Your mind is an incredibly powerful weapon. No matter what you do in life, whether you choose your clothes for the day or go get a haircut, it all began with a thought. So, surely, whatever you want to achieve in life should always begin in the mind too, even if you’re after weight loss wellness. According to London hypnotherapist Claire Benson, author of Weightogogo, ‘when you make the conscious decision to get slim, and are completely committed to that decision, your unconscious mind starts to line up your inner resources and strengths to make it happen.’
Luckily for us, Claire has outlined her five favourite mind techniques that can help you get your wellbeing and weight loss in tip-top shape.
1. Never use the phrase “lose weight”. Claire explains, ‘when we lose something we normally want to find it again.’ So, you need to watch your language, and try other phrases like “reducing your weight”, “getting slim” or “releasing your excess weight”.
2. Utilise what the Good Lord gave you. ‘All of us have plenty of inner resources that help us do all of the things in life we do,’ says Claire. ‘So ask yourself, “What do I need to help me reduce my weight?” and listen for the answers.’ This can mean gaining knowledge about food and nutrition, determination to stick with your eating plan no matter the temptations you face, motivation so that you desire to change what you need to change, or self-belief and confidence to do it. Once you’ve identified what you need, look back at a time when you’ve experienced that quality in a different part of your life and use it to help you now.
3. Plan it. Claire advises, ‘Plan your meals so you know what you are eating and when you are eating, plan your shopping and only buy foods that will help you get slim, plan your cupboards so you never have tempting unhelpful foods close to hand.’ Once you have your plan, use your imagination to picture it going well. Athletes practice sporting events in their mind, so imagine you on your weight reduction diet. Think about people offering you fatty foods and you saying “no”, or picture yourself going for that run.