Weight Loss Affirmations: Cravings

I use affirmations for many aspects of my weight loss success and general health, including helping me to deal with cravings. If you find you are craving foods that maybe aren’t the best, most healthy, choices then try using these weight loss affirmations to help keep YOU in control.

My body craves foods that nourish it.

This is a reminder that our body does know what it needs and that we can listen to it. Our bodies truly will guide us to make healthy choices when we learn to stop and listen and distinguish between what our bodies want and what our emotions are driving us to eat.

I eat foods that nourish my body and my mind.

While not specifically addressing cravings, this affirmation programs our mind about the types of foods we are intending to consume.

The foods I eat nourish my body and my mind.

On the surface this may seem to be saying the same thing as the previous affirmation, but the subtle difference speaks to the intention behind the affirmation. Notice the subject in the earlier affirmation is “I”…so the affirmation is about what I am doing. The subject in this affirmation is “The foods.”

The earlier statement empowers US to eat (only? Mostly?) nourishing foods. The latter affirmation gives the food we eat nourishing power.

Choose affirmations that feel good to you (even if they are a bit awkward to say at first) and that give the message you really want to internalize. Sometimes we have to sit with the affirmation and say it aloud a few times to really hear the difference.

No matter how the affirmations start, be willing to let them evolve over time. What feels right now, may not be what you need in a few months—or even a few minutes.

Focusing on Gratitude Today and Always

I know I have been away from Refuse to Diet a lot...things have been quite busy here in Loveland. And I have so much to be grateful for. Since tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of 9-11 it seems appropriate to really express my gratitude for all the many blessings in my life. If you are a regular reader of mine, then you know that I believe what we focus on we will get more of...so let's focus on our many blessings rather than our short-comings.

I am grateful for the health in my body and my mind.
I am grateful for my loving family.
I am grateful for the peace in my heart, in my body and in my land.
I am grateful for the abundant fresh and healthy food I have at hand.
I am grateful for all the wonderful people who have helped me to have this fantastic life.

I am also grateful to have been a co-author of the original
The Gratitude Book Project® and as a way for us to express our gratitude to so many others, we have teamed up and written a new eBook that we are giving away as a token of our love, gratitude and appreciation. This book is timed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9-11 and it is filled with stories of heroes, from 9-11 (including my own mother) and from countless other events of less infamy but no less importance.

Please watch this poignant video by one of my co-authors and then click the link below to claim your complimentary copy of The Gratitude Book Project: A Celebration of Personal Heroes




Thanks Mom, and all the other heroes out there.

Get your copy of this eBook today, and please share it with your heroes.

Lose Weight Over the Holidays? Yes I Can!

How many times have we heard (or said) that it is impossible to lose weight over the holidays?

Granted, if we look at it on the surface it would seem to be pretty darned hard. What with all the extra treats around. People are giving food, bringing it to the office, making special meals...and everything this time of year seems to be packaged with extra fat or sugar--or both.

So how does one lose weight over the holidays without coming across as the next big Grinch or feeling like we totally missed out?

The first step is to decide that it truly is possible. Yep, your attitude about it is crucial. As long as you say and believe that you cannot lose weight over the holidays, then believe me, there is no way that you will. Oh, you could starve yourself and have a slight dip but it won't last.

On the other hand, if you repeat often enough "It is possible to lose weight over the holidays" or better yet, "I can lose weight over the holidays" then you will actually begin to believe it. You will even start to see ways that make it possible and perhaps even easy!

Does this mean that you can eat gallons of ice cream covering plates of pies, platters of meats and cheeses and all the food you can possible stuff into your face? Well...I've never tried those affirmations!

What I do know is that when you start to believe that something is possible, it becomes possible. Maybe you end up eating less, while still enjoying your special holiday favorites--just in smaller quantities, or you end up moving your body more, or maybe your body processes the food more effectively...or maybe your focus is shifted off the food and put somewhere else. Don't really know the "how" at least not for everyone. For myself it seems to be a combination of all the above.

When I remind myself that it is possible to lose weight (or maintain weight) over the holidays...or at any time, for that matter...I become more aware of my health choices. I crave foods less. I move my body more. I'm certainly not dieting--they don't work anyway--I'm enjoying my favorite treats and even some that aren't my favorites. I know that when I have a positive attitude about losing weight then I am in control and life is just so much easier...and no one thinks I'm a party pooper either!

