I think therefore I am?
 

I've heard a lot lately about switching your thinking around can help you lose weight. Many studies have said that what your mind thinks your body will follow. So if I was to keep thinking that "I am thin" or "I'm not hungry" over and over again my body will start changing? What's your input on this?

Christina

Seeing as I'm a shrink, I'm probably the most qualified to answer this question. A good outlook certainly is a big help but thinking doesn't replace doing.

I am going to tell you something personal here because I think it might help you. I was taken away from my mother when I was 6 for abuse and neglect and placed in foster care. My mother did not always feed me so I have known true hunger in my lifetime. As an adult, I still have a difficult time with that hungry sensation and I suspect it has contributed to my weight problem. When I do get hungry I can tell myself "you are not going to starve" over and over again because at this point in my life this is true. I can make it to my next meal and this is simply a psychological battle for me and with time it gets easier. I think that might be a better example of changing your mindset and it changing your actions which then leads to concrete results. Hope that helps.

My personal experience has been that the things that you believe about yourself are the things that you live up to. By repeating those phrases over and over, and taking the actions that make them true, you will reset the things that you believe about yourself. What you desire most, to be 180, will override the desire for what ever is tempting you. You will eventually be able to be in a room full of foods that you should not eat and just not eat them. Why? Because you believe in yourself and you desire your goal more than you desire that food. It is possible, but you have to keep telling yourself...no, you have to believe the things that you are telling yourself. You have to want your goal more than anything.

Right now I am helping my son make oatmeal cookies to fulfill one of his Cub Scout achievements. I am also selling Girl Scout cookies for my Brownie daughter. Last year at this time I would eat an entire box of All Abouts. This year, I will not have any of the cookies but that isn't stopping me. I am at that point where I can do this. It does not bother me to be around these things because my desire to be 125 is stronger than my craving for any thing else.

Set small goals. The more goals you reach, the more your mindset will change. You've lost 45 pounds! That is awesome. YOU are awesome! Now, put that in your mindset.

Well, no. It's not a magic trick, and it's not a lie: if you're NOT thin, then thinking "I am thin" isn't going to do a damn bit of good.

However, thinking (even saying out loud) "I am going to lose this fat" or indeed "I am working on getting thinner" - that's thinking positively and honestly about what you're doing, and helping yourself to keep on doing it.

Negative thinking patterns tend to encourage negative behaviour patterns; positive thinking patterns tend to encourage positive behaviour patterns.

O.K. I positively want a cocktail right now!!!! D&^M. There is no vodka in the house. Alas. Glad so see you Fay.

ox
SC

I do think there is value in having some kind of internal movie about your life and body and how you want it to be. Aud...the movie could, theoretically, involve Dan Abrhams.

tee hee

I think it's all been said here...and that I can add no more. But I will reitterate. Thinking "I don't want this cookie" isn't going to keep you from eating that cookie...or even wanting that cookie, but positive/focused thinking, "I want to fit into those size 10 jeans...more than I want that cookie"...is the thought patterns I personally find helpful. I think all would agree on one thing...YOU HAVE TO WANT THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE! That Want will probably be the most "positive" and "productive" attitude you can have and it will definately see you through all the tough times and temptations you will go through....Before long...like Sylvia and myself you'll be baking cookies, and patries...or cakes and won't even consider eating it...you'll be just that focused on WHAT YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE! Hugs...Joyce

...aaaand Joyce hits the nail on the head! Yes!

I did this instinctively, in fact, the first time I was faced with a kid's birthday cake at school, and it was all chocolatey and yummy and stuff - I said OUT LOUD "If I can either have a piece of this cake OR lose weight this week, I'd rather lose weight." And that really helped me, because it was perfectly true, and just hearing it out loud made me realise what a no-brainer it was.