I want to start this article by making it clear that I don’t own crystals nor will you find me burning incense to conjure the spirits. However, after several years and hundreds of clients that seem to have the same difficulty and attitude towards weight I must scream from the bottom of my lungs…STOP THINKING YOURSELF FAT!
Last week was my breaking point. I had a patient come in and the first words out of her mouth were, “this is the fattiest I’ve ever been.” I want to make this extremely clear, weight loss can be difficult but not imposable; however, if you start with negative thoughts before you even begin, you will never gain traction. As a business owner, you would never be at the ribbon cutting ceremony with a pair of giant scissors in one hand and a “going out of business” sign in the other. The same is true for wellness. You must start the wellness journey with the idea that it will be successful even if there have been struggles in the past. Here are three ways you can drop both the negative comments and those extra pounds:
Motto Madness. Find a motto that works for you. Discover two action or descriptive words that identify and define who you would like to be from a health and wellness prospective. Start by creating a list of words that your family and friends would describe you as. Keep them positive and wellness minded. Now, add some of your own descriptives to the list. The next part is a bit morbid but it works—visualize your tombstone and I don’t mean the brand of pizza. Imagine that you are very poor when you die so you can’t afford a name or a picture, you only get one word to describe what you want to be remembered as. What is that word? Add it to the list and now circle your two favorites. Mine is full and fearless. This motto is now an affirmation of what you think you are and hope to be and will set the tone of the day. The National Institute of Health has done research that backs this type of thinking.
Dress for Success. Dress for the body you want not the body you have… yet. No more safety nets because this time is the last time we lose weight! Toss your “fat” pants and your “when I am home alone PJs.” In other words, dress the body you want not the body you have. You may feel a bit weird rocking a sexy nighty by yourself or wearing those new shoes to pop into Walgreens, but that’s how we roll from now on. We are hotties and that is that!
Visualize Victory. Being able to see your achievements is important in solidifying more success. Rip out food photos you like, clothing you will be able to fit into, and new adventures you will be able to partake in after you have reached your goals. Put them on a big board and look at that board every day or better yet go digital with this transformation. Keep an album on your phone—yes, that thing I know you are holding right now. Snap some pics and add them to your victory album every day. These are personal goals and therefore you feel and look the way you want to feel and look. Are you going to be a rock climber or will you work on making that mac and cheese healthier so you can eat it more often and still attain your goal? Studies have shown that this type of visualization improves performance on the field, in the boardroom, and in your own life.
I’m an advocate of action and believe the three tactics above can become a catalyst for wellness in your life.
Be Fearless, Be Full.