The Hope Diet: How to Nourish Your Belief In Your Ability to
Lose Weight
Helen Keller's life is a testament to the power of hope. When
she was about two years old she contracted a disease that robbed
her of both her sight and hearing. When you consider that she
could neither see nor hear, it seems impossible to believe that
she would grow up to be one of the most revered personalities of
the 20th Century, working tirelessly on behalf of world peace,
women's suffrage and civil rights.
What makes Helen Keller's story even more remarkable is the
fact that she was born in 1880, which meant she lived during a
time when being a woman was considered a disability and being
physically disabled was perceived as being less than human. So
how was Keller able to accomplish so much with such formidable
obstacles? She believed in the power of hope and confidence.
Unfortunately, when it comes to our outlook on losing weight
too many of us seem to be on a starvation diet of doubt and lack
of confidence. To remedy this, we are going look at some
practices that will nourish the belief in our ability to lose
weight and live healthier lives.
Binge on Books
Books that make you feel optimistic and help you look forward to
the positive possibilities that lie ahead can be wellsprings of
hope. Read from such books every day - even for only five or ten
minutes. You can turn to spiritual texts, books of poetry and
quotations, novels or pages you have written in your personal
journal. Copy particularly "hope filled" passages in a scrapbook
so they will be readily accessible on occasions when you need a
quick fix.
Think "As If"
Pause at least five minutes each day and think healthy thoughts.
Think about your life as if you have already achieved your
weight loss and healthy living goals. Think about not only how
you will look but about how you will feel. Look beyond the
weight loss goals toward what will happen next and what else you
hope to do and where else you expect to go with your life.
Weigh the Benefits
Simply getting on the scale every day is not an effective way to
"keep hope alive." On the other hand, a daily practice of
weighing our bodies along with the benefits of losing weight and
living healthier can help bolster our hope and confidence. When
making a list of weight and wellness benefits, focus on things
that matter to you, and be very specific about what you will
derive from succeeding in this area of your life. Once you
complete your list, make copies so you can post it in your home
and carry a copy with you wherever you go.