Let's get things straight. Your weight problem is not caused by what you eat. The excess pounds did not appear as a result of your indulgence in certain foods. If eating chocolate, cakes, biscuits and the like automatically makes you fat then slim people would, by definition, never eat these foods. This is simply not true.
If you will think of your brain as a computer then your attitude to food is simply a case of faulty programming. And, for our computer, we all accept that re-programming is entirely possible. To change your results, you must overwrite old, negative programming and install positive new software into your subconscious mind.
My experience has shown that that when it comes to their beliefs around food and eating, people suffer from what I will term 'turbo-charged thinking patterns'. Let's run through an example. A client of mine, Paula, had a belief which stated "At the age of 45 years old it's not possible for me to lose weight and be slim. I'm too old". Maybe you're nodding vigorously in agreement? Now let's really put the spotlight on Paula's way of thinking:
T – is it TRUE? Does she know any slim 45 year olds? Does she know any 45 year olds who have successfully lost weight? If she can answer 'yes' to either of these questions, would you concede that her belief is simply not true?
U – is it USEFUL? Well, the belief will certainly keep her overweight, demotivated and unlikely to take action. So shall we agree that the belief does not serve any useful purpose for Paula? An action repeated becomes a habit and eventually a belief. This can be useful-such as in the action of starting a running programme which leads to the habit of regular jogging sessions and the eventual belief "I am a runner". In the same way, mindlessly picking at food becomes a habit leading to the belief "I always overeat".
R – is it REALLY YOURS? Where did Paula get this belief? From friends, her mother, the media? Paula needs to ask herself: "is it really, truly what I believe?" Although we are often unaware of it, many of us are still running negative programmes we picked up from many different sources over the years. These repeated thoughts eventually become what we believe to be true and – this is important – our subconscious will work tirelessly to validate our beliefs. The result is that we very rarely question them – however, challenging such beliefs is a crucial step to take before we are able to move forward in any and every part of our lives.
B – How does Paula's belief affect her BEHAVIOUR? Well, for starters it keeps her firmly in a state of numbing inactivity. She will act as per her belief which will thwart any attempt to lose weight thereby proving that she is right. Is it better for Paula to be right yet suffering with body issues or happily moving towards her dream of being slim?
O – What is the likely OUTCOME for Paula if she continues to hold this belief? A middle age hampered by excess weight, dissatisfaction and a life half-lived. Think I'm being a little dramatic? Hear this from a 68 year old client: "I have only just realised that I've put my entire life on hold waiting to be slim. All the places I wanted to see, people I wanted to meet, things I wanted to do. And though they say it's never too late, sadly for many of my dreams, I'm afraid it is".
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