Here are some affirmations for losing weight over the holidays:

It is possible to lose weight over the holidays
My body craves foods that nourish it
I can enjoy holiday treats and still lose weight
I move my body and feel good
The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy friends and family
I am loving and loveable and I feel great
My body sheds excess fat easily
I love this time of year because it sets me up for success for the new year
My body naturally reaches the weight that is healthy for it

I was reminded of this simple shift in thinking when I watched Louise Hay's You Can Heal Your Life again recently. You don't have to be "sick" to benefit from the film although people with a variety of illnesses have benefited from Louise's teachings. I used her affirmations and inspiration in my own 125 pound weight loss journey and so I totally recommend her book and film, but I'm partial to the film. I own and suggest the complete set that has the affirmation toolkit and extra interviews.

Happy Healthy Holidays to You!

Affirmations and Cruising for Weight Loss Success

I have been using affirmations as one of my key success tools on this weight loss journey.

Not only have the affirmations helped me change many of the negative messages I was sending myself (I'm a work in progress...so I still have some negative messages to iron out!) but they have also helped heal my body as I dropped over 125lbs.

One of my favorite teachers is Louise Hay. Her style of affirmations and self-love really resonates with me. Hence, I recommend her books, CDs and movies as great tools...for anyone wanting to lose weight--even though they are not specifically aimed at that goal--or to improve their lives in any way.

I wanted to let you know that I found out that Louise is offering a contest to go on a cruise with her in Jan 2011, and having a sale on many of her products.

So if you have been thinking about buying any of Louise's works, click on the banner below to be sure to get the best price AND be entered into a drawing for the cruise!

To your health & Bon Voyage!

General Affirmations for Weight Loss Success

There are lots of affirmations for weight loss...and yesterday I mentioned that affirmations are a great place to start changing your mindset, because it is usually our mindset that is what is keeping us from experiencing weight loss success.

I found these affirmations and wanted to share them with you...they aren't specific to weight loss...they are what Louise Hay calls "good, general" affirmations...if you practice these you are apt to find all areas of your life improving over time.

These affirmations are courtesy of Gillian Bowles, a certified teacher of Louise's Heal Your Life course--

I am worth loving
I do not have to earn love. I am loveable becasue I exist.
Others reflect the love I have for myself.

Affirmations were an integral component to my being able to drop 125 pounds without dieting. They work because they help you shift your mindset...I had to believe that I was actually capable of losing weight (I had lots of "evidence" that suggested otherwise) and I had to re-learn that I deserved healthy...I sure didn't feel I was worth it.

If you struggle with your weight, give some affirmations a try. They can't hurt...and what have you got to lose but some old negative ideas...and maybe a few extra pounds?

Believing in Yourself Critical to Weight loss Success on the Biggest Loser

One of the biggest weight loss challenges overweight people face is believing in themselves. This is at the core of my Refuse To Diet theory. We somehow have absorbed the message that we don't deserve to be slim and healthy...we aren't worthy of it.

This appeared even on the Biggest Loser Television show recently. When one of the other "contestants" was sent home, one of the remaining folks felt it was difficult to continue. He really struggled with feeling deserving of being there.

We can go on all sorts of diets and every exercise routine in the world...but if we do not believe we deserve the gift of health then we will not succeed. Not in the long-run. In order to achieve and maintain, permanent weight loss you must come to know in your heart that this is your birthright.

Diets don't work because they don't address these issues. They don't fail because we are weak...it isn't about willpower...it is completely our mindset about our ability to lose weight and our deserving a healthy, slender body.

I loved how this beautiful "Loser" put it, he said that he realized he had always run from his feelings and it was time to start running towards...and through...them.

You probably don't have access to Bob or Jillian to help you face your emotional "issues"...you can get other help...and you can start working on improving your sense of worthiness right now, at home. Write down some positive affirmations about you...it doesn't have to start with anything to do with your body...just about you as a human being. Now, practice saying those affirmations over and over all day long. Every time you feel negative, say the positive affirmation.

Before long, you will even begin to believe it...and that's when you know you are making progress...and that's when you will really start to see and feel the results!

