haven’t reversed my insulin resistance… yet.”

With just this one word, you move from a place of defeat to one of hope. It’s a reminder that progress takes time and that you’re still learning and growing, even when it feels hard.

Reframing Setbacks

Setbacks are an inevitable part of any health journey. There will be moments when the scale doesn’t move, when you fall off track with your eating, or when stress and life’s demands make it difficult to prioritize your health. In these moments, many of us are tempted to give up, telling ourselves that it’s just not possible for us.

But setbacks don’t have to be the end of your progress. Instead of seeing them as proof of failure, what if you saw them as a necessary part of your learning process? What if you could say, “I haven’t reached my goal… yet,” and keep moving forward, fine-tuning your approach with each new lesson learned?

Here’s how you can use the power of “yet” to reframe common setbacks:

1. The Scale Isn’t Moving It’s easy to feel discouraged when the numbers on the scale don’t reflect your hard work. But remember, weight is just one indicator of progress, and your body is going through many changes behind the scenes. Instead of thinking, “I’ll never lose the weight,” try thinking, “The scale hasn’t moved yet, but my body is adjusting, and I’m still making progress in other ways.”
2. Struggling with Cravings If sugar cravings are still hanging around, it can feel like you’ll never be able to break free from them. But instead of saying, “I just can’t quit sugar,” shift to “I haven’t overcome my sugar cravings yet, but I’m getting better at managing them.” This reminds you that change takes time and that each day is an opportunity to improve.
3. Feeling Overwhelmed by Life’s Demands Life gets busy, and sometimes our health takes a backseat. Instead of beating yourself up, you can say, “I haven’t figured out how to prioritize my health in a way that works for my lifestyle yet, but I’m working on it.” This allows you to be gentle with yourself while still committing to finding a solution.

Building Patience and Consistency

One of the biggest challenges for women who’ve been lifelong dieters is impatience – this is me 100%! After years of trying quick fixes, many expect immediate results and feel frustrated when they don’t come. But health isn’t a sprint—it’s a lifelong journey.

The word “yet” is a powerful tool for building the patience you need to stick with your health goals. When you use it, you’re acknowledging that you’re still in the process of becoming the healthiest version of yourself. It helps you focus on progress over perfection, celebrating small wins along the way.

Imagine how different your health journey could feel if you approached it with the understanding that you don’t have to be perfect to make progress. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle at once, you could embrace the idea that each small step forward brings you closer to your goal.

Here’s how you can use “yet” to build patience and consistency:

• When your progress is slow: “I haven’t lost all the weight I want to yet, but I’m moving in the right direction, and I’m committed to keeping going.”
• When you’re feeling frustrated: “I haven’t mastered this new way of eating yet, but I’m learning, and each day gets a little easier.”
• When you’re tempted to give up: “I haven’t seen the results I want yet, but I’m still on the journey, and I know that lasting change takes time.”

How to Incorporate “Yet” into Your Health Journey

Now that you understand the power of the word “yet,” how can you start using it in your daily life to transform your health journey? Here are a few practical tips to get you started:

1. Catch Your Limiting Thoughts Start paying attention to the negative, fixed-mindset thoughts that pop up throughout your day. Whenever you hear yourself saying “I can’t,” “I’ll never,” or “I’m not good at,” add “yet” to the end of the sentence. This simple shift can transform a limiting belief into an opportunity for growth.
2. Set Realistic Expectations Instead of expecting perfection from yourself, set the expectation that you’re in the process of learning. Remind yourself that setbacks are part of the journey and that you’re still making progress, even when things aren’t going perfectly.
3. Celebrate Small Wins It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on what you haven’t achieved yet, but don’t forget to celebrate the progress you have made. Each small win—whether it’s choosing a healthy meal, going for a walk, or saying no to a craving—is a step in the right direction. Acknowledge these moments and use them as motivation to keep going.
4. Surround Yourself with Support Having a community of like-minded women who are on the same journey can make all the difference. When you’re feeling stuck or discouraged, they can remind you of the power of “yet” and encourage you to keep going. Look for opportunities to connect with others, whether it’s through online communities, health coaching, or local support groups.

The Power of Patience and Progress

Your health journey is unique to you, and it’s important to honour that. The power of the word “yet” helps you move away from a perfectionist mindset and toward a patient, growth-oriented approach. It reminds you that while you may not have reached your goals today, you’re still on the path, and with consistency, progress will come.

As you move forward, embrace the idea that you are always growing and learning. Instead of feeling discouraged by setbacks, use the power of “yet” to remind yourself that you’re still on the journey, and your future success is just around the corner. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress, one step at a time.

So, the next time you find yourself thinking, “I can’t,” remember to add that little word: “yet.” It just might be the key to unlocking your full potential.