Sensei Talks  

What thoughts come to mind when you think about your body? Do you tend to focus on what’s “wrong”? Do you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable? Seriously, stop and think about this for a minute (and trust me…I know it’s not easy sometimes).

A lot of people who are trying to lose weight find this very difficult, but you can (and should) learn to accept and appreciate yourself. If it’s true what Buddha says “All that we are is the result of what we have thought”, then it becomes vital to take stock of the thoughts we are putting our attention on.

If your internal dialogue consists of messages like “Boy I look fat in these jeans” or “More men would pay attention to me if I were thinner”, then that is the negative energy you’re putting out there. Make sense? Constantly focusing on what we DON’T want is just going to attract more of what we DON’T want (and this principle goes for all areas of your life).

A healthy lifestyle is about more than simply eating well and exercising – it’s also about accepting and embracing your body and treating it well. Don’t wait until you’ve reached some ideal weight or some particular goal before you learn to notice what’s good about yourself and your body. After all, staying motivated requires that we celebrate every success along the way!

Remember, few people fit into or can ever obtain the “supermodel standard” of beauty. Yet, media images that bombard us with cellulite-free thighs and rock-hard abs distort our own body image and can leave us feeling inferior if we think we don't measure up.

Once you can be kind to yourself and accept where you are in the process of making changes, then it’s time to think about where you want to go. A great motivational tool I use is visualization. Instead of putting your attention on the negative feelings or coming down on yourself for not meeting the “ideal” image, envision yourself at your goal. Imagine exactly how it will look and feel (feels good doesn’t it?) and keep the images positive! Do this often and before you know it your dreams will become a reality.

- Lauren