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Having been a personal trainer and nutritionist for over a decade, I'm frequently asked which diet works best. In my early years, I tried to impress trainees with nutrition sagacity and the benefits of various weight loss programs. I soon realized, however, the only diet that actually works is the one people stick too, which begs the question, what are some effective methods for sticking to a diet?

I again attempted to impress my listeners with wisdom and knowledge. I saw only a slight increase in successful dieting. I then reflected on my pre fitness days and examined what helped me lose weight. The answer surprised many: prayer. The first step in explaining weight loss through prayer involves understanding cause and effect.

UNDERSTANDING CAUSE AND EFFECT

The effects of obesity are physical problems, health problems, and a less than desirable appearance. The causes, however, have their roots, not in the physical realm, but in the spiritual and psychological realm. To elucidate further, think of the last time you ate too much. Was it because you were hungry? Chances are you were not. Perhaps you were stressed out, celebrating a joyous occasion, or bored. Whatever the case, your desire stemmed from psychological and emotional problems, not associated with the body. The way we attack a spiritual, emotional, or psychological problem is with a spiritual, emotional, or psychological solution.

PRAYER PRODUCES TRUE CHANGE

Prayer strengthens one's Spirit and alters one's emotions. Some argue this strength is derived from a divine source; others claim it is derived from within. I'll let the theologians argue the former. I'll handle the latter.

For prayer to work effectively, one must obey the natural law that governs weight loss: consume more calories than you take in, which is accomplished by eating right and exercising. There are very few humans who do not know this law. The problem lies with obedience to the law. A prayer helps one focus his mental energy on obeying that law. People make choices affecting their health daily. If one prays for the strength to eat well that day, he or she will be more likely to make the right choice. Continually making the right choice will eventually lead to weight loss and successful dieting.

Prayer involves goal-setting. It is an open declaration, sacred in many instances, of something one intends to do. Once again, those with goals remain focused. When choices arrive, as they invariably do, the one who is focused on a goal of being healthy will make healthy decisions. As the number of healthy decisions made increases, good habits are formed. Once good habits are formed, there is no longer the need to focus on dieting because healthy choices become automatic, a part of one's character. In short, true change occurs.

MORE EFFECTIVE PRAYER

The key to successful prayer, as it pertains to successful dieting, is focus. It becomes important, therefore, to focus on the right things. How one words the prayer determines that focus. Prayers centered on desired results such as, "help me to eat healthy," "help me to build muscle," or "help me to weigh 180 lbs." help dieters focus on desired actions and results. Prayers centered on undesirable results such as "help me to not eat donuts," or "help me to not be a fat" focuses one's attention on unwanted actions and results.

In short, prayers focusing on desired actions, that is, actions that adhere to the laws of weight loss, produce dieting success. Prayers that do not focus on actions that adhere to the laws of weight loss produce dieting failure.

Learn more about this author, Trent Lorcher.
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