Not Really….
Many people are able to lose weight by adhering to all different kinds of “diets”. But then they gain it back.
Why? Because they were never really in a weight loss state of mind to begin with. They were in a “diet” mind, which means eating a certain prescribed way until they lose the weight and then once the weight goal is met, they go back to their old eating habits and gain all the weight back.
According to Eliza Kingsford, MA, LPC, writes in her book Brain-Powered Weight Loss “ a wise minded weight controller is in the mind-set of Healthy Obsession.” This means changing from a diet mentality to a behavior mentality. When we change to a “behavior mentality” our relationship with food changes. We begin to think of food as a necessity to sustain life and good health, rather than a substance to ease our emotional state of mind.
Being in a weight loss state of mind means we believe and pursue healthy behaviors so we can achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Instead of being obsessed with food we become obsessed with health. This however is easier said than done. Obesity continues to be on the rise in spite of all the food labeling laws, school lunch laws, and thousands of weight loss programs.
Much of the obesity crisis is a result of our continual immediate access to unhealthy food. This comes in forms of fast food and tantalizing marketing messages that claim a huge burger piled with lots of bacon, cheese, and sauces is going to make us feel good. Our mouths begin to water just seeing the ads. Our sedentary lifestyle also contributes to obesity. Sometimes the most movement a person gets is taking a shower, walking to the car, then office, back to car, then back to house only to sit in front of the television or computer and watch advertisements of food that make us hungry. So, we get up from the couch and grab a bag of chips or candy and munch away!
When we are obsessed by food rather than our health, we tend not make choices that serve our nutritional and health needs. For example, we are hungry in the afternoon and feeling that afternoon slump. So, we start to ask ourselves what can I eat to give me energy? A donut left over from the morning, or an apple? Both foods will give us energy. We begin a mental struggle in our mind because we know the donut is not nutritious. The question we really need to ask ourselves is which food would serve my nutritional needs most? It is then we need to examine the positives and negatives of the choice we make. Will the donut help me lose weight? Will the donut sustain my hunger until dinner time? Will the donut provide my body with nutritional needs. Will I feel too sad if I don’t eat the donut? Is it “worth” eating the donut?
It is a mind battle!
If you focus on the positives of choosing the apple you will soon discover the choice will lead you to your goal of weight loss and good health. So, you see it is up to the chooser and only the chooser to decide which food serves them best. It is not the “diet” making the choice, it is the mind of the person who wants to be healthy.
Dysfunctional food behaviors are often a result of certain stressors or triggers, such as job stress, family stress, celebrations, vacations, holidays, college, or whatever season life brings you. There is always going to be a trigger that may prevent you from meeting your goals. Honest, self-examination is crucial in finding the link between achieving goals and triggers that sabotage goals.
Once you determine the triggers that keep you from meeting your goals you can begin to manage them in a healthy manner and will begin to lose weight, move more, and feel much better. You will feel empowered by managing what goes in your mouth and not allowing triggers to control food choices.
It is then you will begin to lose weight and will want to measure your success in some form or fashion. Measuring success can be achieved in many ways. Some people measure weight loss success by certain clothing they want to wear, some weigh daily, some never weigh, and some use belt notches. What is important is you use whatever measurement tool is best for you. In other words, whatever measurement helps you get to your goal.
In summary weight loss is not about being on a special diet, it is about making conscious food choices that serve in achieving our goals. It is about choosing whole nutritionally dense foods. Making sure those foods are within your caloric requirements to reach your goal. Trying to move as much as you can. Knowing and understanding triggers that sabotage your goals. Never ever giving up! You are worth it. Love yourself and empower yourself to be healthy and beautiful inside and out.
Visit Eliza Kingsford for a great tool to discover your healthiest happiest weight at www.elizakingsford.com
