Your body shape often reflects your mindset and mental discipline. Someone with a fit physique, low body fat, and visible abs typically demonstrates strong determination, self-discipline, and a concern for their health and appearance. On the other hand, people who are overweight might be dealing with stress, overwhelming work, or a lack of focus on their health. There are certainly other factors at play, but this captures the essence.
In essence, if you’re trying to get in shape solely by dieting and starting a new exercise plan, you might be missing the bigger picture. You’re addressing the symptoms but not the root cause. The focus should be on your mindset, thought processes, and overall lifestyle. Fortunately, there are tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help with this.
### What is CBT?
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a popular psychological approach recommended by many health experts. Unlike other therapies that delve into childhood experiences or learned behaviors, CBT concentrates on reprogramming your current thought patterns to be more positive and productive.
For instance, CBT involves paying attention to your thoughts and using techniques like positive affirmations to reshape them into more supportive ideas.
### How to Stop Craving Cake
Let’s say you often find yourself craving cake. Typically, you might think, “It’s so sweet,” or “I need a treat,” which can weaken your willpower. Instead, try shifting your focus to the negative aspects of eating cake. Remember the last time you overindulged and felt sick and guilty. Concentrate on that feeling while touching the fat around your stomach to remind yourself why you don’t want cake.
Silently repeat to yourself, “I don’t like cake.” Over time, this can help change your cravings. You might start preferring healthier, less rich desserts.
### Sticking to a Gym Routine
You can also use CBT to improve your consistency with exercise. If you dread the gym, you might focus on how long it takes or how tired you feel afterward. Shift your perspective by setting a small, manageable goal—just five minutes. Repeat to yourself that five minutes is enough as long as you do it every day.
Here’s the trick: once you’ve started, you’ll likely end up doing a full workout. But since you only committed to five minutes, you won’t feel overwhelmed or dread the routine.
By changing the way you think about food and exercise through simple CBT techniques, you can improve your health and well-being in the long term.