Why “losing weight” is a HORRIBLE goal.
Millions of people engage in the battle of the bulge – trying to “lose weight” that they have gained for a variety of reasons. “Weight loss” centers are everywhere, including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and others. Medically supervised “weight loss” programs have expanded to include lap band surgery. And, weight loss is commonly used as part of the title of many books and articles. Yet, the problem has not gotten any better. In fact, it’s gotten worse, with 70% of the American population being overweight or obese.
What most of us don’t realize, is that our brains are wired a particular way. There is a famous true story of a baseball pitcher – it was the bottom of the 9th inning in the 7th game of the World Series. The tying run was on first base, their best hitter was at bat. The manager came up to the mound and said “Whatever you do, do NOT throw low and outside!” Since the manager planted the image of “low and outside” into the pitcher’s brain, guess where the pitcher threw? Low and outside. Which led to the batter hitting a home run and the pitcher losing the World Series.
If we create a goal that focuses on the negative – as in “lose weight” – then our brains will reinforce the negative, and will always find a way to keep us in the state of needing to lose more weight.
We should never create a goal focusing on what to LOSE. We should only create goals that focus on IMPROVING or INCREASING. Goals always need to be worded in the positive. We need to focus on what we want to GAIN, not lose.
A better way to word the goal is: “It is December 31st 2015, and I have improved my body composition by 45 pounds. I have improved my energy and vitality such that I can hike in the Sierras with ease. It is a great joy to be fit and healthy!”
By using a unique goal setting process that I have created, I have empowered so many clients to radically improve their life and vitality. Reverend Charles Cooper, one of my clients, effectively improved his body composition by over 150 pounds! Many others have improved by 50 or more pounds.
There is much more to the goal setting process that I use to help my clients create effective goals that really work! If you would like more information, please contact me.