Affirmations are a mainstay of New Age philosophy. In fact, Louse Hay's book "You can Heal your Life", which has many affirmations that purportedly have allowed people to transform their lives through affirmations and visualization, gives us a powerful tool in the quest for weight loss. Affirmations, whether you believe in them or not, really seem to work.
What are affirmations? They are simple statements that you repeat to yourself, out loud, looking in a mirror if possible. They are present tense statements starting with "I" - for example, "I lose weight quickly and effortlessly". Over time, they tend to 'come true' with amazing frequency.
Be prepared to feel a bit silly at first - even a bit 'fake', if you like. The trick is to keep on saying them, regardless of how it feels. Fortunately, you don't have to believe in affirmations in order for them to help you lose weight, or change anything else that you need to change about your life. As such, they are very valuable tools. Often, affirmations can help you get over a mental block, and accelerate or jump start your weight loss.
The mystery, of course, is why they work. Our best guess is that they are similar to hypnosis - except, of course, that you 'hypnotize' yourself, and you stay in control of the entire process. Affirmations probably bypass the conscious mind and speak directly to the subconscious, which is much more effective at 'getting things done' than the everyday conscious mind. After all, many of our barriers to weight loss also originate in the subconscious mind. The subconscious, therefore, is the only place in which they can be changed and improved.
Beyond that, why affirmations work is anybody's guess. There are many philosophical explanations, to be sure. For example, many people assert that thoughts and beliefs are the most powerful thing in the world, in terms of human motivations, abilities, and actions. There is a famous quote that speaks to that; it is attributed to Henry Ford. The quote is as follows: "Whether you think that you can or that you can't, you're probably right". That is, if you think that you are capable of doing something, you are most likely correct, and you will succeed. If you think you can't, however, you're right again. That belief will stop your from succeeding.
The fact is that most of the reasons for people's weight problems are mental or psychological. They fall into one of two categories, however. Some of us have psychological issues that make it seem safer to carry extra weight. For example, women who have been abused in the past might feel safe, and invisible, if they are overweight. Men don't look at them the same way. The women feel physically bigger, and more able to look after themselves. All that is fine, in a way, but it comes at the expense of one's physical health. If your psychological need to keep weight on is at odds with your need to be physically healthy, something has to change. Something has to 'give', in short. Affirmations can help you over that hump.
The second psychological reason for people's weight problems is less deep, but no less problematic. This cause is the development of bad habits, which are, of course, all too easy to develop given the preponderance of fast food and packaged foods, and the mega-portions of high fat food that most restaurants seem bent on serving us, whether we want them or not. Affirmations are very effective in helping people bread destructive eating habits. For example, you could affirm "I resist unhealthy foods" or "I choose mainly fresh, healthy foods". Chances are, you will soon see results. These may be subtle at first - you may hesitate before picking up that chocolate bar - but quite quickly, new habits will be formed and you will be able to resist unhealthy foods more strongly.
A word of caution, though - affirmations should always be phrased in the positive. Don't say "I don't eat junk food", for example. Phrase them positively - "I eat" or "I choose" - and phrase them in the present tense. That's the best way of making sure that your affirmations will speak to your subconscious mind quickly and effectively, and that you can begin establishing healthier eating habits.
Weight Loss The Group Approach
The first element is the grading of foods according to po...
weight_loss__the_group_approach.php
The Most Natural Way To Lose Weight
Geneen Roth, an author who has written many book...
the_most_natural_way_to_lose_weight.php
Contact Us
...
contact_us.php
The Mediterranean Diet Lose Weight Without Sacrificing Taste
It all comes down to great tasting, natural food. Forget what you think you know about Italian cuisine, for a start -y...
the_mediterranean_diet__lose_weight_without_sacrificing_taste.php
The Raw Foods Diet For Health And Weight Loss
Needless to say, the raw foods diet is a vegetarian diet. In fact, it contains no animal products at all...
