Mind Over Matter: Key Strategies for Weight Loss Success
There is hope
for Katie and others like her who feel as if they’re trapped on the diet
carousel. The key to long-term weight
loss success may not be the body, but the mind.
Research indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life are
more likely to lose weight-and stay thin.
But how can you have a positive outlook when you’ve been burned so many
times before? Is it possible to “will
your way” to losing weight?
One technique
that has been proven effective in sports training is something called
visualization. For instance, a baseball
player might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading to a
homerun. A soccer player might visualize
kicking the winning goal in a soccer match.
And a golfer might visualize sinking the winning putt in the Masters
Tournament.
The same
technique can be used by dieters.
Visualize yourself as thin.
Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes too small. Imagine stepping onto the scale and being
pleased with the result. Visualize
yourself saying “no” to that piece of chocolate cake or that plate of Fettucini
Alfredo. These mind exercises can help
to spur you onto weight loss.
When people
learn they are suffering from cancer, they are encouraged to imagine their
cancer cells being destroyed by healthy cells.
You can follow the same technique in order to lose weight. That means imagining your fat cells being
destroyed by thin cells. Through such a
method, you can “think your way” to a healthy weight.
In addition, it
is critically important that you maintain a positive attitude. Be forgiving of yourself. If you veer off your diet plan, simply get
back on course with your next meal. Don’t
spend precious time “beating yourself up” over your failures. Instead, celebrate your successes-in a
non-fattening way. For instance, when
you reach a milestone-say you’ve lost ten pounds-reward yourself with a trip to
an art museum or to your favorite coffee shop
(but skip the cream and sugar).
Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense that
you are triumphing over food.
Another helpful
technique can be prayer or meditation.
Some support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that use
scripture verses to help inspire. Taking
stock of your life and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher power
can be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weight
difficulties. It has been said that a
clear head leads to a healthy body. Try
praying or meditating ten minutes at the start of your day. Chances are you will feel refreshed and ready
to tackle the weight challenges that come your way.
Yet another
technique you might consider is role-playing.
Grab your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a situation
in which you might be tempted to overeat.
You’ll be forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation. This rehearsal could prove to be quite
helpful when a real life diet dilemma comes your way. If role-playing works for job interviews, it
should be beneficial for your weight as well.
Mind over
matter is not just a clever saying. It
can actually be the solution to your weight loss problems. By using your brain power, you can develop
the techniques needed to make healthy food choices. When your mind and your body are both
healthy, you have the best of both worlds.
About The Author:
Nishanth Reddy is an Author and Publisher of various health
related websites. For more articles on Weight Loss Diet Tips visit
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