I know that you deserve a healthy, energetic and slender body...and I know that you can achieve it! Go for it!

Weight Loss Challenge Why Do I Feel Like &*# Today

I had a rough day yesterday...never seemed to quite focus or feel right...and I was wondering why that was. I wanted to eat and sink into bed and do nothing.

This can be a huge challenge to losing weight--not because it happens just once, but if it happens from time to time, there may be a reason for it that you deserve to identify. By figuring out what triggers these moods we can help prevent them in the future.

For me, this particular mood was largely triggered because I got off my normal routine of exercise and affirmations. I always feel better when I do them both.

Yesterday I didn't do my affirmations...I did put other positive things into my brain, but the affirmations and mirror work are a real positive force for me that I missed.

I also got sidetracked and didn't do my 15 minute workout routine.

These 2 things combined started my day "off" and I never quite got back on track even though I worked at it all day.

The point is not to berate myself over this. The point is to learn from it. So, I'm going to be sure I do my 15 minutes and my affirmations today, knowing that I feel better when I do. It would be easy to say "why bother" or "15 minutes can't make that much difference" but I know that it does...and I deserve to feel my best...I am worth spending that 15 minutes on myself!

I Said I Was Ugly

Back in high school (that was a long time ago)...long before we knew about the Law of Attraction I remember when I would say I was ugly. My best friend said she didn't think I really believed it, because she could see that I was beautiful, and if I was really ugly it would show.

Interesting...

I believe what happened is that I repeated the negative affirmations of "I am ugly" and "I am fat" so often that it was a belief which became true...I became fat and later when "fat" wasn't ugly enough, I became obese. For me, being "ugly" was a statement that I was not lovable, that people wouldn't be attracted to me...

This meant my "job" later was to change that belief. I had to become aware when I made negative affirmations in order to change that pattern.

It is easier to change our thoughts before they become ingrained--if you catch yourself saying a negative affirmation like "I am ugly" or "I am so fat" then stop yourself now. Each time we catch ourselves and stop the negative affirmation it helps break the pattern and reduces the likelihood of it manifesting.

If you affirm "I am ugly", you will be given the opportunity to live that--no matter how beautiful you are physically from birth.

Perhaps like me you will become fat. Or perhaps you will become angry or bitter...ugly on the inside. Or perhaps you will become ill or have an accident or hurt yourself.

None of these are pleasant ideas...and of course our true beauty is on the inside, but that doesn't mean that we have to be ugly on the outside just to prove a point!

Let us all live our most beautiful, healthy lives...inside and out! This takes getting our mindset in the right place so that we are using this powerful tool for health and weight loss instead of illness and weight gain.

Repeat after me: I am healthy, I am happy, I am beautiful, I am willing to change my past beliefs about my body and myself!

Take small steps every day to change your mindset and you will have success! Be gentle with yourself while doing this. None of us gained weight overnight--even though sometimes it feels like it! It took time to develop those negative patterns. The good news is that by being aware, we can change them and create new, positive patterns!

Once more with feeling! I am healthy, I am happy, I am beautiful, I am willing to change my past beliefs about my body and myself!

Healthy Body Starts with Healthy Thoughts

If we want to live a healthy life, to have a healthy body, we must first think healthy thoughts.

I remember when I was first exposed to positive thoughts, affirmations and the power of our thinking. When someone would catch me as I said something negative (like I'm fat, or, what a bad day I was having) I would look at her and say, "Well, it is TRUE"...it may have been true...after all objectively I was fat...or it may have seemed true (the day just was, it wasn't "bad")...the point really was that it wasn't the words, but it was the feeling behind the words that was so important and that kept me stuck.

When I said "I'm fat" I wasn't been detached or objective, commenting on my body shape or physical structure, like I would if I said "I am 5 feet 6 inches tall"...instead there was judgment (a lot of judgment!) built in...I was saying I was "fat" but I felt like fat=ugly, fat=bad, fat=lazy, fat=unloveable, fat=....well, you get the picture!

And I judged the day, when in reality it wasn't bad. I may have had some experiences during the day that frustrated me, or where I because angry or sad...so I said the day was bad. But similar experiences on other days might not have triggered those feelings...so it wasn't even the experience. This proved to me it is totally how I feel about it, and my feelings are based on thoughts and beliefs.