the_raw_foods_diet_for_health_and_weight_loss.php
Just Add A Carrot For Great Weight Loss
So you start looking at weight loss plans - but that, too, presents a challenge. You see, most weight lo...
just_add_a_carrot_for_great_weight_loss.php
Effective Weight Loss For Todays Busy Lifestyle
If you have a lot of weight to lose, actually doing it can be very daunting. If one pound...
effective_weight_loss_for_todays_busy_lifestyle.php
Losing Weight With The Body For Life Program
This is a program that combines a specialized diet consisting of five carefully balanced mea...
losing_weight_with_the_body_for_life_program.php
Lose Weight By Eating For Your Blood Type Fad Or Fact
Some experts started to link this to blood type. The...
lose_weight_by_eating_for_your_blood_type__fad_or_fact.php
The Easiest Ways To Lose Weight
At the same time, the desire to be thin and...
the_easiest_ways_to_lose_weight.php
Easy Weight Loss Small Steps That Make A Big Difference
Still, when you think about it in terms of a concrete plan to lose weight, it can ...
easy_weight_loss__small_steps_that_make_a_big_difference.php
A New Diet Pill For Weight Loss And Better Health
The new generation of diet pills is much different...
a_new_diet_pill_for_weight_loss_and_better_health.php
Low Fat Eating A Lifelong Diet Plan
That sort of advice would be ridiculed today, and maybe that's understandable. But th...
low_fat_eating__a_lifelong_diet_plan.php
Sustained Weight Loss With Linoleic Acid
Of course, the ideal is this: you embark on a weight loss program, but i...
sustained_weight_loss_with_linoleic_acid.php
Historical Approaches To Weight Loss And Healthy Eating
Today, we have made nutrition a science; we think that our experts know the sec...
historical_approaches_to_weight_loss_and_healthy_eating.php
Is Your Body Image Realistic
By now, we are all well aware of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Though these disord...
is_your_body_image_realistic.php
Lose Weight In A Controlled Environment
The trick is to allow yourself to experience ...
lose_weight_in_a_controlled_environment.php
Weight Gain And Weight Loss The Psychological Ramifications
The third variable is psychological, and it may even be the most...
weight_gain_and_weight_loss__the_psychological_ramifications.php
Lose Weight With Chromium Supplements
Chromium is a natural supplement that is very helpful in weight loss. If you are trying to lo...
lose_weight_with_chromium_supplements.php
Overhaul Your Eating Habits Substitute Flavor For Fat
An alcoholic can give up drinking by just never taking a drink again - it's hard, but at least its simple and clea...
overhaul_your_eating_habits__substitute_flavor_for_fat.php
Home Delivery Service For Convenience And Weight Loss
For some of us, in fact, the problem isn't stic...
home_delivery_service_for_convenience_and_weight_loss.php
Losing Weight With The Highprotein Approach
High protein eating is a bit controversial, because some critics claim that it can be too high ...
losing_weight_with_the_highprotein_approach.php
Lose Weight By Eating The Right Carbs
Why, then, are grains at the top of many government eatin...
lose_weight_by_eating_the_right_carbs.php
Reward Yourself For Weight Loss Successes
Some diet plans incorporate a 'reward meal' once a week or once every ten days. If you are following a restrict...
reward_yourself_for_weight_loss_successes.php
Weight Loss With Traditional Foods
On the other hand, it's also true that few if any traditional societies had the problem with weight that we do. That's ...
weight_loss_with_traditional_foods.php
Eating Binges A Fact Of Human Life
However, many experts have commented that dieting ...
eating_binges__a_fact_of_human_life.php
Lose Weight With Hypnosis
If you start off okay and then hit a plateau in your weight loss, however, that may be the perfect time ...
lose_weight_with_hypnosis.php
Lose Weight With Yoga
Yoga is a system of exercise that is thousands of years old. Conceived in India, it is now practiced ...
