Weight Loss Secret Weapon?  Use Your Noggin!
Laura M. Turner

Yes, Spring is here!  The bad news is, this often means New Year’s resolutions of health and fitness have given way to mid-winter boredom and unhealthy no-no’s.  This year, breathe new life into your goals and stay on track to your fighting weight.  How? Use your head!  In this article I’ll show you just how. 

Step #1 Reinforce Your Commitment To Change

It’s important during the process of losing weight and learning to create healthier habits not to give your mind the luxury of a negative thought.  Therefore, if you become too focused on the outcome you could become discouraged. Don't just give up!  It is important to remember your potential and stay committed to reaching it.  This takes serious mind discipline. 

Begin reinforcing your commitment by keeping your goals in writing.  Then if negative thoughts about body image, weight loss goals or overwhelming feelings drift in, let them go by refocusing on the positive work you are doing. 

Here's a trick to replace negative thoughts with positive, affirming ones: Jot down three positive affirmations on index cards. Use positive statements like: “I love my body!” Or “My body is moving toward the perfect weight for me.” Or, “Each day I am perfect, and today my body is reshaping in the light of my perfection!”

Next, when you feel the whirlwind of a negative thought, pull out a card. Say your statement out loud or read it to yourself several times.  Often just the affirmation of positive expectation is enough to stop a negative thought in its tracks.

Step #2 Employ Cognitive Tools:

Next to positive affirmations there is another superior tool that will not fail you when you’re feeling vulnerable:  creative visualization. 

Creative visualization allows you to dream! Here, give your mind permission to take off.  I often advocate using your journal to document your dreams, or simply give yourself permission to day-dream about the perfect body for you.  Next you'll imagine your mind reshaping your body, allowing you to become the sculptor in your very own design. 

To do this, take 20 minutes each day to be quiet, dream in your journal or just do nothing.  Sometimes it’s just as important to practice quieting your thoughts and keeping them positive than it is to exhaust yourself by over exercising and burning out.  During this “me” time, cleanse your mind, imagine it washed free of negativity, dream of the possibilities.

Step #3 Constantly Educate Yourself:

If you’ve given yourself time to dream you can already begin to see your body’s potential.  Now, take some time to educate yourself in the field where you’ve committed to make the change. 

To learn more about exercise and proper nutrition, browse through the book store and see what’s available.  Also, lots of communities have classes where you can take non-credit courses to teach you about exercise, nutrition and lifestyle.  Check your local Chamber Of Commerce for details.

Check online: The internet is an invaluable resource of knowledge for everyone getting on the health track.  Check out short eBooks from fitness professionals or check out online classes in health and nutrition.  There are plenty that you can take for free or for a very low fee.  Check out Barnes and Noble online
(www.barnesandnoble.com) they often have non-credit courses pertaining to all of your favorite health subjects. 

Many healthy websites also have newsletters you can subscribe to which will give you great information or links to online communities.  Another great source, and the hub of all things health, is Web MD online.  Check them out here: www.webMD.com

In Conclusion:

"Knowledge is Power,” Said Sir Francis Bacon.  This is one of my favorite quotes of all time.  Although it is important to exercise regularly and eat healthy balanced meals, your mind is the most important muscle of the body.  Use this wisdom to your advantage.  If you begin with healthy thoughts and a healthy attitude, the weight loss journey simply becomes an enjoyable process of uncovering your day-to-day beauty.

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Laura M. Turner is a 15-year veteran fitness instructor, fitness trainer and natural health practitioner. She hosts http://www.body-and-beauty.com a website dedicated to inspiring and educating others about the benefits of creativity, natural health and fitness.  Check out Laura's latest book Spiritual Fitness: The 7-Steps to Living Well  or subscribe FREE to her online magazine The New Body News and Wellness Letter: http://www.new-body-news.com