Mind Over Matter: Key Strategies for Weight Loss Success

Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share ofdiets over the years.  From WeightWatchers to the Zone to Sugar Busters, she feels as if she has tried themall.  While she has had moderate successin losing weight from time to time, she has never found a long-term weight losssolution.  Her weight is a point ofcontention in her marriage; her husband-who also happens to be obese-wishes shewere thin, but says he loves her anyway. The two have been separated a number of times, and even filed fordivorce once.  The stress has causedKatie to begin binge eating again.

There is hopefor Katie and others like her who feel as if they’re trapped on the dietcarousel.  The key to long-term weightloss success may not be the body, but the mind. Research indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life aremore likely to lose weight-and stay thin. But how can you have a positive outlook when you’ve been burned so manytimes before?  Is it possible to “willyour way” to losing weight?

One techniquethat has been proven effective in sports training is something calledvisualization.  For instance, a baseballplayer might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading to ahomerun.  A soccer player might visualizekicking the winning goal in a soccer match. And a golfer might visualize sinking the winning putt in the MastersTournament.

The sametechnique can be used by dieters. Visualize yourself as thin. Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes too small.  Imagine stepping onto the scale and beingpleased with the result.  Visualizeyourself saying “no” to that piece of chocolate cake or that plate of FettuciniAlfredo.  These mind exercises can helpto spur you onto weight loss.

When peoplelearn they are suffering from cancer, they are encouraged to imagine theircancer cells being destroyed by healthy cells. You can follow the same technique in order to lose weight.  That means imagining your fat cells beingdestroyed by thin cells.  Through such amethod, you can “think your way” to a healthy weight.

In addition, itis critically important that you maintain a positive attitude.  Be forgiving of yourself.  If you veer off your diet plan, simply getback on course with your next meal.  Don’tspend precious time “beating yourself up” over your failures.  Instead, celebrate your successes-in anon-fattening way.  For instance, whenyou reach a milestone-say you’ve lost ten pounds-reward yourself with a trip toan art museum or to your favorite coffee shop (but skip the cream and sugar).  Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense thatyou are triumphing over food.

Another helpfultechnique can be prayer or meditation. Some support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that usescripture verses to help inspire.  Takingstock of your life and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher powercan be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weightdifficulties.  It has been said that aclear head leads to a healthy body.  Trypraying or meditating ten minutes at the start of your day.  Chances are you will feel refreshed and readyto tackle the weight challenges that come your way.

Yet anothertechnique you might consider is role-playing. Grab your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a situationin which you might be tempted to overeat. You’ll be forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation.   This rehearsal could prove to be quitehelpful when a real life diet dilemma comes your way.  If role-playing works for job interviews, itshould be beneficial for your weight as well.  

Mind overmatter is not just a clever saying.  Itcan actually be the solution to your weight loss problems.  By using your brain power, you can developthe techniques needed to make healthy food choices.   When your mind and your body are bothhealthy, you have the best of both worlds.