Helpful Habits: Manage Your Thoughts

"Manage Your Thoughts" is another one of Weight Watcher's Helpful Habits.  It's all about positive self-talk.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG7CRzHesM3ne583z0I8go4KfNDyMcieTHf7XLqIZrIwVlSxZZoSHCbhijr-jslxopN-YAhSMI8SjUh9q282cOVO07ac9mS-FTyA4qIV_wplptZRNjrwklSTBhSAVs1gFCs723XiTT4U/s1600/manage+thoughts+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG7CRzHesM3ne583z0I8go4KfNDyMcieTHf7XLqIZrIwVlSxZZoSHCbhijr-jslxopN-YAhSMI8SjUh9q282cOVO07ac9mS-FTyA4qIV_wplptZRNjrwklSTBhSAVs1gFCs723XiTT4U/s400/manage+thoughts+cover.JPG" width="303" /></a></div><br />I've read about the benefits of positive self-talk, especially in Joel Osteen's books.  At times, the thought of being my own mental cheerleader sounds a little cheesy.  However, there have been times in my life where I have told myself "You can do this Hilary!" and I know that those positive thoughts have helped get me through those situations immensely.  I also believe that, with time, the positive self-talk just becomes natural.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C7o3cRXBkLibEGmO65Yna9asqlbho2hVekhNJRtXnVpbZDXzepEOL3PfrwAim87DANtJqTiDvwwY0ZfPKFU0nMxA7oMSq8F984WBPNkKINgjbip1yBOMDcUaRwuWcbbX_EYlLiCBFtM/s1600/manage+thoughts+internal+cover+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C7o3cRXBkLibEGmO65Yna9asqlbho2hVekhNJRtXnVpbZDXzepEOL3PfrwAim87DANtJqTiDvwwY0ZfPKFU0nMxA7oMSq8F984WBPNkKINgjbip1yBOMDcUaRwuWcbbX_EYlLiCBFtM/s400/manage+thoughts+internal+cover+1.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br />This is something I need to work on, however.  I still have more days than not where I can't help but wonder if I'll ever reach my goal.  Will I ever be able to control my food temptations/cravings?  Will I ever be able to have a week where I am perfectly "on plan" the entire week?  Do I truly have what it takes to reach my goal both mentally and physically?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4uNSd8CtuVq3ksQLxTnAwkIoCDiW5q8v_2x2oeZH74aMCSuN6uSQM2WL6pBT-RqQcWvjnGIhR6-Y64CTsU3zyxbrgeJOLuctMO8NqF9LO4pEa2RXxM6iT73fqs2shmhzEqzNkyezxGk/s1600/manage+thoughts+internal+cover+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4uNSd8CtuVq3ksQLxTnAwkIoCDiW5q8v_2x2oeZH74aMCSuN6uSQM2WL6pBT-RqQcWvjnGIhR6-Y64CTsU3zyxbrgeJOLuctMO8NqF9LO4pEa2RXxM6iT73fqs2shmhzEqzNkyezxGk/s400/manage+thoughts+internal+cover+2.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><br /><br />WW's recommends three strategies:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: #351c75;"><b>1. Befriend yourself.</b></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The idea is this - would you really tell your friend who is trying to lose weight: "You're never going to succeed.  You'll never be able to control your food cravings.  You'll never have a perfect 'on plan' week.  You don't have what it takes to lose weight and maintain it."  Most likely not.  So, if you're not telling your friend those things, you shouldn't be telling yourself those things either.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b>2. Use WW's Tools for Living "Positive Self-Talk".</b></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Under Column A, you put down your negative thoughts.  Under Column B, you put down the opposite (positive) thought. </blockquote><br /><table border="1"><tbody><tr><td style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b>Column A - </b><br /><b>Negative Thoughts</b></td><td style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b>Column B - </b><br /><b>Positive Thoughts</b></td></tr><tr><td>I will never reach my goal.</td><td>It will take time and a firm commitment, but I can do it!</td></tr><tr><td>I will never have a perfect "on plan" week.</td><td>No one is perfect. Each week I can still strive for perfection, but the plans flexibility (i.e. WPs) allow for these slip ups.</td></tr><tr><td>I don't have what it takes to lose weight.</td><td>You have a plan in place (i.e. WW) that is helping you on this journey. You DO have what it takes to lose weight!</td></tr><tr><td>I cannot resist food temptation.</td><td>Go ahead and have it, just track it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: #351c75;"><b>3. Surround yourself with kindness.</b></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Spend time with those who are nice to you and encourage you, especially in regard to your weight loss journey.  "You need and deserve the same kindness you offer others."</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pvqOlDsBj_OaGD2GrYdrZG75nEIJ04c2M9x62jWWaH7ow7EbdG3Np0kCT2BZjUQypWFOI3Zpf78s3cBaQY6LaqE0n4Pu_x33bunAtDXOnL_Fara7Pd-FumnM7kmCj20iSlTtMETm2-o/s1600/manage+thoughts+back+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pvqOlDsBj_OaGD2GrYdrZG75nEIJ04c2M9x62jWWaH7ow7EbdG3Np0kCT2BZjUQypWFOI3Zpf78s3cBaQY6LaqE0n4Pu_x33bunAtDXOnL_Fara7Pd-FumnM7kmCj20iSlTtMETm2-o/s400/manage+thoughts+back+cover.JPG" width="333" /></a></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><b style="color: #351c75;">Do you abide by positive self-talk?  How does it work for you if you do?  What are some of your mental strategies for successful weight loss?</b>

