Do you hear yourself saying, "I can't stop eating for emotional reasons!"
Emotions are not singly responsible for the behaviors we are trying to change; emotions are connected to thoughts. In many cases, our thoughts control our emotions and behavior. When we successfully change our thinking we can successfully change emotions and behaviors.
Why is this important? Because it teaches us that in the end, our thoughts can cause us to overeat and feel sorry later. Negative thoughts can lead to negative behaviors, whether it's overeating, smoking or drinking. But if we rephrase any negative or "toxic" thoughts that come into our heads into more positive ones, we can think in a more pleasant state of mind and avoid what may be a trigger to overeating.
Take a look at the following "negative" thoughts which serve as triggers to overeating, and how we can turn them into "nourishing" ones:
Negative Thought: I only lost 5 pounds. I will never make it.Nourishing Thought: If I can lose 5 pounds, I can and will lose 5 more.
Negative Thought: I hate being on a weight-loss program.Nourishing Thought: Changing my lifestyle is not easy, but it will help me reach my Optimal Health goals.
The skills of positive thinking can be learned. Thoughts can be changed. Internal happiness and how we feel about ourselves is essential for Optimal Health – and it must start from within. Changing negative thoughts can be the key to a healthy mind and ultimately changing your whole life. Food is a powerful resource, satisfying our hunger and nutrition needs. It can also help heighten positive emotions – and buffer the pain of negative ones. Hopefully it won't be your first (or only) option. The less you rely on food to meet your emotional needs, the more successful you’ll be in your quest to achieve Optimal Health.
