As humans, we all tell ourselves stories. We can’t stop–it’s just part of our brain trying to make sense of our world.
IS YOUR STORY FATTENING?
But, we can learn to recognize our stories. This is part of distinguishing what I call Fat Thinking from Thin Thinking. In fact, the bigger your story about why you did not follow through on something healthy (like exercise) or why you ended up doing something unhealthy (like eating the entire large pizza), the bigger your chances are that you are about to gain weight. Yes, Big Story = Big Butt.
Over the years as I have coached people through many weight release journeys, I have witnessed what I call “story-eye-tis” happen to many a sincere person intent on losing weight. In the beginning, things usually are really clear. We are on track, sticking to a plan, and the weight is starting to come off. And if we fail to follow through or we engage in something less healthy, we immediately acknowledge it and make an adjustment to stay on track. We are engaged in Thin Thinking.
BEWARE! YOUR INNER REBEL LOVES SPINNING A YARN….
I usually know when a client is starting to veer from this focused uncluttered thinking and behaving when their stories about their behavior start to get longer. We all have a part of our brain that is just looking to spin some story. I call this the Inner Rebel. Your Inner Rebel is up for an Emmy Award for best story about why you can’t show up for yourself and follow through on your goals. Your Inner Rebel wants to take you back on the path to where things are predictably the same. This is a familiar story and oh-so convincing, but it does not end in happily ever after!
All those rationalizations and excuses about why you didn’t or couldn’t follow through on healthy behaviors followed by even more story about how it will be better to focus next week and how you’ll “try” to “get back” to “being good” tomorrow or next week–this is Fat Thinking.
The path to weight release typically looks like this: Clear and honest Thin Thinking ==> following through with healthy behaviors ==> Weight Release
The path to weight gain is typically: Story spinning Fat Thinking ==> not following through on behaviors ==> weight gain.
BIG STORY=BIG BUTT BOTTOM LINE
Stories can be great, but if you want to lose weight and keep it off, it’s time to become a loving scientist and stick with facts.
1) Cut the story aka Fat Thinking. Focus on your vision and the behaviors that will get you there. When that little voice in your head wants to start some story (see below) about why exercising today is impossible, take a breath, thank yourself for noticing the story.
Example: I can’t exercise because I don’t have the right work-out clothes that are clean and that if I wear my other work-out clothes I might offend someone at the gym. Besides, it’s raining out and even though I am going to the gym which is indoors and dry, I do have to get from the parking lot to the gym and I would get wet and I absolutely cannot get a cold because next week I have to give that presentation which is another good reason that I must just avoid any exertion and just build up my strength.
2) Create an alternate solution aka Thin Thinking. Note what happened and ask yourself what is the strategy for moving forward with an altered plan? Then follow through on that altered plan.
Example: I can’t exercise after work today and since I won’t be burning that 300 calories, I can walk today and tomorrow at lunch and make up for that.
3) End of story
Will you have a story at the end of the summer as to why you did not reach your summer weight release goals? I hope not! If you want to spend your summer powerfully rooted in Thin Thinking and weight release, committed to your health and showing up for yourself day by day all summer long, it’s time to learn to stop telling yourself the fairy tales and learn how to catch yourself in these. You may want to start with a copy of my bestselling book, From Fat To Thin Thinking: Unlock Your Mind for Permanent Weight Loss. It’s an easy read filled with clear facts and resources along with humor and inspiration.
Of course, you may have some story that comes up like: I don’t have the time, the resources, I’ll start in the Fall. If so, please consider the alternative if your story just keeps getting bigger (along with a few other things…..)
Here’s to a Story Free Summer!
xoxo Rita
I am excited to announce my new best-selling book, From Fat To Thin Thinking: Unlock Your Mind for Permanent Weight Loss, is now available in print and on Kindle.
This is a book version of my successful Shift Weight Mastery Process seminar and is designed to free your mind from the struggle with weight so that you can lose weight permanently. The book includes online access to free hypnosis, meditation and coaching to support you through the 30-day process.
Rita Black 