Mind-Body-And..... Weight Loss

by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 04/06/13

I think it's interesting that in our culture we tend to seperate our "issues" into being either mental or physical. It is my personal belief that they are very closely inter-related. Especially with weight loss, body image. stress, and eating. Email us for information on our groups, etc.

That said, weight loss starts in the head!

Do you look at yourself and say, "I'm fat", or "My hips are too big"? Many of us look in the mirror and immediately compare ourselves to those 'perfect' human specimens we see every single day on TV, in magazines and in the newspapers. Often we talk to ourselves and make excuses, "It's my genes", "I'm much too busy to get fit", "I like myself this", as a way of protecting yourself from the way we see ourselves now and the way we want to be. If we were to be truly honest with ourselves most people actually want to lose a few pounds - if we only knew how.

TRY OUT THIS EXERCISE:

Self Examination

Start by compiling a list of all those negative thoughts your have about yourself ... I'm undisciplined, I can't manage my time, I let people down, I can't succeed, I don't exercise enough. You will need to decide before you start this process that you won't get discouraged ... these are things that you will admit to yourself but they most certainly don't have to control your life.

Next, compile a second list including everything you LIKE about yourself. Keep going until this list is LONGER than the first list you compiled. You might include things such as, I am a good cook, I can make people laugh, I contribute to the soccer club, my daughter loves the way I decorate her room.

Then, take your 'negatives' list and turn it into your 'potentials' list. You do this by creating a positive self-image to every 'negative' you listed. Instead of "I can't succeed", write a counter belief, "I will succeed".

Ceremonially throw out the 'negatives' list - you are saying goodbye forever! Burn them, trash them, destroy them ... they are no longer going to be a part of your thinking about yourself.

Now, keep your list of potentials in a prominent place. On your refrigerator door, in your daily journal, or in a picture frame on your desk. Make sure you have them in front on your every single day so that you are reading them constantly and reprogramming your daily thoughts.