The mind possesses more power than most people realize. In order for a weight loss therapy program to succeed, it must focus on personal values and a decision-making process. People who aim to lose weight should make weight loss a top priority. When a person’s mind is truly set on accomplishing a goal such as losing weight, the results are positive; at least this is what a new clinical study suggests.
Behavioral therapies have historically helped people to lose approximately 5% to 8% of their starting weight, in most cases. Those who received therapy based on mindfulness lost more than 13 percent of their starting weight, on average. Researchers suggest that the biggest challenges people face are avoiding temptation, and keeping off the extra weight.
Drexel University’s Professor of Psychology, Evan Forman states that “The standard advice on weight loss only works if people are able to stick with it.” The truth is simple, people are driven to eat biologically. Foods are not only tempting, but they provide some type of comfort and reward, and it tastes good. At one point in time, food was scarce, which was apparently an asset. Now that food is so readily available in a variety of settings, it is a huge problem. The temptation to eat heavy foods, high in calories is creating obese conditions, which leads to major health problems. It is difficult for people to turn down good tasting foods, no matter how much they try to resist. It takes strong discipline and a sincere desire to stay away from fattening foods.
The decision-making process to succeed or to choose begins in the mind. Whether a person feels bad about opting for a healthy salad, and not a brownie, has to do with cravings. People are likely to say that is simply how their brain works. This is why it is important to help people focus on their behavior. They cannot change their cravings, but they can change the way they view food. It makes the transitional thinking successful. People can practice throwing brownies and other unhealthy foods in the trash, and eating something healthy instead.
Many factors influence our decision to eat, and the type of foods we do eat. From watching television to being bored out of our minds, there is a myriad of prompts. Losing weight is not only about willpower, it is about controlling the strong, overwhelming impulses to eat.
Source – http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-09-mindfulness-based-approach-slim.html
