Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges that I had to face, during the process of changing my body, mind and life, was to learn how to get out of ‘survival mode’, and transition into ‘thrive mode’.
The reason why it was so important to achieve this, was because ‘survival mode’ is a weight loss blocker (in fact, it’s a goal blocker, period!).
It is a ‘fear based’ way of thinking/acting, and creates ‘fear based’ beliefs, and restrictive habits, as a result of this.
It is also a constant energy drain, as you tend to stress over even the smallest things, and feel immense pressure to never fail, or drop the ball.
It literally feels like you are fighting for your life, every single day. This is incredibly debilitating, and can take its toll on your mental health, as well as mess with your hormones, due to increased cortisol (stress hormones).
It is fundamentally a trauma response.
This can really hinder, and block weight loss success, as well as just cause an overall detrimental affect on your life, and your ability to move forward, and achieve personal growth. As it prevents motivation, focus and reinforced, positive action (all required in a weight loss journey).
‘Thrive mode’, on the other hand, is a hugely beneficial state of being. It promotes good physical, and mental health, as well as creating emotional freedom, and the ability to release yourself from habits, beliefs and behaviour habits that do not serve you, and your goals.
It not only assists weight loss, but it also enhances your entire life. And who wouldn’t want that for themselves?!

Here’s some signs that you may be in ‘survival mode’-

* Everything is urgent. The deadline is now, and if it’s not now, then it’s a failure.
* Meetings, calls, and other appointments are constantly cancelled and rescheduled, due to the inability to retain structure.
* Your family, friends and work colleagues can’t help, everything is down to you, all of the time.
* The stress is overwhelming.
* There’s no joy, even when you know there are plenty of things to feel joyful about.
* Everything is a reaction, or a trigger.
* Everything feels like it’s always beyond your reach, no matter how much leg work you put in.
* You compare yourself to others constantly, and you’re constantly trying to match others’ efforts, regardless of whether they have more tools, and opportunities than you.
* You feel as though you’re always climbing a mountain, without ever reaching the top. Because even when you do succeed at something, there’s always something bigger to achieve next, so there’s no time to relax, and appreciate the achievement in that moment.
* You are incapable of being present, because there’s always so much to do, so many people that need you, and so many things to achieve.

There were many factors in how I finally began to lose weight in a permanent, and healthy way, and shifting from ‘survival’ mode, to ‘thrive’ mode, was definitely a significant component in that process.

Here are 5 tips, to help you to do the same-

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Tip 1-
Make sure your challenges are achievable with the resources and time that you have.
The first thing of importance to remember is, no-one expects you to get things right first time, ever. And if you have an unrealistic view of your capabilities, or of other people’s expectations of you, it can have direct repercussions for you (depression) and also for others (frustration). Yes, it is important to push yourself, but be realistic about your current limits, otherwise it creates immense mental pressure, and feelings of panic.
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Tip 2-
Ask yourself when you take something on – IS THIS REALLY MY RESPONSIBILITY?
You cannot save people from themselves, nor can you try to take control of circumstances that are the responsibility of others. And often trying to do so is a sign of avoidance, from of lack, or trouble in your own life. If it is within your power, you can help them to find the right path, but it is their responsibility to walk that path, and your responsibility to walk your own. This will help you to focus on, and achieve your own goals.
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Tip 3-
Take care of yourself and reduce the stress and anxiety in your life. If you are constantly feeling stressed or harassed, you will be in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’. This can be exhausting, and really damaging to positive personal growth. By managing and reducing these things (using the POWER TOOLS provided), you will feel a significant shift in your energy and focus. This can help you to gain mental clarity, and move forward in life.
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Tip 4-
Physical health, a sense of purpose, feeling connected with others, and feeling safe and supported all play a key role in helping you to thrive. Looking after our mental health is an ongoing process. Finding the right balance of elements that help us thrive is something that we can all aim towards, to improve and maintain our mental health.
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Tip 5-
Resolve the issues that created the need to ‘survive above all else’. Now admittedly, this is possibly one of the hardest tasks. At some point in your life, something (or a series of events) created the belief that you needed to be in ‘survival’ mode. Stressful stimuli caused a physiological and psychological response, which is called our survival mode. This mode involved the release of stress hormones and the activation of your stress-response systems. Your mind and body then became focused on combating danger. Survival mode originally evolved to help us handle threats. And to be fair, if you get through your entire life, without ever experiencing threats or trauma, then you are incredibly lucky, but for most. this isn’t the case, and this response has been activated. To help yourself shift to ‘thrive mode’ you need to first and foremost, acknowledge what triggered this response, and bring it into the light. Sometimes, that alone can take away its power (everything seems scarier in the dark). You then must accept that although you had no control over it, you can control how much you allow it to impact you. You can choose peace and power, and to move on. And if this all seems beyond your emotional capabilities, then ask for help (either from loved ones, or professional help).