Weight Loss without Worry

     A study from 2006 revealed some interesting facts about habits.  As it turns out habits are not just behavior patterns, they are also patterns of thought.  The study showed that habitual activity actually changed brain activity, more specifically it changed activity patterns in the basal ganglia, an area of the brain involved in habits, addiction and procedural learning.

     We can change these patterns but they can easily reappear if we are faced with a trigger from the past, for instance seeing a piece of birthday cake may give you the urge to return to your old pattern of overeating even if you are faithfully sticking to your diet. 

     This is why you must work to reprogram your mind and not just rely on dieting and exercise for long-term weight loss.  Reprogramming your mind is a simple process that uses a lot of repetition.  If you want to become a healthy eater then it is imperative that you repeat to yourself phrases that support that type of lifestyle.  For instance, “Vegetables taste good and are great for my body.”  “I love to fuel my body with protein at every meal.”  You might feel silly telling yourself these things but if you think about it, you are just reversing some unwanted patterns of thinking and behaving that you currently possess.

      For more on this research you can read the full article here