Can Visualisation Help You Lose Weight?

Weight Loss

If you’ve been following my work you’ll know I’m a big fan of visualisation. I’ve talked about it as a tool for boosting your metabolism. And here I’ll be talking about using it as a powerful tool for achieving your weight loss goals.

Sure, I know it sounds unlikely, right? Picture yourself thin and you’ll be thin? Yeah, pull the other one I can practically hear you say.

But ironically, the number one hindrance I have found to losing weight is if you can’t see yourself as thin then you’re going to struggle to lose weight...

Can Exercise Alone Make You Thin?

Weight Loss

A common diet myth is that exercise alone will make you thin.

Now before we get into this one, I do want to mention that exercise has massive health benefits and you absolutely should try and get some regular exercise into your day.

Benefits include reduced blood pressure, reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart attack. As well as lowering your risk of developing cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

But, there is a common misconception that exercise alone will help you lose weight, and that’s just not true...

Stop Counting Calories and Start Losing Weight

Weight Loss

Everybody tells you that in order to lose weight you need to eat less and move more. And the way to do that is to count your calories.

And sure, consuming less energy than you expend is the key to weight loss. But counting calories is not the way to do it.

You might be surprised to know that calculating the exact calorific content of food is much harder than the boldly displayed numbers on food packages or menus would have you believe...

12 Ways To Drink More Water

Wellbeing, Weight Loss

I’m writing this article on the last day of a 5-day heatwave here in Sydney, Australia. Where temperatures have been in the high 30’s each day, peaking at 39 degrees Celsius today. Phew!

And while it is easier to remember to drink water in order to stay hydrated on days like today, on cooler days it is so much easier to forget.

Water is essential to life. And sadly, most of us living in the industrialised world are dehydrated and we don’t even know it.

The Benefits Of Eating Mindfully

Weight Loss

In today’s fast-paced world, most of us are used to doing everything in a hurry. Always dashing from one place to the next and trying to fit everything into the ever-decreasing chunks of time. Multitasking as we try to squeeze two or more things in at the same time.

Or perhaps multitasking, not due to lack of time, but to distract us from how we are really feeling.

Checking our social media feeds while eating to try fulfil our need for social connection and nutrition at the same time.

Why Food Is Not The Enemy

Weight Loss

We are genetically programmed to enjoy eating, but we’ve been taught that food is the enemy.

And we need to restrict what we eat if we want to lose weight.

And that certain foods are bad for us and will make us fat. How unfair.

Well yes, it would be. If it were true. But it’s not.

And being taught that we can’t eat what we want, whenever we want, has led to an obsession with food which is not only unhealthy, it’s also misleading.

Why Can't I Stay Awake During Meditation?

Wellbeing

Sometimes, despite your best efforts and intentions, you find you just can’t stay awake for the duration of your meditation.

Falling asleep during meditation is quite common, especially for beginners. When first practising meditation, while trying to achieve that balance between focussed attention and relaxation, it is easy to drift too far in one direction or the other. 

And sometimes you’ll find you try too hard and end up uptight and anxious, perhaps annoyed with yourself that you just can’t ‘get it right’. Forgetting that there is no ‘right’ way to practice meditation. And certainly no ‘right’ outcome or experience.

Hate Exercise? Try Rebounding

Wellbeing, Weight Loss

Let me guess. You know you should be exercising? You know it’s good for you? But you just can’t bring yourself to do it every day?

I was the same. I hated exercise, not because I hate the idea of it, but I hated the effort of it. Having to get up early to squeeze it in before work. Or having to drive to a gym, get changed, just to attend a class or use some equipment.

Hints To Keep You On Track With Meditation

Wellbeing

When you start a meditation practice, it can take a while until it becomes a habit. Until it feels weird NOT to meditate.

While working to make this a daily habit, there are a number of tips you can use to help keep you on track.

Resigning From The 'Clean Plate Club'

Weight Loss

Are you a member of the Clean Plate Club? I am. Well, I used to be.

When I was a child growing up, if I had any food left on my plate after dinner, I wasn’t allowed to leave the table, never mind even think of having dessert!

My parents tried all sorts of tactics. “Eat your dinner, and you’ll get ice cream/ cake/ chocolate mousse.” Yum, my favourite. And they knew it!