Helpful Habits Helpful Habits: Manage Your Thoughts

"Manage Your Thoughts" is another one of Weight Watcher's Helpful Habits.  It's all about positive self-talk. I've rea...

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Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight loss slump.  When I'm not losing, then it's hard to find the inspiration to write something substantial.  I know what needs to change, I just need to <i>do it</i> and stop saying I'm going to do it.<br /><br />Back in January, I <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/winning-outcomes.html" target="_blank">wrote about Weight Watchers' Winning Outcomes helpful habit</a>.  Here are some things I've stuck to:<br /><ul><li><b>Meal planning two weeks at a time:</b> for me this simply means carving out meal options for two full weeks - not actually tracking them and such.  That part I still need to work on.  However, I did plan out my day today and that feels like a huge relief!  I know I could have easily "blown it" today if I had not pre-tracked my day, overestimating how much I would have left for dinner. In fact I would have had next to nothing had I brought my usual snacks.  Must. Continue. Pre-tracking.</li><li><b>Two days of weekly activity</b>.  I've stuck to this with no problem - it was easily doable for me.  Now I've added in one extra day per week.  More about that later!</li><li><b>Eating out only one meal per week.  No Starbucks Mon-Fri.</b>  This was going well for me right off the bat.  I know applying this rule (along with the others mentioned above) had significant impacts on my weight loss... and the success I was having just a few weeks ago.  Then the Terrible Awful happened.  Then things quickly went downhill.  This rule is going back into effect...effective immediately!  While I have eaten 2 meals out this weekend - ok, fine, what's done is done - the rest of the week will be meals prepared by myself or Joel AT HOME.     </li></ul><br />Now that I've gotten that all off of my chest.... <br /><br />One way to combat my failed attempts at eating healthy lately has been to step up my exercise each week.  I'm trying to keep it varied, so as not to get bored.  While I'll still be utilizing the gym, I also found a new activity that I've been enjoying so far.  It's called <a href="http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/firm-wave.html" target="_blank">The Wave</a>.  You might have heard of this from an infomercial.  I actually read about it in <a href="http://www.allyou.com/" target="_blank">All You's</a> recent issue of their health magazine.  They touted The Wave and The Bender Ball as being some of the most effective at-home workouts available.  I've used The Wave three times so far, and all three times I've been very sore afterward, which means it must be working!<br /><br />I will be doing a full review of The Wave in an upcoming post.  In case you're curious though, I purchased mine from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Firm-05-54004-Wave-Kit/dp/B001VLFEDU/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1332767982&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.  The Wave is an arched platform that you use in conjunction with several workout DVD's. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s1600/the+wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s320/the+wave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If it gives me variety and isn't overly complicated, then I'll do it.  So far so good!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Have you heard of The Wave?  Have you tried it?  What at-home workout do you like the best?</b>

Exercise Helpful Habits The Firm The Wave Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight lo...

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