Tips and Tricks

[James Hazlerig]

This thread is the place to share proven mental and physical aids for staying on track with your weight goals.

For instance, I find that a local support group with a weekly weigh-in really motivates me. I also find that keeping chewing gum around satisfies my desire for dessert.

With gum being my usual dessert, I feel like eating an apple is a real treat. Mmmmm, makes me want one now . . . that tart, sweet, tangy deliciousness of a crisp Granny Smith apple . . . mmmmm. I actually find myself thinking during dinner, "Oh, if I don't save some room, I'll be too full to eat an apple!"

So what are your tips and tricks? (I realize that not everything works for everyone, but exposure to many ideas can help us all.)

James

[Kelley Woods]

Although I've been aware for years of the importance of practicing self-hypnosis regularly during my day, I admit that I haven't always been diligent about it. Roger Moore's light switch technique has made it easier for me to quickly "switch" into that state without having to actually think about it!

Some people use a tracking system to make sure they release stress regularly, such as some beads or pebbles to transfer from pocket to pocket, or bracelets to move from wrist to wrist. I have a mental clock that reminds me hourly or so... I have also programmed in a desire to drink water afterward.

Giving myself this little gift helps immensely to improve my mood and keep me on course for my goal!

[Kelley Woods]

Tip: Whether you have 100's or 10's of pounds of weight to release, break it down into increments. It's much more palatable to focus on a 2, 5, or 10 lb reduction than a much larger, intimidating figure. Once you have met that immediate goal, repeat it, and so on!

[Kelley Woods]

Tip: Living in the Land of Large (and some of you live in TEXAS!) doesn't have to mean that your portions of food are large. Scale them down by using smaller plates, ordering child or senior servings, taking home a doggie bag or (gasp!) leaving food on your plate.

You can incorporate into your self-hypnosis the experience of pushing your plate or meal away from you when you have consumed half or three quarters of it. Get satisfaction from knowing that you are the one in control now, not your emotional appetite!

[Walt Potter]

One of the things that's happened because I stop eating when I'm full is that my dog is really getting fat! But he's 19 years old...spends a lot of time in trance.

Kelley Woods said:

Tip: Living in the Land of Large (and some of you live in TEXAS!) doesn't have to mean that your portions of food are large. Scale them down by using smaller plates, ordering child or senior servings, taking home a doggie bag or (gasp!) leaving food on your plate.

You can incorporate into your self-hypnosis the experience of pushing your plate or meal away from you when you have consumed half or three quarters of it. Get satisfaction from knowing that you are the one in control now, not your emotional appetite!

[Kelley Woods]

Walt, too funny! That's a great motivator for you to get out and walk the dog!

Walt Potter said:

One of the things that's happened because I stop eating when I'm full is that my dog is really getting fat! But he's 19 years old...spends a lot of time in trance.

Kelley Woods said:

Tip: Living in the Land of Large (and some of you live in TEXAS!) doesn't have to mean that your portions of food are large. Scale them down by using smaller plates, ordering child or senior servings, taking home a doggie bag or (gasp!) leaving food on your plate.

You can incorporate into your self-hypnosis the experience of pushing your plate or meal away from you when you have consumed half or three quarters of it. Get satisfaction from knowing that you are the one in control now, not your emotional appetite!

[James Hazlerig]

My most successful weight management self-hypnosis has focussed on reducing my portions and eating only when I'm hungry. The great part about that is that I don't feel like I'm suffering or denying myself. In fact, I just finished dinner about two hours ago. It's half of what I used to eat--and I feel stuffed. I may have to scale back further just to keep from feeling uncomfortable!

James

Kelley Woods said:

Tip: Living in the Land of Large (and some of you live in TEXAS!) doesn't have to mean that your portions of food are large. Scale them down by using smaller plates, ordering child or senior servings, taking home a doggie bag or (gasp!) leaving food on your plate.

