Have you tried to lose weight before and failed? If so, you are not alone, it is a common story for many of us.
The simplest rule of weight loss, is of course to burn off more calories than you actually need each day, and it goes without saying that you should not consume more calories than you actually need in the first place. But sometimes that isn't quite enough. Sometimes we need to do some inner work too, to let go of some of the emotional and mental patterns that can literally keep us weighted down.
As a health coach and hypnotherapist, I have a particular interest in helping my clients release the limiting beliefs and ingrained patterns that may be blocking their success and I'd like to share some of these simple secrets of success with you now.
1. What you affirm to yourself every day, really does make a big difference.
If at some level, even unconsciously, your self-talk is negative and you say things to yourself such as " oh I look so fat in that", or " I'll never lose weight, being fat runs in my family", or something of the sort, then your unconscious mind will take your words to be real and will act on your behalf to make your beliefs become your reality.
In other words it is absolutely crucial that your self-talk is positive and supportive of your goal. One good way to make a change here is to make some affirmations for yourself that you can consciously repeat throughout the day. Of course repetition alone isn't usually enough to make a difference, but if you associate vivid imagery of yourself at a realistic weight, whilst at the same time linking your affirmation with the feelings of success, then the brain will soon being to accept these new patterns as real. Recent research into this area tells us that it takes on average about 21 days to change a neural pathway in the brain. This may seem a long time at the outset but most people begin to see encouraging signs of success long before this.
2. Let go of your should's and ought's. '
When we use the words should and ought, it usually implies that what we are speaking about is someone else's goal. Not our own. So if you say " I really should lose some weight", you are also really saying that at some level you are not quite ready to do that. So be honest about that and work on building up your enthusiasm and motivation for a goal that is realistic and so desirable for you that you have great enthusiasm for it. So think about what you truly want for yourself, not what someone else wants for you but what you truly desire for yourself.
3. Raise your awareness of any hidden reasons that may be keeping you fat.
For example: "If I lose weight I will have to be more socially or sexually available" or " I might have to take on changes I'm unsure about, or take more responsibility for myself and I don't know how to do that"
Although these reasons may seem to be 'hidden' from our subconscious mind, the process of asking 'why I am I holding onto all this extra weight', or 'what benefit does this extra layer of fat give me', will start the process of your unconscious mind searching for answers for you. For most of us, 'therapy' isn't needed here, the simple process of asking you unconscious mind for information and then staying open to the thoughts and feelings that come up, is often enough.
4. Beware of emotional blackmailers.
Have you ever had the experience of beginning to do well on a diet and then someone comes along with the mistaken belief that if you reject their food, you are rejecting them too. For example, have you ever had a friend or loved one say something like "I made this specially for you, the least you can do is eat it", or "don't you like it"? This is a form of emotional blackmail and left unchecked it can seriously hinder your progress.
If you think this might apply to you, make a list of all of the unsupportive statements you have come across recently. This may seem a difficult thing to do but once you are aware of the pattern that is at work here, you will find it much easier to find a loving way of saying no and of asserting your own independence. Remember you are not responsible for the reactions of other people, just for yourself.
5. Finding enough love for yourself.
In my experience the one group of people who find it hardest to lose weight and keep it off are women, who are also carers. It's as if they spend so long caring for the people around them that they have actually forgotten how to take care themselves. For example, I frequently hear my clients tell me that they don't have time to exercise, or don't want to disturb the family routine by bringing new and healthier foods to the table.
In other words they find it hard to find sufficient love for themselves. If this applies to you, then consider what small but significant changes you could begin to bring to your daily routine to begin to make a difference, or if you think you would benefit from more direct support find a buddy or health coach to help you establish a new and more nurturing environment for yourself. Remember, baby steps are fine.
So there you have it. Five simple weight loss tips that have nothing at all to do with dieting. Most important of all; stay the course, don't give up and start thinking now about how you are going to celebrate finding the thinner you.
The simplest rule of weight loss, is of course to burn off more calories than you actually need each day, and it goes without saying that you should not consume more calories than you actually need in the first place. But sometimes that isn't quite enough. Sometimes we need to do some inner work too, to let go of some of the emotional and mental patterns that can literally keep us weighted down.
