The Weight Loss Mind

     Lose Your Mind!

So before we get in to the introductions, the "how do you do's", and the virtual handshakes I want you to know one thing: I have an extreme passion for wishing I was out of my mind. I would love for you to be out of your mind also. We could have so much fun together! So before you start sending me pamphlets and 1-800 numbers to call I think I should explain why I wish I was out of my mind. But first we can do the introductions. My name is Scott and I am a person. Whew that was easy! Now maybe my palms will stop sweating.

So on to why I wish I was out of my mind. When I say I want to be out of my mind I am referring to what I call "the weight loss mind". If you are here reading this you likely already have an idea of what I am referring to. The weight loss mind is that person in your head (you) that just won't shut up and won't stop thinking about what bothers you about your weight, body shape, fitness level, eating habits, appearance and all sorts of other things related to weight loss.

Anyone who has struggled with being overweight can immediately identify with their version of the weight loss mind. The purpose of this site is to break down the weight loss mind one piece at a time and hopefully get it to the point where it is like one of those 10,000 piece puzzles that you have no time or desire to put together (or back together). So sit back (or forward, whichever you prefer), relax and prepare to lose your mind!

Mirror mirror on the...(wherever you keep your mirrors) Motivation and Self Image

In the "Lose Your Mind!" section above I introduced myself to you as "Scott: A person". Now I suppose would be a good time to give you my credentials. No one wants to listen to someone who doesn't get it (get your head out of the gutter). I've been in a constant battle with my weight loss mind since around the age of 12. I just let him attack me without fighting back until I was about 19. I started fighting back at around the age of 19 and dropped my weight from 290 to 205. I then proceeded to lose the battle for a while and went from 205 up to 360. Currently I am at 170. So now that you have my credentials and we have done our numbers check in maybe we can move on to the meat and potatoes of this entry (not literally). I will try to spend as little time as possible talking about myself. People don't read informational websites to listen to people talk about themselves. People read them to get thoughts, ideas, and information that can be put to use in their own lives.

I think usually the most mouthy and degrading part of our weight loss mind is the part focused on appearance. I'd be willing to bet that a good portion of your day is spent worrying about your appearance and wondering what other people are thinking about you when they look at you. I think almost every human is unhappy with some part of their appearance. This is especially prevalent in overweight people. As an overweight person you will spend a good part of your day (and emotional energy) wishing that you looked like that skinny annoying little blond b**ch that just walked by you. This is when your weight loss mind takes over and says "Hey lard ass! You need to lose 50lbs as soon as possible so that you can look like her. Then you'll be happy". So what do you usually do after an attack like that from your weight loss mind? You go on a week (or 2) long "I'm gonna do this damn it!" diet and exercise binge. You get to the end of the week(s) and your brain takes over and you realize that you can't keep this pace up and you just feel more defeated and worse about yourself.

Now is the time when I think it is appropriate to give your weight loss mind a name. It should be something silly that makes you laugh or reminds you of something funny. I prefer to call mine Augustus as in Augustus Gloop (Charlie and the Chocolate factory). That way you can sit down and have a serious conversation with your weight loss mind and it doesn't intimidate you. You can tell your weight loss mind that it just isn't acceptable anymore to visit so often and without calling first. It is so rude! Once you can start to limit the visits from your weight loss mind then you can start to focus on yourself.

Since your brain has now taken over and Augustus has gone on vacation you can start to find ways to feel better about the way you look without trying to lose 50lbs in a week. Wanting to look a certain way or emulate another person is not long lasting motivation for losing weight. A good place to start is by bringing your sexy back (or getting it there for the first time). There is usually something you can buy or do that will make you feel attractive without weight loss. Buy a nice new outfit, pick out a new perfume or cologne, cut your hair a different way, wear a new shade of lipstick or eye shadow, buy those cool sunglasses. An idea just popped in your head like a kernel of corn! I could hear it! So go do that thing and continue to do things that make you feel attractive. If you think of several ideas then make up a "sexy" list and do something from your sexy list when you need that boost to get over that hump about your rump or your lumps or your belly or that jelly! If you feel attractive you can start to address how you want to lose weight without your weight loss mind getting in the way. I don't know about you but I feel like we just took a few pieces off of that 10,000 piece weight loss puzzle. So don't forget to strut and bring your sexy back and all that jazz! Actually not jazz. I don't like jazz.

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