Borrowing Belief: How to Finally Make Weight Loss (and Any Big Goal) Stick

All the best stuff in life is uphill. John Maxwell has said it for years, and it’s true. If it doesn’t require real work, it’s probably not worth having. But here’s the problem: so many people—especially those who’ve tried diet after diet, lost weight, gained it back, and spun their wheels for years—start with almost zero belief that it can actually work this time.

I get it. Your track record feels like proof you’re doomed to fail again. That lack of belief becomes the biggest barrier.

Belief Can Be Acquired—or Borrowed

Belief isn’t something you’re either born with or not. It can be built.

Think about it: If you grew up on a desert island and were taught the world is flat, you’d believe it your whole life—even though it’s wrong. Beliefs come from the information and experiences we’re exposed to.

But here’s the good news: you can borrow belief from others who’ve already done it. My college buddy’s dad, Rip Cormany (former military, professor, and a real character), had a great saying: “If another man’s done it, it ain’t a big deal.” (He meant man or woman—no sexism there.)

As long as it’s within the realm of physical possibility and you’re willing to put in the work, most big goals are achievable because someone else has already blazed the trail. Millions of people have lost weight and kept it off. Millions more maintain a healthy body composition without ever struggling. It’s clearly possible.

Roger Banister proved this dramatically. Before he ran the mile in under four minutes, experts believed it was physically impossible—the heart would explode, or the body would break. Banister didn’t buy it. Once he did it, the belief barrier shattered. Now, teenagers run sub-four-minute miles regularly.

If another man’s done it, it ain’t a big deal.

The Missing Pieces: Plan, Emotions, and Support

For most people with a long history of struggle, a few key pieces are usually missing:

• A solid, sustainable plan (not another crash diet that sets you up to fail).
• Skills to manage emotions—because eating healthy is far more about emotions than logic. We know grilled protein, veggies, and smart carbs beat deep-dish pizza and cheesecake, yet the last time I checked, the fast food industry is crushing it! So for all the logic we possess about making healthy choices with food, we still eat a lot of crap!
• Real accountability and support.

Jack Canfield shares powerful stats on this: Writing a goal down gets you to about 42% likelihood of success. Add an accountability partner and it jumps to 76%. They don’t even need to be an expert—they just need to hold you accountable.

That’s where a good coach comes in. I’ve seen it repeatedly with clients. A coach helps craft the right plan, spots blind spots, manages the emotional side, and keeps you going when belief wavers.

Five Swings a Day: Build Unshakable Belief Through Action

John Maxwell tells a story that hits hard. Imagine he hands you a brand-new, sharp axe and says your only job is to take five swings every single day at the biggest tree in your yard. Rain or shine. No misses. Will that tree eventually fall?

The audience always answers instantly: Yes, of course.

That’s the belief Maxwell wants you to have in your goals. Identify the top five daily behaviors that move the needle, then commit to them with that same certainty.

In health and fitness, those five swings might be:

1. Hit your protein target (e.g., 4-6 servings spread through the day).
2. Drink enough water.
3. Move daily (strength training or cardio).
4. Prioritize sleep and recovery (track with Morpheus, Oura, or your preferred fitness tracker).
5. Manage stress/emotions proactively.

These are behavioral goals—things you can control (thanks, Precision Nutrition). You can’t directly control the scale, but you can control the inputs that drive the outcome.

The Compound Effect + Momentum = Unstoppable Progress

Darren Hardy’s The Compound Effect shows how small, consistent actions explode over time. Think of doubling a penny daily: Day 1 = 1¢, Day 5 = 16¢, Day 10 = $5.12, and Day 15 = $163.84. Still pocket change. By Day 30 you’re at over $5 million. On Day 31, you’re over $10 million. On Day 38, you hit over $1 Billion.

Amazing right? And there are two very important lessons to be learned. First, the simplicity. The math never changes through the entire process. It’s simple duplication. The second lesson is the consistency. Miss any one day, and you screw up the duplication process.

Your health works the same way. Early on, you might eat clean, train hard, and see almost nothing on the scale. You’ll be sore. Motivation will dip. But compounding is working behind the scenes.

Momentum makes it easier over time. Remember pushing a merry-go-round as a kid? Starting it takes serious effort. Once spinning, a light push keeps it going. Or think of a SpaceX rocket launch: massive energy to break free of gravity, but once in orbit, it’s a different game.

The beginning is the hardest. That’s exactly why so many quit. But with the right system, you build proof of progress—and proof of progress fuels belief.

Proof of Progress Changes Everything

Humans will push through almost anything if we can see we’re making progress. Without it, doubt creeps in and negative voices get loud.

This is why I love tools like Morpheus. It’s not just a recovery tracker—it’s a dashboard. During cardio, I can see exactly where I am: warming up in Zone 2, pushing into conditioning, then hitting that 6–8 minute “hell” in red overload (160–170+ bpm). I know the target, I track the minutes, and I celebrate crushing another cardio session with very specific intent.

It’s gamification at its best. Without feedback, 20–30 minutes of cardio used to feel like eternity. Now I consistently crush 60-minute sessions multiple times a week. The device gives me proof I’m progressing, which strengthens my belief that I can sustain it.

Zig Ziglar was right: You can’t hit a target you don’t have.

This Time Is the Last Time

When clients start with me, I tell them: I want this to be the last time you ever have to “start over.” My job—my superpower—is encouragement and accountability. We don’t stop. We adjust, we learn, we keep compounding.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or coming back from years of frustration, you can borrow belief from those who’ve done it (including your coach and the community around you) until your own results make it unshakable.

Ready to Start Swinging?

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and ready to build real belief through consistent action, the right plan, and strong support, let’s talk.

Drop a comment below, subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss future posts, reach out for a consultation via Work With Kelly, or join me at one of my Wednesday 1pm presentations at Life Time North Dallas. We’ll identify your five daily swings and get that tree falling.

You’ve got more in you. The best is uphill—and worth every swing.

Best of luck in your journey.