Sometimes I’ve got to admit to being amazed at how little notice the ‘mainstream’ medical system takes of anything outside the ‘bubble’.  In saying that, i do know - and have worked and studied with - some hugely inspirational and motivational doctors and medical professionals who are very open minded.  Thought I better get that in before a flood of comments on my gross generalisation at the start.

If you are someone who has struggled with your weight then you may have tried a diet or two.  I remember growing up surrounded by various diet sheets and calorie calculators and still to this day my mum is currently counting her ’sins’ on a daily basis.

In fact in a recent article on the BBC News site Professor Peter Weissberg of the British Heart Foundation said, following some research into genetic causes of obesity that the research “…suggests that some people may be less able than others to resist the temptation to overeat because of their genetic background and it might start to explain why some people have no problem keeping their weight down whilst others struggle”.

This is great news for many people who may find finally a reason for them struggling with their weight…or is it?

The headline on that article, Obesity ‘controlled by the brain’, is actually close to the truth.  Obesity ‘controlled by the mind‘ is maybe closer to the truth.

Here’s a simple fact; Diets do not work.  If they did people would do one and then that would be that.  There would be no slimming clubs because anyone who put on a little weight would do a calorie controlled diet and be their ideal weight forever.

But what happens in reality?  That’s right, the old habits creep back in, the chocolate appears back in the cupboard, the treats become the norm and before you know it you are looking around for another local club (you can’t possibly go back to the old one and show your face now, can you?!).

Your mind does not like being denied anything and diets tend to have people looking about at all the things they can’t have.  As I said before think of my mum’s current daily food based ’sins’ (and a good Catholic woman she is as well!).  When you deny your mind anything it wants then it will just turn up the ‘want’ until it becomes a ‘needwants it more.

This is an unhealthy cycle that millions of people across the western world are caught in yet it’s a cycle that is so easily broken with the right advice, guidance and support.

Here’s some simple (not necessarily easy, but simple) ways to change your weight;

• Take a look at your regular food shopping and ask yourself ‘Will this [insert name of food/drink here] make me feel good AND be good for my whole system?’.  Ditch 80% of everything that gets a ‘No’ e.g. fizzy drinks, dairy products especially cheese, snack foods like biscuits and crisps.

You don’t have to live a life of celery and soya milk to be healthy.  Just take simple steps with your food shop and start changing the food habits you’ve developed over the years.

Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?  If you can generate the habit of 80% of your diet making you feel good AND being good for you then, you know what, you deserve to go and have what you like.  

If you have a 40% healthy/60% not-so-much rule (which would go along the lines of “I had a baked potato and tuna for my lunch so I’m allowed to eat a whole 6 pack of crisps and a box of quality street for my dinner”) then do not be surprised when you develop another chin or your ankles dissapear.

• On of the key habits to change is to stop eating when you are full.  If you don’t know when you are full then retrain yourself by putting your knife and fork down between every mouthful and asking yourself “Am I full?” before you decide if you should pick them up again. 

Paul McKenna’s book ‘I Can Make You Thin’ is a great guide to doing just that.  This book uses many techniques from NLP that will help anyone with issues around their weight and one of the key components is to begin noticing when you are full.  

• Eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.  

 This takes practice and dedication.  If you have a really sweet tooth try grapes, plums, melon and other sweet, delicious fruit.  If you have a salty disposition try making up salads with a light dressing or baked potato.  

As moreish as your favourite chocolate bar?  Maybe Not.  Will it help you shrink your ass down from the size of a small truck?  Definitely Yes!

• Avoid any food that is beige.  Honestly!  Pies, Sausage Rolls, anything breadcrumb or batter coated etc.

Again remember the 80/20 rule.  Where i live in the West of Scotland we got in to the habit of having baked beans with everything to add a splash of colour to our beige diet!  I remember being with my brother once when he had a roll and pie (think of a morning roll with a shortcrust pastry mince pie inside it).  That was considered a good hearty meal at that point in our upbringing!

Try and eat a colourful meal at least 5 or 6 days out of 7 and see the difference it makes to you.

Changing your weight lies with you.  You have the power to do anything you want to as long as you focus on what you want. 

My Post-Chrsitmas tip, ditch the diet and start changing your habits.

Speak Soon

Brian

Just as an additional thing 2 days later, on the same site, another article claimed that “Obesity [is] ’set by the age of five” claiming that a person’s weight and eating habits are set before their fifth birthday.

So which is it?  Is it uncontrollable nature or is it nurture?  Or could it be both?  Science is confusing…