Words to Lose Weight By

Are you aware of the words you say to yourself? You may not say the words out loud, but your mind is communicating both positive and negative thoughts morning, noon, and night. Research shows that a person thinks anywhere from about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Are thousands of your thoughts fueling your success or sabotaging your weight loss?

I once read that “ugly thoughts make ugly faces.” Your thoughts truly make a difference in your life. As it says in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

When you think about changing your eating habits, think about what you can eat, instead of what you can’t. If you’re focused on the mouth-watering foods you’re missing, you’ll feel like a punished child. Instead, think about what you can eat—all the “yeses” in your diet. I had to reprogram my mind to think about delicious fruits instead of ice cream … fresh vegetables instead of bread. And you know what happened? After awhile, I really did enjoy the healthier foods more because I felt better after eating them.

In addition to thinking positive thoughts, you can take it to the next level by audibly saying healthy affirmations to yourself. The more senses you involve, the more the message will stick. When you’re saying, “I eat healthy and make good choices” out loud, you can’t be reaching for a bag of cookies. When you say, “I work out six times a week,” you’re much more likely to do just that.

Write affirmations and prayers that mean something to you. Make them as specific as possible. Declare “I can” and “I will” instead of “I try.” If you say, “I try to eat healthy everyday,” you give yourself an out. When you eat something unhealthy, you rationalize by saying, “Well, I tried.” Create statements that push you to the next level. Every morning, pray for the Lord to direct your steps and remember what it says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Here’s something you can try today. Write a statement that summarizes how you currently feel about your ability to lose weight. Now take that statement and make it a positive affirmation if it isn’t already. You can also pray about it. For example, if you wrote:

Weight: “I feel stuck. I try to lose weight but nothing changes.”

Positive affirmation: “I can lose weight by eating right and exercising 5 days a week.

I am excited to see results!”

Prayer: “Lord, help me make the right choices by the power of your Holy Spirit.”

As you fill your mind with hopeful statements from God’s Word, you will see positive changes in your life and your waistline!

“Teach me Your way O Lord; I will walk in your truth.” Psalm 86:11

Arlene Pellicane is the author of 31 Days to a Younger You: No Surgery. No Diets. No Kidding (Harvest House Publishers). Before becoming a stay home mom and author, Arlene worked as a features reporter for The 700 Club and an associate television producer for Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah. As fun as those jobs were, nothing compares to parenting her three young children. Visit Arlene’s website for tips on looking and feeling younger (without botox or diet pills!).

Article photo copyright © 2009 Kelly Sauer. Used with permission.