Here are 5 tips to help you get your thinking on the track to weight loss and a lean and healthy lifestyle.

1. Focus on what you want in life.

Don’t know what you want? Just figure out what you do not want and change it to what you do want.  For example, if you don‘t want to go through summer busting out of your swimsuit or hiding under your cover-up, change your thinking to “I am fit, healthy and look great in shorts, my bikini, or whatever you want”.  It’s your vision, so see it, say it,  write it down,  and believe it so your brain can make the behavioral changes needed to see that outcome.

2.  Keep it positive

Your brain automatically agrees with your every thought and belief whether positive or negative. If you focus on being fat, or say it’s impossible to lose weight, or believe sweets are your weakness, your brain (which says “yes” to every statement) accepts that as fact and will trigger behavior to reinforce those beliefs.  Positive statements either written or spoken are powerful tools for the brain to act on to aid you in your fat loss efforts. Create “I am”, “I can”, and “I will” statements and post them in places you’ll see and affirm as reminders of your journey to a lean and healthy body. In the meantime, find ways to love yourself as is. Everyone, no matter what size they are, has attractive qualities they can focus on. Ask others what they like  about you and develop those strengths to be your best at any weight!

3.  Keep it real

Rather than setting a goal of a specific weight, picture a dress or pant size. Often when you gain muscle and lose fat, you may look more toned and lean than the scales show.

Don’t compare yourself to society’s image of “ideal size”. Do not let the stereotypes of the current Hollywood scene influence your goals. Many of the current celebrities are neither healthy nor beautiful when their bones are showing and the faces are gaunt and pale. They are sacrificing their long term health and longevity at the altar of money, vanity, and fame.

Celebrities who are healthy, fit, and lean often commit daily to 2 hours or more of intense fitness training. That is not realistic for most of us to plan into our already busy and stressed days. There are some very effective ways to get and stay fit and toned in 20-30 minutes daily, so, determine for yourself what size or weight is most ideal for your frame and ongoing lifestyle, and plan that into your schedule. As a side note, this seems to be a bigger problem for women than men.

Set your goal in segments and time frames, then design a lifestyle plan you can and will do. Expecting to lose 30 pound in 30 days is both unhealthy and unrealistic. Or, setting a goal of losing 60, 75, or 100 pounds may seem daunting. Instead, try setting achievable markers along the way such as 10 pounds in 6 weeks, and then another 10 pounds in 2 months, and so on. Keep in mind that the closer you get to your ideal size, the more you may have to change up your planned routine of both diet and exercise to avoid plateaus.

4.  Think like a thin person

Do you know people who are slim? They aren’t fixated on food or the need to lose weight. Their thoughts are the thoughts of a thin person. Study their habits and you’ll see what they do to be and stay that way. They rarely eat everything on their plate. They are usually active in sports and/or physical activity for fun, not for weight loss. They often eat less food, but more frequently. They eat to live, not live to eat. They take the time to savor their food and push their plate away when satisfied.  They are comfortable in the skin they’re in.

Think like a thin person and you’ll eat and live like a thin person. Eventually your body will catch up to your mind! Sounds crazy, right? Try it, it works!

5.  See all your activity as beneficial to fat  loss

As you go about your daily activities believe that each one is benefiting your health and helping you lose weight. Pulling the weeds, folding laundry, painting the garage door, are all activities that burn calories and keep you active. A recent study of hotel workers showed that if you “view” your daily activities as beneficial to weight loss and health, you’ll actually see better results in both.

The best thing about putting these thoughts into action is that they will affect more than just your weight. Getting rid of “stinkin thinkin” will literally change the way you view and live your life. Being lean and healthy is not something you do, but a lifestyle choice.

So what changes will you make today in the way you think?