At first this "control" was a bit scary, but the good news is we can change our thoughts. When our thoughts change our feelings, our beliefs, our judgments change, freeing us to start totally fresh.

Two of the tools and teachers that have worked well for me in this process are

• Louise Hay, particularly her book and DVD You Can Heal Your Life
• Esther and Jerry Hicks, specifically, Ask and It is Given

Of course being aware of a situation can be an important part of our ability to change it. We can't really lose our excess fat if we don't believe we are overweight...if we are happy with our body where it is.

The balance is to objectively recognize the situation and learn to love ourselves through it...we might start of judging, but we can change that! We change our thinking and then we change our lives...and our bodies!

Weight Loss Tip: Do What Works for You Not What Works for "Them"

We are all different and sometimes that means what works for one person, ie our teachers, parents, best friends, co-workers, doesn't work for us.

This is true for just about every facet of our lives, including successful weight loss.

I firmly believe there is no one plan, diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle that will work for all of us. What is universal is how much our attitude plays a role in our weight loss success.

One of the best weight loss tips I can offer is for you to find something that helps you to feel good about yourself and moving towards your health goals...in other words, be loving towards yourself...and you will have success.

On the other hand, if you are constantly criticizing yourself and the progress you are (or are not) making, comparing yourself to others then you will not have success. At least, not permanently.

Don't "should" yourself into further failure, as in

• It should work for me, it is how Sue/Mary/Bob lost weight
• I should be able to stick with this

Criticizing ourselves and "shoulding" ourselves only makes us wrong and puts our focus on what we don't want. Shift that focus to what you DO want.

So look at what you are doing a little more objectively and with love. Evaluate it as you would help your best friend out...without judging her as wrong or bad. And if you find that what you have been doing isn't working, then be open to the possibility that something else might work for you and it is time to try a different path.

Begin to focus on positive things that work for you, help remind you of your success, how you deserve health, what your goal is, and that you can do it.

Here are some ideas or tools that have worked for me or people I know

• Daily affirmations
• Dream board (or vision board) with images that represent the body & life you want
• Meditation, or visualize your healthy body
  
• Pictures of yourself when you were a healthy (healthier) weight
• Post positive messages on your mirror
• Picture of a bikini
• Find a weight loss (or walking) buddy
  
• Loving notes in or on the cupboard/freezer/frig reminding you to think before you eat
• Listen to (or watch) positive body image messages
• Write in a journal WHY you want to change your body, your successes & challenges
• Express gratitude for the current level of health you have & the possibility of even more

You don't have to do them all...and not all of these techniques will work for you, so feel free to use what feels good and throw away the rest! Or use them to springboard an entirely different idea that helps YOU...and if you come up with one, let me know what it is--post it in a comment here so other people who are struggling can benefit from your weight loss success!

Wash Away the Fat

I was washing my face this morning and had a realization...how many times when I wash my face am I looking for the imperfections? Instead of focusing on what is "wrong" in the mirror, how about I put my attention on what is "right?"

I like to do affirmations in the mirror...I do that most days. This morning I did not...because I was enamored of the sunrise, so I did my mini workout and affirmations in the glory of the view outside.

So when I went to wash my face, it was my first "visit" with my image today. I noticed that my first reaction was to be self-critical! Wow! That was an eye-opener! I've been working at being loving towards myself and positive...and still these thoughts do come up.

Was it because I had not already done affirmations in the mirror that the less-than-positive thoughts came up? Or was I just more aware of my thoughts this morning.

I'm going to guess that my awareness level was up...

Fortunately, because I was aware I was able to change my thoughts right then.

This is my goal whenever I have any thought that is less-than...of course sometimes I am more successful at it than others, but it is a great goal.

I apply this process to my image--not just my face, but my entire body. That is one of the main ways I have been able to lose 125 pounds. Weight loss and mindset really do work together! When I think that I ugly or notice some fat that is hanging around and feel negative about it...when I do that, it tends to hang around longer!

On the other hand, when I notice some fat and recognize that it is just a remnant of some past thoughts and focus on the strength and health of my body...then I notice that the fat tends to release and disappear. And in the meantime, I feel emotionally a lot better--talk about a win-win situation!

