By Dave Schreck
(Second in the series)

Blunder: You believe that: Cabbage soup or grapefruits is the key to weight loss; new pill from Europe that guarantees twice as much body fat loss is the answer; applying that expensive cream will melt your cellulite away; buying those magazines that promise double-digit weight loss in one week is important.

Solution: Return from your daydream and realize that the only ones who win are the companies selling you their weight loss products. To be successful, you’ve got to make some simple and easy changes. See here.

Blunder: You’ve got to finish every bite, your meals are served family style, you’re known as a plate picker, and you ask for seconds. When you see a buffet, you challenge yourself to get your money’s worth. While on a business trip to Arizona I found myself face to face with a gigantic buffet that featured fresh pasta, hand-crafted wood oven pizzas with exotic cheeses, grilled meats and gooey desserts. Years ago I would have been proud of how many plates I could finish. Now as I confronted the sights and aromas, I asked myself could I still do it? I looked around to see if anyone knew that I worked for Dr. Sears. The coast was clear. I was incognito. Then I realized I had my Zone logo shirt on! I ordered the Caesar salad and chicken satay appetizer and felt much better.

Solution: Stop. Be aware that you’re about to overload your system resulting in bloating, grogginess, weight gain and raising your risk factors for chronic disease. Condition yourself to consume balanced meals, and within 15 minutes any perceived hunger will fade away.

Blunder: You don’t have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. You think Big Pharma will save you. Unfortunately, they haven’t come through yet but produce some nasty side effects, i.e. heart failure and death. You’ll start tomorrow. Right! That’s just as effective as the sign in the bar that says, “Free Drinks Tomorrow.” So you come back tomorrow to read the sign — “Free Drinks Tomorrow.”

Solution: Realize that the person who got you into this condition is the same one who can get you out! You’ve got to have a plan. Visit zoneliving.com – Eating – Quick Start Guide or click here.

Problem: You have limiting beliefs. These are assumptions, conclusions, explanations that seem to prove their validity, such as obesity runs in my family, I’ve tried it before and failed, if I do lose the weight, I’ll need to get new friends, and I’ve had this problem too long, and I can’t change now.

Solution: Change can happen in an instant! You reach a threshold where you’ve had enough and decide to make a shift in your thinking. You make a plan and take action! Develop a habit of positive self talk. We all have that negative chatter going on in our heads. Pay attention to what you’re saying to yourself. Change your language to “I can change, I’m successful, I like and accept myself and I can improve my health.”

Problem: You’ve got that filler-up conditioning. You think that good nutrition is when you can’t consume another bite. You’re stuffed, full, bloated and often say to yourself, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.”

Solution: Stick to your plan and consume balanced meals. No seconds, plate picking or buffets. Be aware and condition yourself to leave the table satisfied and not stuffed.

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