I suspect all the mindset talk gets boring for some people. Like, “Yeah Heather, I get it. My thoughts are important. But tell me what to do to lose weight.”
When I started teaching this stuff 20+ years ago I underestimated the power of it myself. I was mostly focused on behaviors/actions (for myself and my clients), and talked about keeping a positive mindset.
But a positive mindset is the outcome of the actual work, which is much more than just positive thinking. It’s really about the way you see things: your Personal Paradigm. The way we interpret our environment, what people say, events – all of it – is determined by our lens.
So when someone thinks that “a meal isn’t complete without a little something sweet,” she believes that to be true. It’s one of the ways she sees things. I can tell her what to do to lose weight, but her Personal Paradigm of “sugar completes a meal” will eventually disrupt her ability to follow through.
Almost every client, past and present, might be blushing, each thinking I’m talking about her or him. I picked this one for just that reason: it is one of the most pervasive, seemingly innocent, sabotaging thoughts that nearly everyone I’ve coached starts with. Heck, I used to believe it myself not that long ago.
If this one isn’t yours, what is?
To know what aspects of your Personal Paradigm are sabotaging your weight loss, pay attention to the excuses you make when going off plan. And to where you feel resistance to making changes. These are the areas you want to dig in.
I like these two particular questions: Why am I choosing to think that? And, what if it isn’t true? Truly answer these questions around any belief that is keeping you from getting and staying on track.
Once you have awareness, decide what to do with it. You can continue to think, for instance, a meal isn’t complete without sugar, but know that it will keep you in a pattern of not getting results.
Be careful though to not let your brain take everything to the extreme, where now you don’t “get” to eat any sugar. That’s an argument your brain might make in order to keep the status quo. Don’t believe it.
Instead, shape your Personal Paradigm to align with being a healthy hottie. YOU decide when a meal is complete, sugar or no sugar. Intentionally choose what to think and let that drive your actions. Then watch your health and body transform.