Something people don’t consider strongly enough is just how much of getting healthy and fit is in their head. Most people assume incorrectly that if they do enough exercise, they will lose weight. They also assume that they can eat anything they want as long as they do so in moderation. If moderation worked, nobody would be overweight because it would be so easy to execute!
The most important thing for anyone undertaking a healthy lifestyle is to erase negativity. Thinking about or focusing on the things you can no longer or should no longer be eating is negative thinking. Instead, here are some things I’ve done to erase negativity and embrace my healthier lifestyle:
- Make a list of foods you CAN eat. You’ll be surprised at how much food you love and already eat you can continue to eat while losing weight and getting healthy.
- Stock your pantry and refrigerator with good foods and whole ingredients. Having snacks or food that’s good for you to begin with make it easier to focus on the positives of cooking healthier foods.
- When you have a craving or false appetite, think of something you enjoy that is a healthier option: nuts, fruits, or even some jerky or a slice of bacon will often do the trick.
- Fake it until you make it. If you find yourself being negative, literally pretend everything is okay and that any negativity you are feeling is fake and force yourself to think happy thoughts. This sounds corny and ridiculous, but it works! This is how I got myself to enjoy running. Every time I would feel the dread of an upcoming run, I would instead force myself to be happy about it. I didn’t even think of positive aspects; literally, just forced myself to be happy. The craziest part: it worked.
Your mind is your strongest asset when adopting a healthy lifestyle. It’s up to you to make yourself succeed by having a positive mindset to push through and persevere. Getting healthy isn’t easy, but it can be made easier by having a good attitude.
You say How to erase negativity which I think is good but surely you cant erase it all. I have been trying to lose some weight and read a little article https://www.bathing-suits.info/2-week-diet-my-experience/ that women lost almost 15lbs eating healthy and being positive in the mind. Do you really think positive thinking really works or is it like a placebo effect?
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You’re right; it’s impossible to erase it completely, which is why I think of my process as a journey, not working toward a destination, so to speak. Sure, a goal weight is a destination of sorts, but once I got to my goal weight, I had to continue with the healthy thinking and eating to maintain my weight. I’ve been fairly successful with some ups and downs, but ultimately, like anyone, I struggle from time to time with banishing negative thoughts. With that said, I think having a positive attitude about the food you eat and the process is more than a placebo effect. In my experience, it’s been a driving force behind my success, and continues to drive me to getting back to my original weight goal (since I gained some weight on my trip to Ireland and Scotland this year).
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Amen! This is a great post and feedback!
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