Losing weight through positive attitude and positive thinking is possible. It may not happen overnight, but it will provide you with lasting health. Sometimes losing weight starts with washing your face!

Weight Loss Tip: Count Blessings Not Calories

The universe loves gratitude. I've heard that so many places--from many, many

teachers including Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Abraham-Hicks, Bob Proctor and so many

more.

I have found this to be true regarding health and fitness and weight loss, too. Which leads me to this weight loss tip about counting blessings.

When I am grateful for the health I currently have it actually sets me up to

experience improved health. When I feel the gratitude in my heart that I no longer

have cravings controlling my life, that I can eat what I want and achieve and

maintain a healthy weight...that feeling is so liberating that it reinforces that I

have a "normal" relationship with food.

Start wherever you are now and be grateful for that. Be grateful for your desire for

health. Be grateful for your willingness to change. Be grateful for the potential in

your body for perfect weight.

We are so tempted to live in the future...not remembering and aknowledging where we are right now...and what we have right now. This is where we tend to come from when we count calories. Instead of enjoying and savoring where we are, we are thinking about the future outcome.

When we count calories we are being restrictive.

When we count blessings we are open to abundance.

I am so blessed to have this healthy body that moves easily and carries my spirit throughout the day. I thank God for the energy I feel in my body, for the clean air that fills my lungs and water to quench my thirst. I am grateful for my reliable feet, my strong legs and arms that enable me to accomplish so many things every day.

By being grateful for what I have now, it does not mean that I don't want more! I can always desire increased health, more endurance, strength. Part of our human nature is to want more and to be better. There is nothing wrong with that.

My gratitude reminds me that there are so many things in this world--including my body--that are miraculous and amazing...things that are to be loved and cherished...cared for and nurtured.

Gratitude then sets in motion a glorious cycle of love which then brings us more to be grateful for.

Thank you, God, for all the blessings I have in my life. And thank you, readers for your love and support.

To your health! You can achieve it. The potential is in you. Claim it with your gratitude and you will be amazed to see your weight begin to drop.

Weight Loss Without Dieting Tip: Don't Eat and Drive

Another tip for losing weight with out going on a diet is to avoid eating while you drive.

Because you are focusing on your driving...at least I hope you are...eating while you drive is at best a semi-conscious event.

Not only are you less aware of what you're eating--so you'll be inclined to eat more and enjoy it less--the options you typically have for car food are limited...and tend to be high fat and/or sugar.

Instead of eating behind the wheel, stop the car to eat. Be aware of every bite. Choose foods that you really want to nourish your body with--instead of selecting foods base on "can I eat it and not make a mess of my clothes?"

Give yourself those few extra minutes to be able to eat in a more relaxed and conscious way and you will naturally find yourself eating less, being less stressed and losing weight.

Another reason people tend to eat and drive is out of boredom! This is especially on long trips, whether it is a lengthy commute to work or a road trip.

Rather than eating to keep yourself preoccupied, use this time to expand your mind instead of your hips--listen to a book "on tape", practice your affirmations (but don't try to meditate while you drive!) or just sing and do things that bring joy to your body. Any of these activities will help your overall health and help you to lose weight--without being on a diet!

That's the road I'm choosing to motor down!

Weight Loss is Possible When You Change Your Thoughts

If you are keeping your thoughts on the positive...on the possibility of health...then you can achieve a healthy weight.

It doesn't matter what you weigh now.

It doesn't matter if you have not had success in the past.

It doesn't matter how big (or small) your parents are.

It is all in your hands...well, really, it is in your mind! Point is, it is in your control.

Be aware of your thoughts...how often are you berating yourself for eating something you "shouldn't"? How often do you speak negatively about your body--your size or your physical condition?

Become conscious of your thoughts and ask yourself, is this what I want to have occur in my life? Do I want to continue being overweight, out of shape or to constantly have cravings for foods that are not the best for my body?

If the answer is "NO!" then you can begin to work on changing your thinking. Focus on what you DO want. Repeat that over and over. I suggest you focus on the health aspect of it rather than a specific pound goal...

Instill this new thought into your mind...it will take lots of repetition. You didn't get the negative thought patterns in just one try! You are planting new thoughts that will overtake these old ones...be consistent...and patient with yourself and you will have success!

