What You Should Know Before You Start Your Next Diet!

Summary

Each year millions of people start their year off with a New Year’s resolution. Coming in at #1 is, of course, losing weight. In an episode of the Steve Harvey show, they showed that 92% of people will not accomplish their goal by the end of the year.

Have you ever joined a gym, gone on a diet, or bought a fitness program? If so, what happened that derailed you from reaching and keeping your goal? What brought you here to re-evaluate what you can do differently?

In this fitness program, we not only address your barriers, but we will consider, on a much deeper level, what you’ve been doing, what’s worked, what hasn’t, strategies you’ve tried, issues at home, stress, anxiety depression, past hurts and traumas that may cause you to self-sabotage yourself.

So first, congratulations on recognizing that perhaps what you did in the past didn’t work as well for you as you might have liked. Also, that you are still motivated to explore other options and change your future! You have taken the first step. Let’s get started.

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How can you take the food you enjoy eating and still lose weight? You may have to be mindful of what you buy and how you prepare the foods. Everything in moderation. We often think of going hungry and depriving ourselves when we are trying to lose weight. Shift your mindset and challenge yourself to live a healthy life. Plus! All the research that is done shows 70% of people who go on a diet will gain all the weight back and then some. How can you be in the 30% that lose weight, keep it off and live a healthier life? If you are craving a certain food, enjoy just a couple teaspoons full and then put it away. You will stay on course and have satiated your hunger.

Well, the reason is something that the fitness industry, as a whole, doesn’t want to address. In today’s article, we are going to address the “6 Things You Should Know Before You Start Your Next Diet!“

1) Self Image:

Self-esteem is directly related to our self-image. Working to build a strong self-image can permeate all aspects of your life. When you feel healthy and strong, when you feel financially secure, you know that your life is of value, you are making a difference and have a positive attitude, the sky is the limit! We all have our moments where we are feeling low and have to work hard to move beyond it. Look for ways to boost your self-image and empower your life. Do you like your eyes? Are you smart, kind, or persistent? If you don’t see the person you want to be today, consider your potential.

Moving into a positive mindset for losing weight is key to your success. Seeing yourself as being healthy and strong will prepare you for your transition to weight loss.

2) Self Talk

The key to changing the way you see yourself is to create a new story. We’ve heard the quote: “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth” by Joseph Goebbels. While he is not the best role model, it does ring true. You are creating a new frame of mind that will become your reality. If you can see it, you can be it!

Louise Hay says: “With every word and every thought you create your future.” So what do your words say about your future?

This is done by repeating the same phrase over and over again to ourselves such as:

* [First & Last Name] is marathon runner
*[First & Last Name] has a 6 pack
*[First & Last Name] loves eating vegetables
Etc…

By reading it, speaking it, and hearing yourself say it multiple times a day over several weeks, you are imprinting it into your mind and changing your internal dialog. Then when you are facing a choice moving forward, should I sit on the couch watching TV or go out for a walk, you will be increasing your possibility of making decisions that will move you toward your goal.

3) Manage Your Mental Dialog

It is not only important that you create a new self-image through self-talk but, that you also limit the negative thoughts as much as possible.

In the following video with Dr. Joe Dispenzia, he explains that when you have a habit of negative thinking, it can sabotage you. Breaking this pattern is pivotal to your success.

You are going to have negative thoughts, however, once you have a negative thought you need to refocus your mind and decide how to change the wording. For example, if your thoughts are “I can’t do this, it’s too hard” press the “pause” button in your mind and say ten times “I can do this and it’s easy!”

You may believe you cannot achieve the body you want, however, if you tell yourself you can, eventually, you will believe it. It will become your new reality.

4) Act As If

If you were in perfect shape, how would you act? Would you carry yourself differently? Would you be more confident? Most likely, you would be. You would have energy and your mood would improve. You need to be an actor playing the part of yourself in the shape you are working towards. Fake it until you make it. When you do this enough times and for long enough, your brain is trained to no longer see your body as it is now but rather how you want it to be. You will take the steps to achieve this or any goal you have in life. Tap into the power of your mind.

Sports psychologist, Martin Haggar, in his TED X presentation, talks about the mental game of sports athletes who spend hours imagining themselves making the shot and the ball going in the hoop. He also mentions how salespeople visualize giving their presentation in their minds and how well it goes. What do you see for yourself?

If your goal is to lose weight, you need to no longer see yourself in the condition you are currently in but imagine yourself with the body you want to achieve. If you want to be able to hike, climb a mountain, swim, or another activity, visualize yourself doing it.

When you see yourself in your mind having the body of your dreams, then you will be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve this kind of body.

5) Chunking

When you decide to improve any area of your life, many times we look at how far we have to go and thus get overwhelmed. So instead break it up into smaller tasks.

The problems with so many diet and fitness programs are that they require you to make too big of a change too quickly. However, when you follow the simple steps outlined in this program, which walks you through the entire process of making small changes over time, it can give you drastic results.

6) Visualize Your Day

Instead of focusing on all the weight you have to lose, concentrate on what you need to do in the next hour. Then once that hour has passed, look at what has to happen in the next hour and the hour after that and the day after that and so on… If you do, you can reach your goal. You are “chunking” and breaking your goals down into manageable, achievable steps.

So close your eyes and take a deep breath. Picture a healthy, fit version of yourself. What do you see? What are you doing with your lean, strong body? How do you feel? Hold onto that image and your feelings and come back to it often. It is your future if you are willing to work for it. Good luck and let’s get started!

Conclusion

It’s not enough to know what to do to change your life; rather, it’s crucial to develop the behaviors that enhance the likelihood of achieving lasting change. A specific set of personality traits or behaviors can ensure your success. While some individuals are naturally endowed with these traits, others, like you and me, must cultivate them. I invite you to take the performance-based personality test to determine if you possess any of these traits. Even if you don’t, don’t worry, as we will guide you in developing these traits at 10Xhabits.alphalifestyleacademy.com.