I am really excited for Thursday, when we are scheduled to start the weight loss intensive.  The class is full.  What I envision for this group is weight loss myth-busters.  You know that set of false beliefs we all have?  By the time we're done, we are going to know the truth and be able to act on the truth with confidence instead of being at the mercy of a set of false beliefs that get triggered every time we attempt to take steps forward. 

 

The trigger I heard the most about last week is vacation.  Do you believe it is possible to plan a vacation and not suddenly panic and start to diet right away to lose as much weight as possible?  What is that doing to us, the false belief that if I don't lose weight I won't look good enough to enjoy my vacation, I won't be able to wear what I want, I don't get to feel good about myself?

I think those things are dangerous but we don't know how to fight back.  You can take three steps this week to learn to fight back.

Step 1:  Become very aware of your triggers.  Whether it is vacation, going out to dinner, a class reunion, or other special occasions try to see when you start searching for the magic answer outside yourself.  Remember, it is an inside job so any time you are looking out there, you are on the wrong path.

Step 2:  Understand what your false beliefs are.  If I don't lose twenty pounds by spring break, I won't enjoy my vacation.  I have to lose thirty pounds this month or else I won't even bother trying.  I can't lose weight without a jump start.  I eat healthy but never lose weight.  I eat when I'm stressed.  I don't have time to walk every day.  All these things are lies that are guaranteed to keep you stuck.  Shine a big, bright light on them and expose them for what they are.  No good lies.

Step 3:  Override the false beliefs.  Make a different choice.  It is possible to just stay on the slow, steady path you are on and go on vacation.  Incorporate your new strategies while at the beach, but don't switch things up.  Stay on the path.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Make a difference choice.  If you feel stressed at work, go for a walk instead of heading for the snacks.  Do some yoga or deep breathing in your office.  Do something different and reinforce the truth, which is there are many other ways to deal with stress besides eating.

Once you put these steps together and start doing them consistently, you will learn that nothing needed to change outside of yourself for you to succeed.  It was a problem of thinking, and the false beliefs we all create and hold dear are really what keep us stuck.  The good news is all it takes to succeed is to start going through them one by one and proving them wrong.  That may take some courage but I believe you are brave.

Now get moving.