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Mind Over Matter
Key Strategies for Weight Loss Success
Nishanth Reddy
Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share
of diets over the years. From Weight Watchers to the Zone
to Sugar Busters, she feels as if she has tried them all.
While she has had moderate success in losing weight from time
to time, she has never found a long-term weight loss solution.
Her weight is a point of contention in her marriage; her husband
-- who also happens to be obese -- wishes she were thin, but
says he loves her anyway. The two have been separated a number
of times, and even filed for divorce once. The stress has
caused Katie to begin binge eating again.
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.
Nishanth Reddy is an Author and Publisher of various
health related websites. For more articles on Weight Loss
Diet Tips visit http://www.weightloss-diettips.com.
Article Source: www.easyarticles.com
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