subject: The Non-Dieters Mindset for Weight Loss - Pt. 7: Finding a Positive Focus & Conclusion [print this page] Diets seem to depend on the hope that you have nothing better to do than to stick to a rigid regimen for valuable days, weeks, or months of your life. I dont know about you, but theres life going out there! Theres family and friends, great events to attend, great restaurants to go to where youre allowed to eat more than a celery stick; good days and great dates to enjoy. Diets suck up all the fun, because for the most part they are designed to have your whole world revolving around them. The Non-dieter has better things to do-People to see, places to go, good wholesome food to enjoy. After all what would be the point of loosing the weight? The Non-Dieter has ample areas in his/her life which are not all about food, but about maintaining emotional wellbeing by doing things enjoyable to them. Therefore food is enjoyed, but not made the ultimate comforter in their lives. Having an overall positive outlook or focus in your life makes it impossible to make anything-food, a house, a man, children, a dog etc-the sole source of your happiness. Thats the reason why its important to recognize the multiple of things which add pleasure to your life and keep your focus on the positive (i.e. Positive focus). For example, having various hobbies can significantly improve your positive outlook on things. Here are a few additional reasons why this is important: If you are clearly focused on doing something that is pleasing, like engaging in various hobbies or enjoying great entertainment, you are not likely to be preoccupied with food or your weight. Diets depend on this preoccupation with food to keep you hooked. You can set your health and weight goals without becoming obsessed with them because you are no longer coming from a place of guilt, but joyfulness. Channeling your thoughts towards one or more things you love doing contributes to overall wellbeing. Suggestion:
Choose hobbies or interests which require some patience and focus; preferably slow hobbies like jewelry making, card making, pottery, painting etc. which require very concentrated focus on your part. Also, Get Interactive:
Choose hobbies or interests which force you to engage some level of physical effort. These can include some type of dance, gardening, and even yoga, tai chi or qigong. I personally like Belly Dance which is possible to do at home with minimal investment. Although the level of physical engagement may vary depending on which activity you choose, the overall point is to get your body and mind fueled and energized. You may well burn some calories, and move away from any unhealthy preoccupation with dieting and food, which you may have had prior. Plus something which is fun and just happens to serve as exercise is always a great thing. Looking At the Overall Picture:
The Non-Dieter is very interested in overall health. Diets create a preoccupation with only one aspect of your health, but because this preoccupation is generally negative, it can actually affect overall health negatively as well. You can end up putting your body through a serious beating as you move from diet to diet, and this instability doesnt do much good for your mental state either. In order to work, long-term weight anagement
needs to be more than about weight. That kind of long-term commitment requires personal accountability. That kind of obligation and willingness to take responsibility for yourself is a healthy way to begin approaching the Non-Dieter principles towards reshaping your mind and actions towards food. Its all about empowerment, setting the bar high, being a bit unconventional in the way you approach your weight management goals and eating habits, and above all loving food in a healthful way and offering no apologies for that. Concluding Thought:
I believe that to step away from the distorted and unhealthy image of food which restrictive and diet-driven eating puts on us is to step into a greater sense of wellbeing in the long run. Characterizing our eating patterns around avoidance and guilt is not only unrealistic, but unsafe to our emotional and physical health. Remembering the enjoyment aspect of eating helps create a more sensible and guilt-free approach. The Non-Dieter
mindset relies on this approach giving food the center stage, free of all negative labeling.
The Non-Dieters Mindset for Weight Loss - Pt. 7: Finding a Positive Focus & Conclusion
