Live It, Don't Diet

Positive self-talking

Ever hear the phrase "What you see is what you get"? Well, that's only part of the picture. It's also true that what you say is what you get. Our words help build our attitude, and the Positive Self-Talking Tool can help you learn how to use words that will keep you motivated and make you feel and perform better.

Use positive self-talking if:

• You eat because of low self-esteem.
  
• You constantly beat yourself up or blame yourself when you go "off-course."
  
• You're discouraged because you've suffered a setback.
  
• You are put down by friends or family.
  
• You're overwhelmed by a challenge or obstacle.

When Jim Needed Positive Self-Talking
Jim follows Weight Watchers and still has 175 pounds to lose before he makes it to his weight goal. It's taken Jim three months to lose 20 pounds*. No one has noticed any changes in his appearance, the way he moves or his clothes. Also, his rate of loss is slowing down, and he's figured out that it could take as long as two years to lose the weight his doctor has recommended.
* Results not typical

How Jim Did It (And How You Can Do It, Too)
Let's look at the kinds of things Jim was telling himself before he began to use Positive Self-Talking. Think about what set of attitudes Jim is fostering by saying these things to himself:

• What's the use? This could take forever.
  
  
• I've tried this before and wasn't able to do it. Why do I think it will be different this time?
  
  
• I've lost 20 pounds and nobody has noticed — not even me. I'd rather be eating the way I used to. Why can't I be like everyone else? Why do I have to have this problem?

Now let's look at some positive statements Jim can say to himself:

• I need to do this to have the kind of life I want. And I want to do it. It doesn't matter how long it takes. In two years I can be thinner or still carry all this weight — it will take two years either way.
  
  
• It will be different this time. I'm a capable and determined person when my sights are set on a goal. Look at my successful business — nobody thought I'd get that off the ground.
  
  
• Losing 20 pounds represents a major step in the right direction. I've done a wonderful thing. At some point soon I'll begin to feel the difference. If people notice, good. If they don't, I will.

Once Jim learns to recognize negative self-talking and turn it into Positive Self-Talking, he'll find it much easier to stay motivated and keep his eyes on his goal.

As Andrew Matthews, author of Being Happy (Price Stern Sloan, 1990), says: "The words that we use are always filtering into our subconscious mind and becoming a part of our character and makeup. They tell [us and] others how serious and committed we are to getting results."

Can you think of negative statements that you tend to make to yourself? How can you turn those into Positive Self-Talking?

posted by Snowman @ 6:07 AM