The Role of Positive
Thinking on Weight Loss
The Affect of Negative
Thinking on Weight Loss
When you
set out to lose weight, your mental attitude has a huge bearing on how
successful you will be in reaching your goals. Even when you have the best,
scientifically based weight loss-health creation program coupled with ample
support, you can still fail. Why? It all comes down to your mental state
in regards to weight loss; and having the wrong mentality will set you up to
fail every time.
How do
you view your journey to health?
- The more you enjoy your journey to
health, the quicker weight will come off!
- People who look at weight loss as
a beatable challenge are far more successful at losing
weight and keeping it off than those who consider weight loss a chore that
must be done
- People who see losing weight as a
long-term adventure/journey/challenge, and make a commitment
to themselves and at least one other person to stay focused on the
challenge, are far more successful at losing weight and keeping it off
than those who want a quick fix
- Numerous studies have shown that
people who believe that they would successfully lose
weight by adhering to their weight loss program lost more pounds than
their less trusting dieting counterparts
- Learning to view healthy eating
and engaging in daily exercise positively will allow you to enjoy getting
rid of extra pounds and even make it seem effortless.
- Positive thinking changes the
brain – the science of Neuroplasticity
- Our thoughts change the very
structure and function of our brains
- Even people with serious problems
(strokes, cerebral palsy, mental illness) can train other areas of their
brains through repetitive mental and physical activities.
- Look at this
process as a journey
- When the scale
doesn’t go down (or horrors-goes up!) List 3 ways you are better off
because of your journey (for example: I am learning what it
means to eat 6 meals a day and how that positively affects my
health. I am focused on getting healthy. My weight
is down in the overall picture. I will be successful today in
my choices. I am doing the right things – the weight loss will
follow eventually. I have learned and grown….). Say
these out loud! Write these down! Put them on your
mirror!
- Find a metaphor
that inspires you (Traveling to Disneyland – draw a map (include the hills
– the grapevine). Move yourself closer to your target each day
– even if the scale does not move!! You are moving forward even if the
scale temporarily doesn’t show it
- Set small goals
and reward yourself for reaching them!!! (A new outfit from a
garage sale -don’t spend a lot of money because it won’t fit for long! Get
a massage – even a 30 minute one. Go out to a new restaurant for your lean
and green.)
- Recognize what
is behind your negative thinking
Fear of failure
We can do almost anything if we take action,
stop negative thinking, and evaluate our abilities.
Action
Steps: Force yourself to stop thinking about the reasons you cannot lose
weight, or the reasons why your efforts are not working. Every time a
negative thought enters your brain, retrain your brain to think a positive
thought about your abilities and your success so far. Nike's slogan,
"Just Do It" has real validity.
There is
a great deal of scientific research and evidence that proves that Take Shape for Life WORKS!!! Trust in
that evidence!
Over-thinking/Worrying
Many of us cannot stop obsessively thinking about
our problems; sometimes our worrying lasts for days or even weeks. It
drains our energy, affects our sleep, and changes our mood and outlook on life
for the worse. Focusing on our problems strengthens the worry function of
our brain.
Action Steps: When you find yourself in a cycle of worry, remember
the 3 R's
- rename, re-frame, and redirect. When the worry begins, mentally yell,
"STOP!" Rename the worry by reminding yourself that worry isn't
real. Rename the worry as a compulsive action - not reality.
Re-frame your thinking by focusing on positive or distracting thoughts.
Force yourself to think different thoughts. Do something uplifting,
fun, or mentally engaging. Follow these steps over and over until you
break the habit of negative obsessive thinking. It takes a great deal of
conscious effort to rewire your brain-but it can be done.
I strongly recommend Take
Shape for Life to help you on your journey to health. Take Shape for Life is highly successful
program, led by physicians and backed by research at medical and teaching
universities. Personal Health Coaches
journey alongside you to educate and motivate you as you lose weight safely and
rapidly, and continue to help you keep the weight off. This program
worked for me, and works for my clients.
Contact me if you would like a free health consultation or more
information (beckyreilly@sbcglobal.net). Becky Reilly, Certified Health Coach.
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