To your health! You deserve it! You can achieve it!

See Yourself As You Want to Be

I'm currently reading a book written in 1954 titled "TNT The Power Within You"...it has a lot of the same teachings that I have gotten from Louise Hay, Abraham-Hicks, Bob Proctor and other fantastic teachers of the Law of Attraction.

I love the language that the author, Claude Bristol uses...he was a psychologist and former newspaperman...a very observant guy...and he teaches how we can use the power of our minds, of the subconscious to achieve anything we want.

I have been using these principles...and that is how I have lost 120lbs, so I know they work...I'd like to share some of his words with you.

See yourself as you want to be!

Look in the mirror. Size yourself up. Are you the man or woman you want to be? If not, gie yourself the suggestions that can help make you what you desire. See a mental picture of how you would like to appear to others....Superimpose this mental picture upon the actual image of yourself before you. See the changes you must bring about in yourself, as though they had already occurred! Repeat this visualization day after day,night after night.

If others criticize you or don't believe you are capable of doing what you want to do...don't accept their suggestions!...Maintain your belief in yourself! If you lose this, you lose everything. All success, big or small starts with faith in self and faith in the creative power within. You must have it, and you must retain it--to go from where you are to where you want to be!

Say to yourself: "Each day I am going to improve and eventually I will remove the faults I discover in myself. Each day I am going to attain greater control of my mind and emotions. Each day I am going to overcome more of my fears and worries and other destructive thoughts. Each day I am develping greater health, happiness and prosperity. Each day I am going to find finer opportunities for serving others an the doing of worthwhile things. Each day...!"

See yourself as you want to be...look in the mirror and picture yourself in the body you desire, with the health that you deserve to have...the happiness and health shining from your eyes. See yourself and feel it in your heart. Know that this works...because I have done it! And you can to!

My Time is NOW and I am Ready

This is a quote from Dr. Barbara DeAngelis...I was listening to a talk she gave a while back and it really resonated with me. She wasn't talking about weight loss and health goals, but she was spwaking generally about anything and everything. Her emphasis typically is about love and relationships...and during this talk she was talking about our purpose and inter-connectedness.

The key point to come away with is that it is YOUR commitment that matters.

Declare that you are ready. Repeat with me, "My Time is NOW and I am Ready!"

Let's try that again--with more feeling. Put your hand on your chest so you can really feel the words as they resound through your body, "My Time is NOW and I am Ready!"

Much better! Now you are ready. To be the person that YOU are meant to be.

You can do ANYTHING. You can BE anything. Follow your heart and you will create YOUR best, healthy, fit body.

"My Time is NOW and I am Ready!" That is a great general, positive affirmation! OK, now it is time to go workout.

Program Your Mind to Lose Weight While You Sleep

One of the keys to help you lose weight, or make any positive changes in your life, is to program you mind to think in new ways.

Here's a tip from Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books:

Give yourself "thought commands" before you go to sleep.

Basically, this is setting your intention for the next day and making positive affirmations. Do this as you lie in bed and are drifting off to sleep.

By doing this, you are putting positive information into your subconscious (your metaphysical bank account) and giving it time to go to work on that information. You wake up having already earned interest on that account--even if you are not consciously aware of the process or result.

For example, you set the intention that you are moving forward with your health goals. State your affirmations in the present-tense, first person.

Here are some examples, pick a couple that feel good to you.

• I desire healthy foods.
• I love myself and take care of my body.
• I make healthy food choices easily.
• I move my body effortlessly throughout the day.
• I exercise joyfully on a regular basis.
• I am open to the possibility that I can achieve my ideal body weight.
• I have perfect health.
• My body burns fat efficiently.
  

If you find yourself negating what you are saying, keep repeating the affirmation...or try one that you can say without having any negative responses. Be sure to keep your thoughts positive as you drift to sleep.

Sweet & healthy dreams!

Setbacks, Imperfections and Challenges

We are human and therefore aren’t “perfect” (as much as we might like to be.) This is true in all of our behaviors—including our health and fitness goals.

Even with the best intentions, it is easy to stray from our chosen path if we don’t pay attention and be present.

