Continuing to learn and grow each week, I become convinced that we can control permanent weight loss and health management through our minds. More specifically, I believe we can accomplish this through our thoughts. It is amazing to me that through all of the programs, doctors, personal trainers, weight loss coaches, etc., not once did anyone suggest this to me. Some attempted to address the issue, however it was from a fix it, band-aid it approach. An example of this is when I explained to a counselor working for a medical facility that I tend to eat higher calorie, higher glycemic foods when I am experiencing irrational feelings and emotional thoughts. They recommended that I learn to do an activity to replace the emotional eating behavior. However, I have discovered that inputting proper material into my mind and changing my thoughts about my world that I am far more in control during these emotional moments. Boredom and stress are the two major issues I deal with and I still occasionally have bad moments, however they are far fewer and I tend to choose more wisely in the foods I reach for. In addition, the positive things I am inputting have taught me how to deal with a great number of things that used to send me into an emotional poor food episode.
The most amazing thing about approaching weight loss and weight management from this angle is the positive energy that starts to take place in your life. I see far more beauty in this world we live in. I still see the horrible and negative in our world, but I no longer dwell on it, nor does it stay present in my thoughts for long. I tend to see the beauty in a person, rather than the negative. However, I have noticed that the negativity in a person tends to stand out far greater than it used to. A person I work with really leaves me drained. I used to talk with this person on a regular basis. A few weeks ago, I was speaking with him after not speaking with him for several weeks due to schedule changes. While I was speaking with him, he asked me to hold for a second while he took a call from his wife. During the call, he was very disrespectful to his wife and after he ended the call, he said the following. “That stupid fu&$#@! Woman, I would like to cram the phone down her throat. She cannot do anything right!” I was shocked and asked if he talks to his wife like that all the time. He responded, what is with you, I always talk to my wife like that and you have never said anything before. I thought to myself, indeed what is with me. However, what really concerned me was what WAS with me to allow myself to be present during such negative and destructive behavior to a woman that has devoted her life to him. The more he speaks the more offended I become. He is swirling in a world of negativity and anger. It does not surprise me that he weighs in at over 400 pounds. He laughed at me when I suggested he read Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. (I recommend this book to everyone, if you have not read it. It is one of my all-time favorites. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Win-Friends-and-Influence-People/Dale-Carnegie/e/9780671723651/ ) He added, you are wasting your money on all that crap. I now try to avoid him when possible.
During a visit to my Dentist last week, I noticed that one of the magazines had Jillian Michaels on the cover. I do not like her personality on the Biggest Loser, but this article showed a completely different side to this woman. I was relieved to hear her say that what we see on the show is far different from what goes on the other ten hours per day with the contestants. She added that if contestants do not get additional help, they would regain the weight after leaving the show. In addition, she said something I have never heard a personal trainer in my life say.
Jillian's Weight-Loss Rules
Treat the Real Problem.
Weight gain is a manifestation of other issues, not the problem itself. So losing weight can also provide an opportunity for self-exploration. If you don't look at the root of the problem, the weight will come back. Get into therapy. Ask for help.
Get educated.
You can lose weight a hundred different ways, but if you want to keep it off you have to do something you can maintain for the rest of your life. Eating healthily and exercising moderately is key; yo-yo dieting messes with your metabolism.
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Did I read correctly? Did Jillian Michaels just say that weight gain (obesity) is a manifestation of other issues? Did she also say that it is not the problem itself? Jillian Michaels just earned my highest respect and if I had heard this from someone in the industry 10 years ago, I could have saved more than thirty thousand dollars on weight loss programs that did not work long term. I am starting to like this Jillian Michaels away from the Biggest Loser. She is fairly attractive as well. In the terms of body composition that is, I would love my abs to look like hers. I know, I should desire a more masculine look for my abs, but hers are pretty close to looking like a six-pack, instead of looking like they just consumed the six-pack like mine. Okay, reluctantly I will admit that I meant to say my abs look as if I consumed a twenty-four pack. :(
The bottom line for me is the more positive input I subject my mind to, the more positive my thoughts and behaviors become. The positive transcends the negative thoughts and behaviors. This is helping me address the issues of boredom and stress and other emotional eating behaviors. In addition, it is helping me adjust my life from one of default to one of design.
An interesting read and blog post on Jillian Michaels website: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/lose-weight/wellness-team-blogs/drstevengundry/who-are-you-what-do-you-want.aspx
"Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound." --- James Allen Library
“Hard work spotlights the character of people. Some turn up their sleeves. Some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
--- Sam Ewing
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