As a health coach and hypnotherapist, I have a particular interest in helping my clients release the limiting beliefs and ingrained patterns that may be blocking their success and I'd like to share some of these simple secrets of success with you now.
1. What you affirm to yourself every day, really does make a big difference.
If at some level, even unconsciously, your self-talk is negative and you say things to yourself such as " oh I look so fat in that", or " I'll never lose weight, being fat runs in my family", or something of the sort, then your unconscious mind will take your words to be real and will act on your behalf to make your beliefs become your reality.
In other words it is absolutely crucial that your self-talk is positive and supportive of your goal. One good way to make a change here is to make some affirmations for yourself that you can consciously repeat throughout the day. Of course repetition alone isn't usually enough to make a difference, but if you associate vivid imagery of yourself at a realistic weight, whilst at the same time linking your affirmation with the feelings of success, then the brain will soon being to accept these new patterns as real. Recent research into this area tells us that it takes on average about 21 days to change a neural pathway in the brain. This may seem a long time at the outset but most people begin to see encouraging signs of success long before this.
2. Let go of your should's and ought's. '
When we use the words should and ought, it usually implies that what we are speaking about is someone else's goal. Not our own. So if you say " I really should lose some weight", you are also really saying that at some level you are not quite ready to do that. So be honest about that and work on building up your enthusiasm and motivation for a goal that is realistic and so desirable for you that you have great enthusiasm for it. So think about what you truly want for yourself, not what someone else wants for you but what you truly desire for yourself.
3. Raise your awareness of any hidden reasons that may be keeping you fat.
For example: "If I lose weight I will have to be more socially or sexually available" or " I might have to take on changes I'm unsure about, or take more responsibility for myself and I don't know how to do that"
Although these reasons may seem to be 'hidden' from our subconscious mind, the process of asking 'why I am I holding onto all this extra weight', or 'what benefit does this extra layer of fat give me', will start the process of your unconscious mind searching for answers for you. For most of us, 'therapy' isn't needed here, the simple process of asking you unconscious mind for information and then staying open to the thoughts and feelings that come up, is often enough.
4. Beware of emotional blackmailers.
Have you ever had the experience of beginning to do well on a diet and then someone comes along with the mistaken belief that if you reject their food, you are rejecting them too. For example, have you ever had a friend or loved one say something like "I made this specially for you, the least you can do is eat it", or "don't you like it"? This is a form of emotional blackmail and left unchecked it can seriously hinder your progress.
If you think this might apply to you, make a list of all of the unsupportive statements you have come across recently. This may seem a difficult thing to do but once you are aware of the pattern that is at work here, you will find it much easier to find a loving way of saying no and of asserting your own independence. Remember you are not responsible for the reactions of other people, just for yourself.
5. Finding enough love for yourself.
In my experience the one group of people who find it hardest to lose weight and keep it off are women, who are also carers. It's as if they spend so long caring for the people around them that they have actually forgotten how to take care themselves. For example, I frequently hear my clients tell me that they don't have time to exercise, or don't want to disturb the family routine by bringing new and healthier foods to the table.
In other words they find it hard to find sufficient love for themselves. If this applies to you, then consider what small but significant changes you could begin to bring to your daily routine to begin to make a difference, or if you think you would benefit from more direct support find a buddy or health coach to help you establish a new and more nurturing environment for yourself. Remember, baby steps are fine.
So there you have it. Five simple weight loss tips that have nothing at all to do with dieting. Most important of all; stay the course, don't give up and start thinking now about how you are going to celebrate finding the thinner you.
Anne Marshall is author of The Health Factor: Coach Yourself To Better Health.
http://www.thehealthfactor.co.uk She is passionate about helping her clients to improve their wellbeing and offers a free sample coaching session to anyone thinking of hiring a Health Coach. You can contact her directly here: http://www.annelesleymarshall.co.uk
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http://www.thehealthfactor.co.uk She is passionate about helping her clients to improve their wellbeing and offers a free sample coaching session to anyone thinking of hiring a Health Coach. You can contact her directly here: http://www.annelesleymarshall.co.uk