lose_weight_with_yoga.php
Water The Simplest Weight Loss Tool Of All
But did you know that drinking enough water can also help you...
water__the_simplest_weight_loss_tool_of_all.php
The No White Foods Diet
So here, then, is a quick, easy solution to your weight loss needs, if you are in need of a 'quick' fix that doesn'...
the_no_white_foods_diet.php
Lose Weight With The South Beach Diet
What are 'good' carbohydrates? Basically, good carbohydrates are those that are close to the...
lose_weight_with_the_south_beach_diet.php
Surprising Weight Loss Tips
Actually, this does seem to be the case. Other studies show that 'lite' product...
surprising_weight_loss_tips.php
Meal Replacements For Weight Loss How Good An Idea Are They
But if that's the case, it's easy to see why this addiction might be harder to treat ...
meal_replacements_for_weight_loss__how_good_an_idea_are_they.php
Using Visualization For Weight Loss
This is a method that is gaining increased acceptance nowadays, ...
using_visualization_for_weight_loss.php
The Planned Binge As A Weight Control Measure
It may surprise you to know, then, that many people who are a...
the_planned_binge_as_a_weight_control_measure.php
Personalize Your Weight Loss Plan
This is an idea that's rapidly catching on. Companies such as L.A. Weight Loss and several others are...
personalize_your_weight_loss_plan.php
Mind Over Matter Weight Loss
Consider a parallel - another problem that many people struggle with - quitting smoking. There are ...
mind_over_matter_weight_loss.php
Lose Weight Fast With A Homeopathic Patch
Homeopathy works on the principle of 'like cures like'. In other words, proponents of homeopa...
lose_weight_fast_with_a_homeopathic_patch.php
Lose Weight With The Semolina Diet
In the meantime, eating plans that promise to help you lose weigh...
lose_weight_with_the_semolina_diet.php
Lose Weight With Long Distance Walking One Step At A Time
So by all means, if you need to start small, do so. Just start - walk...
lose_weight_with_long_distance_walking__one_step_at_a_time.php
Weight Loss The Sleep Prescription
One key component seems to be sleep. We all know how important slee...
weight_loss__the_sleep_prescription.php
Losing Pregnancy Weight
Though experts recommend that a woman gain no more than about 27 pounds during pregnanc...
losing_pregnancy_weight.php
Lose Weight With A Biannual Cleanse
For many of us, it's unrealistic to avoid the buildup of toxins altogether. Th...
lose_weight_with_a_biannual_cleanse.php
Lose Weight With A Natural Weight Loss Remedy
Though there are those that swear by it, at this point, there is a bit of confu...
lose_weight_with_a_natural_weight_loss_remedy.php
Resources
...
resources.php
Discover Your Food Allergies And Accelerate Weight Loss
But what does this have to do with weight loss? Studies show that food allergies are a leading cause of weight gain....
discover_your_food_allergies_and_accelerate_weight_loss.php
The Rule Of Three Easy Weight Loss Like You Wont Believe
Here's how it works - both in real life, and in theory. You're trying hard to r...
the_rule_of_three__easy_weight_loss_like_you_wont_believe.php
The Importance Of Saying No And What It Has To Do With Weight Loss
Geneen Roth is also interested in examining the psychologic...
the_importance_of_saying_no__and_what_it_has_to_do_with_weight_loss.php
Weight Loss Surgery A Lastditch Option That Saves Lives
A small percentage of people, however, have already 'tried everything' and found that their bod...
weight_loss_surgery__a_lastditch_option_that_saves_lives.php
Natural Diet Pills For Weight Loss How Safe Are They
Nowadays, those types of diet pills still exist, but they are not prescribed or used nearly as often as they used to...
natural_diet_pills_for_weight_loss__how_safe_are_they.php
Links
...
links.php
Easy Weight Loss For Dog Lovers
For one thing, a dog requires a minimum of one hour a day of walking ...
easy_weight_loss_for_dog_lovers.php