Body Acceptance You are going along quite well and you have lost about 15 or 20 pounds.
All of a sudden,
The entire weight loss process seems difficult.
You just can't seem to stay within the guidelines you have determined are appropriate for yourself.
What is happening?
One of the most common reasons for weight control failure is not altering body image as weight is lost.
The problem is that regardless of how much weight you lose now,
You will gain it all back unless you alter your body image.
This phantom body image is a result of the brain's tendency toward consistency.
Your brain will continue to encourage you seeing yourself as you always have been,
Not the way you are beginning to look now that you have begun losing weight.
In order for your brain to make the required switch,
You need to alter the messages being sent so that the new thin person image will overcome the old overweight person image.
This is done by continual practice through reminding yourself that you are no longer an obese person.
Instead,
You are a thinning,
Slimming person.
It is very important to fantasize and act out how things will be once you reach your goal weight.
Start being that person now.
If the body leads,
The mind will follow.
Practice being thin.
Walk like a thin person.
Overweight people tend to walk leaning from side to side while normal weight people usually lead with the hips.
Go to the smaller size clothing racks.
Start getting used to looking at clothing that is the size you will be,
Not the size you are now.
Learn to accept your body as it is now.
Do the unthinkable.
Stand in front of a full-length mirror as often as possible.
While it takes a while to become accustomed to your thinning body,
It will happen if you take the time to notice it.
Acceptance doesn't mean you don't want to change.
It just means you think you are okay right now.
By accepting your body now,
You will accept it later.
So start now.
