Welcome to HWLH News Letter
November 2017 - Issue # 048 - Brain Training for Weight Loss - Can you Really Think Yourself Thin?
Hi Everybody and Welcome Back
What are some of the other terms used? Well let’s see, there’s brain washing, self-hypnosis, self-help talk, mind over matter and yes, what some call, brain training.
Can you really think yourself thin? For many people the answer is absolutely yes.
Brain training can help with both overeating but most importantly, reaching out for the right foods.
Let’s face it, those of us who have ever had to struggle with weight loss know, it’s not only about how much you eat, but what you eat.
Wouldn't life be so much easier if you actually craved eating fruits and salads over unhealthier and fattier foods?
Imagine what it would feel like to get up in the morning and say to yourself, I can’t wait to exercise today.
That would be a dream. How can we make this dream become a reality? That’s were brain training comes in.
Everything we do is an action set in motion by our brain, our own individual computer system.
Many people use this sort of mind conditioning to get the results they want for weight loss and improved health and others use it to gain wealth and success.
There are some people who are famous for motivational speaking and teaching self-help techniques. Tony Robbins probably would be the most recognized one.
But we don’t need a famous motivational speaker to brain train us, we can do it ourselves for little to no cost.
But the key to success is
consistency (even Tony Robbins makes this point quite clear).
No matter what you choose to succeed in, you must have consistency.
Isn't that true with anything we do? If we stick with something, it almost always has lasting effects.
We need to program our brains to help us achieve better health.
So how does self-hypnosis work?
Basically, it’s all about positive repetition. It works by continually feeding our brains with positive information of what we want, why we want it and how to achieve it.
If you continually do this, your brain will find ways to do it and it will eventually become second nature.
Sounds simple right?
Once you get yourself set up it’s quite easy to help tell your brain what you want and how to get there.
Before we start conditioning our brains, we must take on the following 3 tasks first.
1. Write out your future goals. This should be the first thing you should do.
This step is crucial, because it’s of vital importance that you (and your brain) know exactly what you want to achieve and why.
Be specific by writing down the exact weight you want to be. Don’t just write, I want to be thin, that’s not clear enough.
A specific goal helps you because you know what you want and that makes it easier to get there.
Click on this link to get your printable worksheets that were designed to help with reaching your weight loss goals.
2. Be reasonable with your expectations.
Weather we need to lose 10 pounds or 100, be reasonable.
Break down your goals into doable sections. 10 pounds to start seems like a doable section.
3. Remove all junk food and unhealthy food choices from the house.
This one is easy. Simply do not purchase any unhealthy foods and snacks when shopping.
Keep healthy snacks readily available.
Have a big bowl of fruit in the middle of the table with apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, or whatever you and the family like.
Also yogurt and vegetable trays are great snacks.
It’s really hard to eat unhealthy foods at home when there isn't any.
Also avoid sugary drinks. Learn to love water. Water is the most amazing drink as it constantly helps hydrate and detox our bodies.
Having bad food choices in your house is unhealthy for everyone, so hopefully the others in the family will support your decision.
So now that we have prepared, let’s look at these brain training exercises. Choose the ones that suit your lifestyle the best and give them a try.
Reading:
If you don’t mind reading, take some time and read from books that inspire healthy lifestyle. Remember, it’s all about feeding and reprogramming our brain.
When you continually put positive information in, good things will start to happen.
Here are a couple of books that are excellent just for this purpose.
My all-time favorite book for inspiration for healthy eating is called "Eating Alive" - Prevention thru good digestion by Dr. Jonn Matsen N.D. (I've read it like 5 times).
This book has been around for a while and is actually written in a way that makes it a fun read.
I've seen this book selling on Amazon for as little as 25 cents in used but good condition.
(Above are some of the books in my collection. Most of them deal with eating healthy and when you combine these with self-help books, things can really get positive.)
Of course there are thousands of healthy living and self-help books that are available.
Not that we will agree with everything that is written in them, but if we learn even one positive lesson from a book, then it was worth it.
Other suggestions are:
“The Cure - Heal Your Body, Save Your Life” by Dr. Timothy Brantley
“Awaken the Giant Within” by Anthony Robbins
“You Can Heal Your Life” and “You Can Heal Your Life Workbook” by Louise Hay
“The Six Pillars of Self Esteem” by Nathaniel Branden
Listening:
Not into reading? Then choose books and self-help programs that come in audible formats. Many books on Amazon now comes with an audible format included.
Tip:
Whether your preference is to read or listen, just get your brain exposed to all that positive and good information.
Inspirational Self Talk – The Power of I Am……..
When we tell ourselves the following, it can slowly destroy you.
I am slow
I am a loser
I am dumb
I am not successful
I am unattractive
I am unlucky
I am not worthy
I am a failure
I am unorganized
I am undisciplined
I am an idiot
I am overweight
I am average
I am stupid
I am a terrible person
By saying these negative things we invite negativity into our lives. This is because what you focus on is what becomes real.
If you hear a voice within you saying, 'You are not a painter,' then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.
Vincent Van Gogh
Instead we must invite positive influences into our lives.
Such as:
I am worthy
I am lovable
I am blessed
I am grateful to be alive
I am strong
I am vibrant
I am focused
I am attractive
I am talented
I am getting healthier
I am healthy
All day long the power of our self-talk is hard at work.
It’s important to understand that you get to choose your own self talk.
You must decide which messages you want to reinforce for yourself, you are in total control.
Keep a journal
More like a daily diary of how well you are doing and areas that you can improve and work towards.
Just keep the journal on a positive note, such as I am worthy, I am strong, I am getting there.
Post inspirational notes and photos
Constantly give yourself motivational messages. Whether it’s sending messages to yourself on your cell phone or placing post it notes with positive messages on them where you can see them through the day.
Also keep any inspirational photos close by. Possibly of your partner, kids, other family members, someone you admire, and anyone that inspires you to get healthy.
Conclusion:
Brain training is simply pumping good information and thoughts into your brain on a daily basis for whatever it is you want to achieve. The more information, the better.
I hope you give some of these techniques a try, but most of all I hope you have a little fun trying them too.
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Wishing you health and happiness
Until next time
Catherine :)
