Staying the course
Jul 4th, 2011 | By Paddy Landau | Category: Lose WeightThe biggest problem people seem to face when attempting weight loss is staying the course — in other words, sticking to the diet plan.
If you have read my previous articles, you will know that I do not approve of diet plans, because they are next-to-impossible to stick to for important reasons.
However, even those who have renounced diet plans and moved on to a better way of eating frequently report that they struggle to stay healthy. They want to lose weight as a side effect of healthy eating, and that is a good thing; but each time a “crisis” happens, they turn right back to binging on unhealthy junk food.
What can a person do about it?
I think what is happening is the person still has a diet mentality. The thought goes, “I am eating healthily in order to lose weight.” That makes the eating habits still part of a diet plan, doesn’t it?
Along with that thought are unhelpful beliefs such as, “I shall be happy when I am thin;” “People will like me better when I’m a size 12;” and so on.
Even more damaging, I often come across the belief, “I don’t deserve happiness until I am thin,” or even just, “I don’t deserve happiness.”
Deserving Happiness
When you decide that you do not deserve happiness, you are making a judgement. When you judge other people, you make yourself unhappy. It may make you feel righteous and morally superior, but that does not bring peace and joy to the world.
Unfortunately, the habit of judging spills over onto yourself, and you end up judging yourself. “I do not deserve…” “I am a bad person…” and so on.
None of this helps you, nor does it help anyone else. If you want to be a force for good in this world, you need to start with yourself. How can you expect others to respect you if you don’t respect yourself? How can you truly love and care for others if you treat yourself with disdain and cruelty?
Start with a new thought: As long as you are not deliberately hurting others, you are a good person. Treat yourself with the same loving and gentle care as you would an insecure 6-year old. Say kind thoughts to yourself; banish all hurtful comments from your life.
I have a saying, which I love to keep by my heart: If it is not true, kind and helpful, do not speak.
Or, as the Huna principle says: Live a hurtless and helpful life.
These apply not only when talking to or about others, but also when talking to or about yourself!
Sticking the course
When you start to treat yourself with the respect that you ought, things change. Instead of trying to lose weight by eating healthily, do something different: Become healthy by honouring your body!
When you do this, you will naturally and gradually start to eat healthier and look after your body better. You will start to pay attention to the feelings that you have, instead of trying to suppress them (unsuccessfully) by binging. You will no longer be trying to stick to some diet plan, but instead you will live your life looking after yourself, not because you want to be thin, but because you are honouring your body and would find it strange to do anything else.
It takes a complete change in your way of thinking. I challenge you to change. It may take a little time and some mistakes, but if you persist in being kind and gentle to you and everyone else, it will happen.
Tweet
Related posts:
- Meet Oxfordshire Weight Loss Coach Paddy Landau Weight Loss & Slimming Consultants in Oxfordshire Check Our Directory...
- Losing weight rapidly When you go on a strict diet, coupled with a...
- Causes of weight gain If you are finding that you are gaining weight unexpectedly,...
- Choosing a Reward Suppose you do something well. You have been working hard;...
- Choose your role model carefully If you were unable to manage your finances, and often...
Loading ...
