Talk Yourself Thin


by Bill Scibetta - Date: 2006-12-02 - Word Count: 1044 Share This!

Talk Yourself Thin!

In 2004 American Sports Data, Inc conducted a study of 15,015 Americans. According to this study, nearly half the participants reported that at some point during the previous year they attempted to lose at least five pounds. Another 16% indicated they had made an effort to maintain their weight. That's sixty five percent of the study population that had made attempts to manage their weight. Looking at the obesity epidemic in our country today it wouldn't be a stretch to say this group is fairly representative of our general population. Well…how did these folks do? The results of their efforts were less than inspiring. Only 20% of participants said they were very successful. That means 80% failed! If you've ever tried to lose weight, chances are you're not too surprised by these results. A recent search of Amazon.com resulted in 39,356 different weight loss books. Why do you think there are so many weight loss programs in print? The answer is simple; it is because there is not one single program out there that will make you loose weight. If there were, it would be the world's number one best selling book of all time. That's not to say there isn't plenty of good sensible information out there. If you sift through the sea of fad diets you will find plenty of good healthy programs that will give good nutritional and fitness information. If you are one of the millions who have tried sensible programs like The South Beach Diet, The Body for Life Diet, or Weight Watchers (to name just a few) chances are you failed because you talked yourself out of success.

Do you remember what you said to yourself the first time you strayed slightly off course? If it sounded something like this: "I can't believe I ate that, I'll never lose weight!" or "I've already blown it so it doesn't matter what I eat now" chances are you are in that 80% majority who haven't found weight loss success. The language you use when talking to yourself can be positive or it can be negative and it inspires your actions. What you say to yourself is what you believe so if you keep telling yourself how fat you feel or how hard it is to lose weight, then losing weight will always be difficult. If every time you see a food that you know is not going to help you get to your goal you say: "that looks so good, I wish I could eat it". Guess what? Your wish will come true. It may not be at that very moment but at some point your actions will obey your minds desire. If you want to change your results change your self talk. If you see a piece of chocolate cake and say to yourself "I am fit and healthy and I make good choices because they make me look and feel great" it will be easier to choose to make good choices at that moment and in the future. It's not the occasional indulgences that sabotage a weight loss program it's the negative self talk that brings on feelings of guilt, despair, and failure. These feelings often bring on emotional eating which brings more negative self talk. This viscous cycle can be stopped before it starts if your inner voice is conditioned to say the right thing. "I know it wasn't the best choice but it won't kill my program"" or "I may have had a few extra calories but I'm looking forward to my next workout and I'm moving forward!" instead of "I've blown it" will allow you to stay positive, avoid emotional eating and keep you moving toward you goal.

In all aspects of life whether its career, family, social life, or health and wellness, self talk is very powerful and it has a direct effect on your present and future situation. It may take some time to condition you inner voice, especially if you are one who is hard on yourself or a little on the pessimistic side. Practice being positive and exercise your attitude. In terms of successful long term health and wellbeing this is every bit as important as exercising your body. A good way to start to change self talk is through personal daily affirmations. Write out a few sentences that you will say to yourself upon waking and before falling asleep (at these times it is easier to get to the subconscious mind) and at various times throughout the day. The following are some tips for effective affirmations and self talk.

*Make it positive and proactive. - Instead of telling yourself what you won't do, tell yourself what you are doing. Example; Instead of saying "I won't eat sweets or fried foods" and "I won't be lazy" say "I eat only healthy food that makes me look good and feel great." and "I am exercising and it makes me feel great."

*Make it in the present not the future. Let the future be now as if the goal is already being achieved. Future tense "I will" leaves room for doubt. It is best to describe the goal as being achieved right now. "I am eating right and exercising, I look and feel great"

*Include feelings and strong desire. You should feel and believe that what you are saying is already true. Feelings and emotions give life to your words. Example: "I am proud of the choices I make." "I workout everyday because it energizes me and keeps me feeling strong and healthy"

*Be certain of your success. Words like "try" and "hope" really mean "maybe" or "I might". "I will try to eat right and exercise," has the hidden message of "maybe I will or maybe I won't" or "I can't" or "I don't want to." Be certain "I am making the right choices to be healthiest I can be."

Remember, self talk affects all aspects of life. If you want to make a change in your life, family life, your social life, your career or financial situation apply these tips to those goals. It may sound hokey or simplistic but it does work it. To get that fit healthy body you desire (or anything else in life) simply talk yourself into it and the results will follow.


Related Tags: fitness, health, wellness, weight loss, diet, precision fitness, lake norman personal trainer, fit

Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a National Strength and Conditioning Association - Certified Personal Trainer. In the summer of 2001 after spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill founded Precision Fitness-Personal Fitness, Inc. Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance. As a recognized expert in the field of corrective exercise and performance, Bill has contributed to numerous publications and industry websites and has co-authored two books on fitness and performance. Since opening Precision Fitness, Bill has enjoyed helping clients that range from the professional athlete (NFL, PGA, NASCAR, PBA) to the student athlete and from fortune 500 CEOs to stay at home moms. Bill can be reached via e-mail at bill@ncprecisionfitness.com.

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