Want To Lose Body Fat: Be Happy?

Have you heard the phrase, “what you appreciate, appreciates?” It means that the more you are thankful for something, the more things you will have to be thankful for. Kind of like when you praise your kid for doing his homework, the more he will be inclined to do it.

The same is true with negative thoughts. The more you think about not wanting to be broke, the more it keeps you in a pattern of just getting by. They say the trick to getting money is having some. That’s a Catch 22 of sorts, but it’s true. What you think about and focus on, you get more of. This is the Law of Attraction in its barest form.

So, here’s the thing: using the specific words “weight-loss” actually keeps you stuck in a pattern of maintaining, and even gaining, weight.

Anytime you are focusing on “weight”–whether it’s “weight” you have, or “weight” you want to lose—you are asking to keep it around and even adding some more to your collection. The most powerful thing you can do for yourself if you would like to “lose weight” is to drop those two words from your vocabulary and never say or think them again.

Truly, it is ALL about focusing on what you want to GAIN and not what you want to LOSE.

So what should you focus on GAINING?

Here’s where to express what you want to GAIN, and that’s  by Being Happy! Happiness is a delicious state of being yourself where your body, mind, and spirit are deeply connected. Learn to flip those thoughts, and negative thoughts will become positive ones…

I have faced common questions from clients: I really want that fried chicken. I really want that rich dessert. It looks so good and delicious! What do you do? Flip that thought: That fried chicken will clog my arteries and make me fat. So will that dessert. But those cut up fruits and veggies look delicious, and refreshing, and they will help me lose my gut! Think of the negative things about fatty foods, and the positive things and benefits of the healthy foods.

Science of being Happy

Certain actions create an increase in the happy hormones of Oxytocin and Endorphins. This reduces stress, and reduces levels of the hormone Cortisol in the body. Cortisol levels affect accumulation of fat, particularly in the abdominal areas. High levels of Cortisol created by stress make losing weight more difficult, and the person unhappy. The opposite affect occurs when Cortisol levels are reduced as stress is reduced. It makes it easier to lose weight.

Obesity and Depression

There is a strong correlation between obesity and depression that has been well-documented in numerous studies. According to a study published in the March 2008 issue of the journal “Clinical Psychology,” people suffering from depression have changes in their hormones that could contribute to obesity. Their symptoms also make it more difficult to exercise and eat right.

Stressed out children and adults will eat more unhealthy foods, according to research. The journal “Health Psychology” published a study in August 2003 that investigated the eating habits of 11-year-olds. Stressed out kids eat more unhealthy food than their less-stressed out peers. “Children in the most stressed category ate more fatty foods and more snacks, but they were also less likely to consume the recommended five or more fruits and vegetables or eat a daily breakfast.” Similar results have been found in studies with adults.

Being HAPPY is natural

Little kids are in happier state most of the time. They practically dance everywhere they go and they take great pleasure in running up a hill, catching a cricket ball, or eating when they are hungry. As a grown adults we should have perfected this art of being happy by practice. Have we??

As adults, we usually separate our mind, body, and spirit. We read books to grow our minds, we go to temple/mosque/church to fortify our spirits, and why is it  we go to the gym only to lose weight rather than to strengthen our bodies?

Actually, there is another key that must come first: you need to become aware of your thoughts. Many times we are thinking negative thoughts, but we don’t realize it. Start any goal by monitoring your thoughts. If you’re going to go running, for example, be aware of the thoughts that tell you to stop, that tell you that it’s too hard. Spend a day or two just being aware of those thoughts — and then try to flip them.

It’s a skill that takes practice. Iif you get good at this skill, it will unlock any goal you set out to achieve.

Plato, Aristotle and even Freud studied happiness.  The Dalai Lama has written a book on the subject.  Everyone wants it but how do we know if we have it?

When you focus on getting into Happiness, you feel fantastic! You feel energized, young, peaceful, loving, passionate, focused, and expansive.

Share your thoughts and happiness…

Be Happy & Bewell,
Vivek