If you have a goal to lose weight and gain health, you might be focused on the “basics” — cutting calories, working out more, cooking more at home and meal prepping. But where is your head at?

All of these tools are critical for long-term change, but if you’re head isn’t in the game, you’re missing a critical component. Your mindset shapes the bulk of your journey with weight because your choices and actions are largely determined by how you think and feel.

Sharpening Your Mental Outlook

Shifting your perceptions, altering your thoughts/behaviors, and preparing yourself for challenges will all help you win at weight-loss. Sharpen your outlook with these tips:

Set the Right Kinds of Goals

Goals help you see where you’re going. Rather than giving your big goals a short time frame to be accomplished, set realistic ones to fit your lifestyle and schedule. Don’t feel bad about starting small because you’ll build up the tools and confidence to score higher over time.

Eat Food You Truly Enjoy

When eating nutritious food, visualize the way it supports your body. This mind trick may help you appreciate healthy food more and choose it over less nutritious options. Compose a list of 10 healthy foods you truly enjoy and use them to build a meal plan you can stick to. You don’t have to only eat these foods, but eat them frequently and add to this list over time.

Celebrate Successes of All Sizes

Rather than focusing only on what the scale shows, consider non-scale success too. Are you building endurance? Gaining strength? Have you broken out of your comfort zone? Recognize feats of all kinds and don’t feel ashamed to celebrate them!

Look at Your Long-term Gain

If you feel like you’re “missing out,” visualize or daydream about reaching your long-term goals. This strategy will shift your thinking away from short-term wants and onto the bigger things you truly desire. Do this for 90 seconds each day to boost your mood and willpower.

Make Moving Fun

If you hate something, you’re less likely to do it. Aim for physical activity you find fun and engaging. Maybe it’s hiking over a run on the treadmill, or a Zumba class over jumping jacks in your living room. Set personal challenges and aim for movement that invigorates you.

Remember — goals for weight-loss and weight maintenance are far-fetched unless you have the right mentality. It’s more than just “willpower.” It’s learning to love your journey, visualize results and prepare for challenges. Change doesn’t start in your body, but in your mind!