One of my personal challenges is allowing myself to get so busy that I don’t take ample breaks…or I will work until late in the evening. I will “forget” to meditate or to eat…or even just to get up and move.

In the very short-term, these added moments seem like they move me forward. Truth is, they ultimately set me back—either by causing greater fatigue, disharmony and even weight gain.

Rather than beat myself up over it, my goal is to be loving and gentle and guide myself firmly and lovingly back to the path that I know works for me.

This gives me the opportunity to recognize how my body feels and to evaluate that. Have I been paying attention? I also have the chance to reflect on my behaviors…I have I picked up some new “bad” habits…or perhaps slipped into an old familiar pattern that is not in my best health interests?

The reason to look at any less healthy choices I have been making is so I can stop or modify them and replace them with healthier ones—not to flog myself for my “mistakes”. Those actions were in the past (even if it was just yesterday, or even just an hour ago!)

It is up to me to see how I can do better NOW and in the future.

I choose to proclaim what I have done RIGHT and focus on continuing those behaviors and improving those positive skills!

Mega-Doses of Love

This is a continuation of Make Love Not War post from Mar 13...the idea being that we tend to fight and criticize ourselves...today we talk specifically how to change that so we can be our healthiest selves possible (and that includes achieving our weight loss goals!)

The way to combat negative thoughts is with mega-doses of love.

First, be aware of the negative thought and break the habit. Tony Robbins calls it pattern interrupt--do something to help reinforce a change. A rubber band around the wrist that you snap whenever you notice a negative thought can give a small uncomfortable sensation ("negative association") that will help remind you to not be negative.

Be sure to follow that up with a positive thought or affirmation and a gentle loving sensation ("positive reinforcement") which could be as simple as rubbing the same wrist gently.

In order for this to work you need to have at least one thing you can say positive about yourself--

My challenge for you today is to find one thing about yourself that you love (or at least like--more than one is great, but get at least one). Think of something you are grateful for that you do or quality you have. If you absolutely cannot think of anything you already are or do, then where is it that you want to go? And have your positive be about that...for example, "I am open to the possibility of attaining health". There are a lot of people who are not open to it--so that is a wonderful attribut.

Practice your pattern interrupt...it can be with the rubberband or just with words. T Harv Eker uses the rubberband technique but also suggest saying "cancel, cancel" whenever a negative thought comes into your head, and immediately replacing it with a positive one.

A good thing to keep in mind is that negative association works best when combined with positive reinforcement. In other words, don't just do the uncomfortable...reward yourself.

Think of when you trained a puppy or a child...did they learn best if you only scolded them? Or did they do better, more quickly if you had a brief NO followed by positive direction delivered with love? You too learn best when treated with love...and you deserve to be treated with love!

Make Love Not War

"Make love not war" was a very popular slogan during the 60s...I still like the philosophy and I see that it is something that I can apply most to myself.

How many different negative thoughts do you have about yourself in a day?

How often do you catch yourself repeating the same negative thought?

Whether we want to admit it or not, these thoughts are affirmations...we are "making firm" the thoughts by repeating them over and over. So by repeating or affirming these negatives we are making them bigger, truer and more powerful in our lives every day.

Let's stop that! We deserve to get better and better and build ourselves up rather than tear ourselves down.

That doesn't mean you will be positive 100% of the time. We all have negative thoughts and self-doubts from time to time.

What is important is for us to move away from the negative and move toward the positive.

We have ample opportunity for negative thoughts to dominate our minds if we allow them too...because we hear or read about standards for beauty and health...because we compare ourselves to others...

Whether your negative thoughts are about not being able to stick to your healthy eating goals, or how big your hips are, or thin your lips are, or that you are lazy... unlovable... unworthy... ugly... these negative thoughts do not serve you.

And they are usually not accurate! I am here to tell you that you are worthy. You are lovable. You are beautiful. I know this to be true...even if you do not yet know it.

From my personal experience I can tell you that all these negative thoughts lead to a lot of emotional eating...because food can make us feel good--at least temporarily. So if for no other reason, you deserve to stop the negative thinking. In fact you must stop it in order to achieve permanent, healthy weight-loss.

The good news is that you can change your thinking and you can come to believe what I already know is the truth about you--and me--about each and every one of us!

In my next post I'll give you specific ways to help begin those changes.