Lose Weight Think You Cant

You step on the scale and groan at the number peeking between your toes. ?Oh, No!?

?I'll start a diet today!? you think. Not so fast. Unless you are mentally ready to lose weight, almost any diet you try may be doomed to failure.

In a widely accepted model of behavioral change, there are five stages of motivational readiness. Bunny Vreeland, Clinical Hypnotherapist, suggests that if you're stuck at an early stage, your diet won't work. You may never even get started!

Studies suggest that people may feel ready to lose weight, but if they are unprepared to alter their behavior, they'll fail, reports the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. in a column titled "Nutrition Notes."

The five stages of motivational readiness that can be applied to dieting, exercise, or just about anything in your life:

Stage One: Precontemplation A person has no intention of changing.

Stage Two: Contemplation A person intends to change--later.

Stage Three: Preparation A person is ready to change within the next month.

Stage Four: Action This stage is reached when a person has recently changed a behavior.

Stage Five: Maintenance This final level occurs only when a person has carried out the new behavior for at least six months to two years.

When we get stuck in one of the first three stages, the difficulties we perceive with the change outnumber any advantages. In addition, we may lack confidence in our ability to successfully make changes.

If you want to move forward in living a healthy lifestyle, the 'pros' have to outweigh the 'cons' in your mind. Remember, if continue to do what you have always done, you are going to get what you always got. Be specific about what you are trying to overcome and creative about possible solutions. Research shows that the balance of pros and cons relates to each small behavioral change, not just to the goal, like losing weight.

Someone who is trying to lose weight may see many more benefits to shedding the pounds than remaining overweight, but if all the person can envision are barriers-- instead of benefits--to decreasing food portion sizes and exercising regularly, then change is unlikely. However, if you are ready to change your thinking pattern, you will see a change in your behavior. Vreeland advises. ?We are each highly suggestible all of the time. Everything in life is created twice, first in your mind, and then in your body.

?The good news is that one success can build your confidence in making more changes.?

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