A waist is a terrible thing to mind

Alexia Elliott explains how self acceptance is key, to successful weight loss
Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis offer a long term solution which incorporates happiness. So says Alexia Elliott, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Master practitioner of NLP &TLT at Empowerment Hypnotherapy Leicester: weight loss Leicester

Many of my past clients were experts in self criticism and self hatred; many have told me much they hate their bodies. When I mention the word acceptance and how useful it might be to accept how they are right now, they often looked shocked at me for daring to mention such an idea, the idea of acceptance can be initially be misunderstand. They often interpret acceptance, as giving up, and giving up would be the ultimate dieting failure; at least there is an honour and dignity in continuing to fight. A general fear is that, if they did accept their bodies, it might lead to complacency or getting bigger in size.

What I mean by acceptance is, accepting how you are right now. If you can accept how you are right now, then it can put you in a more resourceful position to change. If you cannot accept yourself, as you are right now, of course you are still in a position to change, but you also, have many negative thoughts and feelings about yourself, and your body, which can make it hard work, and tiresome, when working towards weight loss. I prefer to use the term, "creating a healthy relationship with food".

I remember working with a lady once that held a limiting belief, that she was unlovable. Can you imagine how hard it was for her after years of trying to lose weight, after embarking on every weight loss diet, all the money she has spent on weight loss diets, doing something which she believed would make her feel good, when really, she believed deep down, she believed she was unlovable.
After years of weight loss diets, which had not been successful in her getting the results of weight loss she desired, despite a part of her really wanting to be slimmer and healthier, another part of her felt she wasn't lovable so why bother. She was well aware she had thoughts, which made each interaction with food an inner battle.

Examples: why don't you just eat those crisps you will always be fat" " why bother you have failed every other time" when she became aware of these unconscious thought of being unlovable, she was amazed and for the first time she understood, why she has been sabotaging her weight loss diets. We worked on these limiting beliefs and she practiced acceptance and respect towards her body, she began to create a healthy relationship with food and herself which led to successful weight loss.

Making the change to being respectful and accepting your body isn't always easy, but it's possible and requires mindfulness, persistence and practice and it's very worthwhile and liberating. So when I introduce the concept of acceptance to my clients they often, look surprised as the reason they sought help was because they do not accept their body and want to change it. The strange paradox with this is, in my experience as a specialist in weight loss, in order for people to get to their natural body weight they need to accept their bodies and treat their body with respect.

In NLP there is a term "if what you are doing doesn't work, do something else", if repeated weight loss diets and a negative attitude towards your body has been part of your past or current strategies to weight loss, and you have not got the result you want then, maybe it's time to try a new attitude towards yourself. When people get stuck in the "I hate my body mindset" and delaying kindness towards oneself, putting it off what you really want to do, till that day comes when you have lost the weight .E.g. I'll get my hair done when I have lost 1 stone in weight, I'll start going out with friend when I have lost some weight. Effectively you have put off treating yourself kindly, and the empty promises go and life becomes more and more empty. Judith Rodin in her book Body Traps says "you don't need to lose weight first in order to take care of yourself, in fact, the process actually happen quirt in the reverse"

Imagine making weight loss a secondary goal, and respecting your body the primary goal, it will help you move forward. What I mean by this is to treat your body with respect and kindness, taking care of your health, putting an end to weight loss diets and finding healthy solutions which lead to happiness. I would like to add, that by respecting your body doesn't mean you have like every part of your body to respect it. Respecting your body means treating it with dignity.

Respecting your body is integral to developing a healthy relationship with food.

Every time you catch a negative body thought, replace it with a positive thought. For many years I hated my thighs, in the process of developing respect and acceptance towards my body, I had to change this, too I have strong thighs.
Replace all the negative statement with something positive.

Examples
I hate my double chin........I have lovely shiny hair
I can't stand the cellulite on my legs.........I'm lucky to have legs that can move my body
My body is horrible........My body is the body that allows me to experience life

Practice: Random daily acts of kindness
Each day do one thing, which is kind and respectful

Some examples
Drinking water or eating healthy life giving food
Bathing in oils by candlelight
Or speaking kindly to yourself
Buying new underwear
Going to bed early
Walking in nature
I appreciate this may require some help and assistance, as to become an expert in self hatred, it has possibly taken years of negative programming, I would recommend working with a professional Hypnotherapist, to help you develop a respectful relationship with your body
I offer FREE consultations if you have questions please feel free to contact me via email or telephone.

I wish you well
Alexia Elliott
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Leicester UK

Alexia Elliott is a Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Leicester Leicestershire UK,, she is a leading specialist in weight loss and weight related issues, Alexia Elliott offers free Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy & NLP consultation in Leicester.
Call today to make an appointment.Tel:07966412209
Weight Loss Leicester

Weight loss in Leicester with hypnosis techniques and hypnotherapy weight loss programmes. Take control of your eating and lose weight in Leicester by hypnosis non diet personal sessions.
Please visit my site www.weightlossleciester.co.uk