So in Weight Loss Mindset Part 1 I talked about making the decision to change, when it comes to weight loss or cravings. Hopefully you took the time to observe yourself throughout the day to see what you are actually eating, whether you are making conscious decisions in what you choose to eat and what triggers cravings for food (whether emotional or simply because you haven’t been eating enough).

You may find the activity in Part 1 quite an eye opener. You may not have realized how often you use food to comfort you emotionally or may not have realized how often you just simply eat/snack. Before we can take this any further though I think it is important to address some of the issues that can stop us being successful in our decision-making. Then I will come back to how we can progress further we our new found knowledge.

Part 2:

Before you can begin to even think about decision-making, you have to be honest with yourself. Most people trying to lose weight or combat a craving say they struggle. The number one phrase I hear from people trying to lose weight or give up something they love (like chocolate) is “I’m struggling”.

It would be refreshing to hear someone say “I’m lazy, I’ve compromised, and I’m blowing it”. You can move forward from here (I am not saying it isn’t hard to change or that you won’t struggle, but usually when people say they are struggling it is an excuse to indulge more so than a honest expression of what is happening to them).

You don’t have to feel guilty for the way you are, or to beat yourself up for not being better. It is about being true to you. Yes, you can have regrets – repenting can be one of the most powerful forms of decision, but to beat yourself up can be just as detrimental to your progress as can lying.

For example, most people who are overweight are compulsive eaters (even thinner people can be this way – I know some very skinny people who can’t give up their chocolate addiction). Now if you were to ask them or even yourself (because you most likely are if you are reading this) whether you desire to eat a chocolate bar a day for the rest of your life, you would probably answer of course not. However, if I was to ask you if you wanted to be free from food addiction, filled with spirit and contentment and joy you would probably answer yes – it is your heart’s desire. It is a desire that lives constantly inside you, even during the most painful times of indulgence. It is there but for most remains there. A desire never fulfilled due to the clutches of addiction and craving and feeling fat.

Of course, it would be false of me to say that you wouldn’t want to eat a chocolate bar. But you don’t always hunger after junk food either do you?

The temptation for the compulsive eater comes like a powerful tornado – it whips you up into a whirlwind of emotion and inspires an imagination of pleasure. These storms have triggers. These triggers are usually something like hurtful words from a spouse, feelings of depression or insecurity or of not being in control, a bad day at the office etc. I could list books worth. You become seduced by the food for its comfort and once you have fulfilled that feeling, that feeling is soon swept away and met with guilt and despair. As a result we often tell ourselves we will be stronger next time.

Many health food “gurus” or diet systems will tell you that it is perfectly ok to compromise – indulge now and then. But compromising between the two desires of the heart is not the answer.

So how can I be successful in making a decision and seeing it through? See Part 3…

Related Articles:

Weight Loss Mindset 1: Making The Decision To Change

Weight Loss Mindset 2: Being Honest With Yourself

Weight Loss Mindset 3: Figuring Out The Why

Weight Loss Mindset 4: Starting On The Right Foot

Weight Loss Mindset 5: Believe You Can, Stick To It & Refresh Daily

Filed under: Cognitive Psychology • Psychology • Weight Loss • Weight Loss Mindset

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!