You can incorporate into your self-hypnosis the experience of pushing your plate or meal away from you when you have consumed half or three quarters of it. Get satisfaction from knowing that you are the one in control now, not your emotional appetite!

[Kelley Woods]

Exercise. What does that word conjure up in your mind? For a lot of people, it represents something that is a requirement to be forced and not enjoyed. The truth is that exercise factors hugely in prolonging life. Humans were not designed to be in a reclining or sitting (as I am here now!) position for prolonged periods of during their waking times.

If exercise has a negative connation for you and you find it hard to get motivated to move your body to the point where it is receiving the benefits of exercise, why not think about it in a new way? Instead of dreading the whole process, imagining finding your shoes, wondering what the weather is like outside, etc...DO THIS:

Turn your thoughts to the end of your exercise activity. Imagine how you look and feel after an hour of walking, climbing, swimming, etc. See the glow on your face as you enjoy the naturally released endorphins, feel the warmth of your increased circulation and the comfort of your loosened joints and muscles. Notice the pride in your posture as you realize you easily completed that bout of exercise. Wow, every part of your body feels alive and grateful for the opportunity you just gave it to do its natural function: move!

By focusing only on the conclusion of your exercise session, you program your subconscious to not only accept, but to embrace exercise as a natural and vital part of your journey for well-being. Begin to look at this part from a different perspective and it integrates into your life as easily as your other daily good health habits. You will soon find that the days that include a good form of sweat-making exercise are the best days of your life!

[James Szeles]

I've lost 160 pounds and have keep it off for eight years. Here are a tricks I use. Drink a big glass of water 45 minutes before you eat and serve your food on smaller plates to make it look bigger.

[Hugh Cole]

Five years ago when I was dealing with the news that I was an adult onset diabetic, I structured a weight loss program to cure the medically uncureable. One of the best tricks I learned was to cook for myself... ALWAYS. No resturants, no healthy fast food places, No healthy fruit smoothies, Cooking for your self forces you to plan and think and purchase ahead of time. It lets the unconcious mind know you are serious about it, It also lets you take complete control of your environment,
I am a pretty good cook now and my only real problem is guests bitching because they want sugar for thier coffee. From my highest weight I have been down 45 lbs for about five years now.

Hugh Cole
The pretty goodest Hypnotist on the Planet.

[Kelley Woods]

Well, the holidays are upon us and many people are preparing to stuff themselves as well as they stuff their turkey. Not I. Some years ago, I disconnected from the traditional over-feeding that accompanies Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. I started a tradition of good health for that day instead. Smaller, individual portions (one year, when it was just my boy and I together, we set the table with tiny dishes and had the 2 cats join in!) have left us feeling wonderful and we go for an hour long walk in the countryside after the meal to commune with nature and give thanks for our lives.

My holiday menu includes: Roasted game hen with wild rice, green salad and my own sweet potato succotash*. Dessert is a walk in the fresh air followed by fruit sorbet.

My sweet potato succotash recipe:

Peeled, cubed sweet potato (use the paler, firmer version, NOT a yam)
Peeled, diced carrot
Cubed zucchini
Peeled, chopped garlic
Frozen, fresh or canned corn
Quartered fresh mushrooms
Chopped parsley
Olive oil
Pepper

Saute potato and carrot with small amount of olice oil until par-cooked. Add remaining ingredients and cook until done. (Do not cover or overcook to mush!) This can be prepared just prior to dining or hours before and reheated. It will last for several days when refrigerated.

The sweet potato is one of nature's perfect foods. I cup serving has 180 cal, none of which are fat. It also contains 7g fiber, or 26% RDA! They're loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium and manganese.

You can easily add them to your daily diet in SO many ways: bake one and eat it plain or with some seasoning, grate it with other veggies and add to brown rice or beans for a casserole, cook and mash it with garlic...

I got turned on to the sweet potato when I visited Okinawa, Japan and encountered the sweet potato vendor on the street!

Enjoy!