Sitting on your shoulders is a loaded gun. A weapon. A part of your mind that is itching for you to grab its triggers and start gunning down cravings, bad eating habits and stress. We've all heard of this part of the mind before. It's called the subconscious. But it's a mystery of sorts. Something that we know exists but we just can't put our finger on. We're not sure how to access its arsenal. Not until now that is. The best part of all, once you begin to use this "mysterious" subconscious of yours it won't seem like a mystery anymore. And, you won't need to diet and yo-yo anymore. Instead, your discipline, motivation and self-control will emerge. So how do you go about using your subconscious, you might be wondering? Read on.
Your subconscious mind is something you use constantly. You just don't realize it. In fact 90 percent of all that we do is governed by the subconscious and it's actually quite easy to access. There are just three things you need to do to make it work for you—especially for losing weight.
1. Relaxation: Relaxation pretty much summarizes what subconscious thought is. Whenever you are relaxed, your brainwave activity naturally decreases. This is reminiscent of being in a trance state, a subconscious state. It is here that the mind is most receptive to new images and stimuli. Unlike your conscious mind, your subconscious is uncritical. It does not analyze or critique. It just accepts. Now there are numerous ways to bring about deep levels of relaxation, or shall I say—subconsciousness. One that I use with my clients is called progressive relaxation. Progressive relaxation is much like meditation and involves scanning the body from head to toe and relaxing each part. When you do this, your mind naturally drifts into a deep trance-like state, making it super receptive to what you tell it.
2. Imagery: So how do you instruct your subconscious to make the changes you want? One effective way is through imagery. Your subconscious can't tell the difference between what is real or imagined. Let me give you an example. Have you ever read a Steven King Horror or a Mary Higgins-Clark Suspense? Did you ever get frightened or feel like you had to hold-on to the edge of your seat? Sure you did and these reactions were very real. Yet what caused them is not real, it's imagery. You see, any time you're reading a book or watching a movie, for example, your mind drifts into a light, trance state, making it super receptive. Essentially, you react to something that isn't real in a very real way. This is exactly how this stuff is going to help you lose weight. This is what Power Programming your mind is all about.
Here's how it works for weight-loss. While you're in your subconscious state of mind you can imagine yourself sitting at the dinner table, eating slowly and leaving food on your plate. You can imagine yourself looking in the freezer without any temptation to dive into that pint of Ben & Jerry's. You get the picture. You'll be surprised just how well you will respond to these kinds of images. It will seem too easy.
3. Suggestion: Suggestions are direct commands that you feed your mind while in your relaxed, subconscious state. You can say things like, "from now on I am always in control of what I eat", or I feel perfectly fine avoiding those late-night snacks", or "I enjoy fruits and vegetables more than ever." You get the picture.
Remember, every action we take is mind over matter. Your mind is a powerful computer that only you know the password to. By working with you mind, you'll find that you can make changes that you never thought possible. All you have to do is dedicate 10 or 15 minutes of your time a day, 3 days a week.
Thomas J. Kersting, LPC, Ph.D is the author of FAT PROOF: Power Programming Your Bodies Weight-Loss Computer (Harbor Press, coming in Winter 2006). Dr. Tom has helped countless people to lose weight with his power programming method. Please visit his website to learn about his Power Programming Weight-Loss CD and free offer. Don't forget to sign-up for his free bi-weekly e-newsletter http://www.fatproof.net/
