A person wakes up one day and realizes that s/he is in bad shape, already showing signs of poor fitness and at risk for serious diseases and reduced longevity. It may be her/his doctor who has made this reality extremely clear, or it may be other events and experiences that lead someone to this realization about their current health and fitness levels. When this "awakening" happens, and not before, then a door is opened to the potential for greater wellness. Once one has grasped the seriousness of the current state and glimpsed the possibility of improving it, then the motivation to change will be there. On the other hand, a person who feels pessimistic about weight control is not likely to start, let alone succeed in the long-run. Where does the self-belief needed to drive and maintain long-term effort come from? Firstly, confidence is developed through practice - practice makes perfect they say, and practice builds confidence. A second source of inspiration is the imagination. Can the person see herself in a "transformed" state, with large and dramatic improvements in the quality and quantity of eating and exercise, health and fitness? Up to what point does it all seem feasible? Desirable? Acceptable? Sometimes there is a lack of self-belief and the ability to even imagine achieving one's goals. What is stopping the person from visualizing this change? The obstacle in this case is in their own head. It is this level of thinking - the core beliefs and mental blocks - that must be explored and worked on in order to allow successful obesity treatment. Stephen Stotland, Ph.D. Comments are closed.
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This blog presents some of our ideas about the key issues involved in achieving successful long-term weight control. Archives
December 2022
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