Change the Background Noise

What is your first thought when you get up in the morning?

For me, my first thought upon awaking used to be about my weight. And then, my second, third, fourth, and eight-hundred-fifty-seventh thoughts reinforced my belief that I was hopelessly fat, and would be for the rest of my life.

The thoughts that we have tend to run like tapes in the background of our lives. We tend to think and therefore reaffirm the same thoughts over and over again until we come to believe them. The only way to break out of this pattern is to change the background noise and create a new message in your mind.

Try this: every time a negative thought pops into your mind, replace it with a positive one. For example, if you find yourself saying, "I can never lose weight," replace that with "I lose weight easily." If you always say, "I am so fat" when you see your reflection in the mirror, try saying, "I am getting thinner every day."

It takes some practice to get in the habit of noticing your negative mental talk, but if you can become aware of it, you are on your way to overcoming one of the greatest obstacles to weight loss success.

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." -Henry Ford