by Anne Warchol

Created on: March 13, 2009

Dieting is a state of mind. Try convincing yourself to lose weight and you will struggle under the heavy yoke of guilt. All emotions flee to panic when you dwell on your expectations of ideal body weight. Merely the thought of dieting cripples the mind and a beleaguered mind ignores your body.

Working with your mind and body connection involves training your habits and refocusing your attitude.

A few suggestions include:

Toss out the words "weight loss" and replace them with "weight management." A deep intake of breath at this thought signals a compliant brain, because the stress has dissolved into positive thinking.

Allow yourself to indulge in a few sweets. A build-up of desires renders a disaster; you will binge. Also, a craving for sugar often disguises the body's plea for proper nutrition. Ask your body:

"Is something wrong?"

Evaluate your eating habits and take note of fiber, protein and sugar intakes. Read product labels and steer away from a product listing "high fructose corn syrup" as an ingredient.

If your brain signals "hunger", try water not food. Drink a glass of water and ask your body if that helps.

Eat small healthy snacks spread throughout the day and never skip meals. Starving sends a message from your brain to your body.

"Oh no, the food supply stopped. Hold onto all fat. Repeat release no fat, we are cut off from nutrition."

Accept your body as it is and remember not all of us are built to pose for magazine covers. Find your natural body weight and never stray more than two or three pounds above.

Catch any weight gain early and remind your body to maintain a healthy limit. Foster your body with loving thoughts and release those negative admonishments when you look in the mirror.

The word "exercise" brings a barrage of thoughts encompassing serious exertion, sweating and moving your body. Sitting by a computer all day tempts your body to resist forward motion.

Standing and moving at one hour intervals deters drowsy feelings and a lackluster attitude.

Simple actions create natural exercise. Park your car far from your destination.

As you walk, talk to your body. "This is a form of exercise, good idea."

Rearrange your desk, placing items away from arms reach; this tactic forces you to stand and walk.Send your body an encouraging message:

"It feels so good to move around and I know action helps you, body."

Keep your goals realistic. A dramatic thought of "I have to lose ten pounds now," sabotages your game plan. It's easy to ignore overwhelming impossible

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