Obesity is a growing health problem and has been linked to a host of various health issues such as cancer and type 2 diabetes.
To help put the ‘obesity problem’ into perspective, according to The New Zealand Ministry of Health, almost 70% of adults in NZ are either overweight or obese. A number only surpassed in the English speaking world by the US.
Eating more veggies, fewer carbs, less processed foods and exercising more seems to be one of the most common solutions given by health officials. However, one thing people tend to overlook when it actually comes to weight loss is the power of the mind – a positive mindset.
The way you think about your physical health and your perception of food plays a significant role when it comes to losing weight. Although nobody really talks about this part, even when it’s just hiding in plain sight.
What Does A Positive Mindset Have to Do with Body Size?
Glad that you asked, most people would wonder how body size and mindset go together. Well, here’s how; our mindset is the total of our expectation, attitudes and various beliefs that guides how we live and what we do. You are first what you think, before what you eat.
Many people tend to believe their genetics have a big role to play in their shape and size. Some people think that they are overweight because it runs in the family or the medication they are taking. This kind of pessimistic thinking can make the individual a slave to their thinking. Therefore, they may tend to exercise less and refuse to cut down on their food portion.
The mere thought of thinking that you are powerless over your weight problem can set a whole chain of events that will work in your mind’s favour. A recent study published in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics revealed that participants who believed and expected to lose a certain amount of weight did so and even more during a one-year test period.
Why Are Positive Thoughts Good for Your Health?
As stated earlier, we are what we think. These same thoughts guide our actions and form most of our decisions. Research has revealed that people who think and believe that they can lose weight will exercise more, eat more veggies, drink less soda and avoid junk food. From here onwards, a cycle develops, and they become even more motivated and determined to turn their weight fortunes around.
Several studies have also highlighted that optimistic people are less likely to avoid problems and more likely to come up with a solution when they arise. By taking charge of difficult life situations, such individuals can feel in total control of their destiny and are poised to make the best of what life throws at them.
Two people might adopt the same exercise regimen at the same period and lose almost the same amount of weight and yet have different perspectives about their progress. Several studies have suggested that people who are more satisfied with the amount of weight they have shed over a while are more likely to maintain that weight. Thus, the happier you are with the amount of weight you lose over a certain period, the more likely it is that you will maintain it and keep going.
What Can You Do to Develop A More Positive Mindset?
Remember, several factors can contribute to an individuals body shape and size. Some of which include your biology, health, diet and environment. Your mindset is only one slice of the pizza, but a very important and often overlooked slice nonetheless.
Here are three science-based tools that you can employ to adopt a more positive outlook regarding your weight and health in general.
1. Don’t deny or deprive yourself
When dieting, your focus is on cutting calories, counting points, removing certain food groups or some kind of denial or deprivation. However, making a list of some of the healthy food you love and then tailoring your meals to include more of them is a much smarter and better option. This adds a much more positive spin on things.
2. Share Your Progress
People can often focus on their overweight body and drown themselves in unhappiness and misery. On the contrary, we fail to celebrate small milestones and encourage ourselves for making small but positive steps forward.
Paying attention to what is going well; whether it is no snacking during the day, a 2km walk on a hot day or walking 10 thousand steps a day, is recommended. Also, you should endeavour to write them down and note down why those milestones should be celebrated. Sharing these small achievements with a close friend, family or on social media can also help you motivate others and feel much better in the process.
3. Design Your Own Anti-Stress Routine
There are days when you eat more pizza slices in one day than you intended for the whole week. Remember, no one food or meal can singlehandedly make or break your weight loss efforts, and you should remind yourself that you are doing the best you can.
Calorie counting and undue obsession over what you eat can cause an increased level of a stress hormone known as cortisol in the body. This hormone is linked with increased sugar cravings, voracious appetites and weight gain.
No one meal can help you lose or gain all the weight in the world. Focus on creating a routine of your own for handling stressful periods such as listening to music, taking a walk, reading a favourite book or hanging out with friends. Do not focus too much on your body at the detriment of your mind. Remember, you are what you think!
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