With Halloween behind us, a time full of monsters and ghosts, we are reminded that some of the most convincing spells are the ones we cast on ourselves.
Every time you say “I can’t,” you strengthen the curse that keeps you stuck where you are. Those words begin to shape how you think, what you believe you’re capable of, and how much effort you put toward change. Over time, they become powerful enough to hold you back from becoming who you truly want to be.
The Curses That Hold You Back
Chapter 8 of Happy Life at a Healthy Weight reminds us that hidden beliefs can sabotage progress long before we take the next step.
Here are a few of the most common “curses” that hold people back:
- “It’s too hard—I don’t want to sacrifice and starve myself.”
- “I’ll have to exercise—I don’t like physical activity.”
- “I won’t get the support I need—I’ll just regain the weight I lose.”
But they’re really just ghost stories from your past—haunting your progress until you decide to tell a new one.
Rewriting the Spell
The good news is that every curse can be broken. Just as we talked about unmasking the monster in last week’s post, breaking a curse starts with recognizing it. Once you can see the spell that’s been cast, you have the power to break it.
A growth mindset gives you the power to rewrite those statements into something new:
- Instead of “It’s too hard,” try “I’m taking it one step at a time.”
- Instead of “I’ll have to exercise,” try “I’m finding ways to move that make me feel good.”
- Instead of “I won’t get support,” try “I’m learning to ask for and accept help.”
Each time you challenge an old belief, you weaken the curse and strengthen your confidence.
Turning “I Can’t” Into “I Can Learn To”
Mindset magic isn’t about pretending challenges don’t exist—it’s about believing you can grow through them. A growth mindset helps you see every challenge not as proof of failure, but as a lesson that builds resilience.
Each time you challenge a limiting belief, you break a piece of the curse that’s been holding you back. You don’t need a magic wand to change your story—just the courage to believe a new one.
Moving Forward
This autumn, listen closely to your thoughts. Which ones keep repeating in your mind? Are they curses meant to hold you back—or invitations to grow?
Because the most powerful transformation doesn’t happen under the full moon. It happens the moment you replace “I can’t” with “I’m learning to.”
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ready to break the curse? Take our free Top Inner Roadblocks to Weight Loss Success Quiz and discover which beliefs have been casting their spell on you.
Want to see what breaking a curse looks like? Revisit Your Inner Voice: Monster or Mentor? and learn how to turn your inner critic into your biggest ally.
Source:
Loughrey K. Happy Life at a Healthy Weight: Creating a Shame Free, Healthy Relationship with Food and Life.Authentic Wellness Publishing Company, LLC; 2024.
Zhana Ivanova
University of Maryland – Nutrition and Food Sciences
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN is a licensed Nutritionist-Dietitian and a weight loss coach with 30+ years of experience in helping people lose weight and develop healthier relationships with food. She coaches her clients nationwide providing weight loss planning, video check-ins, and more. Schedule your free consultation.