New Year 2020 has come and gone, and many of the resolutions undertaken with such gusto have already been abandoned. It doesn’t take much to derail the train, does it?

There is an abundance of sensible advice about all the ‘tips’ to make changes to long standing behaviour, but as the good old saying goes: It’s easier said than done.

Sure, it can all start so well, but it can come undone just as easily, leaving us frustrated and wondering why we seem to lack the strength of character to resist the sudden urges that sabotage our efforts.

#1 Resolution – Weight Loss

Weight loss almost always makes it to the top – or close to it – of any new resolution list, often along with drinking and smoking, but chances are that unless you possess a will of tempered steel, it won’t take long before you revert to old habits.

As guilty as the rest, I have been beguiled by the promises of the latest diet only to find that after an enthusiastic start, which could even last a couple of weeks or months, there is a sudden, irresistible, irrational pull back to the old habits.

I myself have discovered just how loudly chocolate cake can call from across the room! Fortunately, there is a natural and healthy solution.

True Steps to Weight Loss

There are 3 steps to weight loss that I’ve found very helpful, so let me share them with you.

Ditch the Diet

Extensive research over the years (which people seem to be determined to ignore) shows that diets make you fat.

Neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt refers to some of that research and cites mindful eating as the solution to getting rid of excess weight. She is right, of course, but people still struggle to stay on track:

• They can’t tell the difference between hunger and appetite.
• They let mood dictate when they eat.
• They allow themselves to buy things that can sabotage their efforts.
• They don’t pay attention to when they are satisfied/full.
• They don’t get enough sleep.

Discover Your Trigger and the Off Switch at the Same Time

There is a surprisingly simple way to rewire your brain to co-operate. People who have experienced the benefits of hypnosis – the singer Adele recently amongst them – have been amazed at how easily they can sail past what was once irresistible and make better choices about what they feed their bodies.

It’s essential that you become mindful of what prompts you to eat when you’re not even hungry. It can be any number of emotions: possibly boredom, anger, depression, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, perceived scarcity, etc.

Identify your trigger – the cause of your overindulgence – and this will let you deal with what has become an ingrained habit.

Take Control of Yours Thoughts Now

Our thoughts, which we revisit repeatedly every day (95% of our daily thoughts are the same as they were yesterday!), ultimately control our feelings, which control our beliefs, which in turn control our actions.

Once we decide to break the cycle, we can deal with the destructive habits that determine our actions.

Change your thoughts and discover how the call of chocolate cake need not determine your eating habits!

How often do you eat when you aren’t really hungry? Do you contemplate having a treat more often than you need it? How many diet plans have you followed to date? Do you think there’s a correlation between eating habits and the brain? Please share your thoughts with our community.