Are You Stuck in the Perfectionism Trap?
As physicians, we’re trained to do things right. Follow protocols. Get the perfect result. This serves us well in medicine, but when it comes to weight loss? It’s actually keeping us stuck.
I learned this the hard way. For years, I’d swing between doing everything “perfectly” – tracking every calorie, meal prepping for hours, following every rule – and doing absolutely nothing because I couldn’t maintain that level of intensity.
Sound familiar?
The Hidden Cost of “Doing It Right”
Here’s what perfectionism actually does to your weight loss efforts:
It prevents you from starting. When you believe there’s only one “right way,” you need to be 100% confident you know what that is. So you research more, read more, wait for the perfect plan and the perfect time. But you never actually begin.
It doesn’t fit your life. Most “perfect” plans require tons of time you don’t have. When you can’t do it all, you do nothing instead.
It creates an all-or-nothing mindset. The moment you’re not doing it “perfectly,” you quit entirely. Two steps forward, two steps back.
It ignores your preferences. If the “right way” includes foods you hate or activities you despise, of course you won’t stick with it. Your brain won’t cooperate with things it doesn’t want to do.
The Truth Diet Culture Doesn’t Want You to Know
There is no “right way” to lose weight. There never was.
Anyone telling you their way is THE way doesn’t know your life, your schedule, your preferences, or your body. They’re selling you an oversimplified solution to a complex challenge.
The reality? There are hundreds of different paths to reach the same goal. Some might be more winding, but if you can actually stay on them, you’ll get there faster than constantly sliding back down the “perfect” path you can never stick to.
What Actually Works for Busy Physicians
Meet yourself where you are. Not where you think you should be. If you hate cooking, find a plan that doesn’t require cooking. If you’re disorganized, build in systems that support that.
Plan for your real life. Can you do this during your busiest week? When you’re on call? When life gets chaotic? If not, simplify it.
Choose consistency over perfection. Imperfect actions done consistently will always beat perfect actions you can’t maintain.
Trust your own wisdom. You know more about what works for you than any expert. You just need permission to honor that knowledge.
The Simple Test for Any Weight Loss Plan
Before committing to any approach, picture your most chaotic week. The one where you’re behind on charting, someone’s home sick, you have extra meetings, and life feels overwhelming.
Can you still follow your plan that week?
If you feel any “ooh” sensation – that little voice saying it would be hard – listen to that. It’s wisdom, not weakness. Modify the plan until it passes the chaos test.
Your Permission Slip
You don’t need to become a different person to be successful. You don’t need to suddenly love meal prep or become super organized. You don’t need to give up all foods you enjoy.
You just need to stop trying to fit into someone else’s “perfect” plan and start creating your own imperfect one that actually works.
Because here’s what I know after years of coaching physicians: The woman who loses weight and keeps it off isn’t the one who followed the “right” plan perfectly. She’s the one who found HER way and stuck with it consistently, even when it wasn’t perfect.
That can be you too.
Listen to the full episode below for more support and ideas.
Want help creating your own approach that fits your physician life? Learn more about working together – because you deserve a plan that works with your life, not against it.
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