Losing weight is one of the most common new years resolutions. Drastic changes to your diet and exercise routines coming out of your ears can get too much. Start small, introducing changes gradually can be a very successful strategy for you.
In this article by Patrick Holford, he discusses the importance of introducing changes gradually inorder to lose weight and be successful.
It is all in your mind
While we most certainly have genetic predispositions, our brains can change in amazing ways, regardless of age. This is known as neuroplasticity. We are not victims of our genes or neurons, we are creators of our mental states.
The erroneous belief that we are ‘set in stone’ can stop people trying to change. Creating new neural pathways that are linked to health is one of the many ways that can help you to change. Pruning old neural pathways that may link a hard day at work with a food related reward are really worthwhile working on and can indeed be changed or replaced.
Perhaps you are amongst those that have tried many diets and lost weight, only to regain the weight and end up heavier than you started? With each new diet that fails you, the belief that you can’t lose weight is reinforced? This is a limiting belief, preventing you from taking the correct action you need to. But you do have a choice!
You can choose to change this belief, you could convert it to ‘perhaps I haven’t tried every diet, this time it is different, I have the right plan and I can change anything if I really want to’. This is a much more positive and empowering belief which will help you towards reaching your goals.
The positive actions to lose weight will take time to become a habit of yours. There are some habits that you must do if you are serious about losing weight.
It takes 3 weeks to break an old habit, 6 weeks to make a new habit and 36 weeks to hardwire that habit. So making changes, once you have made the decision to do so, will require a certain amount of planning to keep you on the right path. Simply saying you are going to do something, maybe making a commitment to do more exercise, is not going to work on its own. Joining a local sports group is a good way to motivate you to exercise more regularly, you also have the chance to make new friends.
There are positive habits that must be in our daily routines. Make these habits today to maximise your health.
Introducing changes gradually can be a very successful strategy, rather than going for a quick fix approach that is not sustainable.
Why not join the Life Habit community to get started, find the motivation you will need to stick to changing your habits
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