Think Yourself Thin: Real World Fitness Mantras
20
April
A mantra is defined as a sacred verbal formula repeated during prayer or meditation. It can also mean a commonly repeatedly word or phrase and in the world of fitness it sometimes takes on a special meaning.
Last week, NPR’s Morning Edition featured a piece titled “Thinking Thin: A Cognitive-Therapy Approach” about psychologist Judith Beck’s book: The Beck Diet Solution and it made for interesting listening during the morning commute.
With the byline “Works With Any Diet”, this book attempts to use the mind as a powerful ally in the eternal quest for the achievement of the ideal weight. Ms Beck is what is known as a diet coach an she helps her clients understand the mental thoughts and choices that precede a physical decision to eat. She feels “Dieters do have willpower. Most dieters have lost weight before. They’ve just gained it all back, so their willpower is a little inconsistent.”
The story describes the efforts of one of Ms beck’s clients, Lori Maslin who through diet and programs like Weight Watchers managed to lose 35 pounds over a year and a half but continues to use strong mind-based rules and “mantras” to keep the weight off:
Every day, she repeats to herself, “No choice,” which means she has no choice about sticking with just the foods she has planned out for the day — even when she’s ordering off a three-page menu. Maslin just ignores the unhealthy options.
Most diets would work if only people stuck long enough with them. Willpower and reduction of sabotaging thoughts like “I will never be thin” are the biggest allies to a dieter’s sincere efforts and diet coaches like Judith Beck help reinforce the message: “You can think yourself thin”.
What “Fitness Mantras ” work for you? Do you use your mind in helping keep your body in shape? DO share your thoughts in the Comments section!
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1. Dr Hal | April 21st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Affirmations or thinking to be thin is necessary to gain thinness and the benefits created by being thin. To gain thinness and maintain gains in thinness, thought process must also change to support a thin life style and body image.
Many people fail in dieting and losing weight, because their thinking prevents success.
2. yogamama | April 22nd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Good article. Have you checked out the “You: On a Diet” plan? More about it at http://www.healthsundae.com
3. rachael | April 29th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
I have been doing this for months and now I see it’s a book. Too funny. However, it’s working!