What if you don't need willpower for weight loss?  

By Lori Hammond

Coach and Professional Hypnotist. Giving you simple tools to stop overwhelm and harness joyful forward momentum.

Once upon a time, there was a curious elephant named Melvin. 

Melvin's trainer marched him down the vibrant streets of India for religious processions. Fruit and vegetable stands lined the streets. 

Melvin knew he wasn't supposed to pay attention to them but he just couldn't help it!

To the right, he noticed a coconut stand. Oh, how Melvin loves coconuts! As soon as he saw them, he SWOOPED up a coconut in his trunk and dropped it into his mouth. 

To the left were bright yellow, enticing bananas. As soon as they caught Melvin's eye, they were in his mouth.

"STOP MELVIN! STOP!" the townspeople yelled. 

Then one day, Melvin's trainer had an idea.

He gave Melvin a bamboo stick to carry in his trunk. 

How Melvin LOVED bamboo! 

He held the bamboo high in his trunk for all to see.

He was so happy about his bamboo that he didn't even notice those old roadside distractions. 

 Do you get distracted by food cravings? 

Maybe you're going about your day, minding your own business, when you notice a thought about food.

You become so enticed that you feel you must SWOOP up that food!

Or you're eating a meal and you know you've had enough but you JUST CAN'T STOP because it tastes so good!

Here's a really cool neuroscience fact. (Don't worry, I'm going to tie this all together very soon)

Neuroscience fact: Two thoughts cannot occupy the same space at the same time. 

When you are thinking about food, it crowds out all other thoughts. It's like Melvin with those roadside distractions. He sees a banana and forgets everything else until he gets it in his belly! 

Some people try to use willpower to stop cravings, but that just makes it worse. (I'm anti-willpower.)

Melvin's trainer was unable to stop him from grabbing food until he shifted Melvin's focus. 

No amount of logic or reasoning can stop a craving. The harder you try to stop, the more frustrated you'll become. 

So what's the solution?

Grab a bamboo stick! 

Your metaphorical bamboo stick is your new self-talk.

I'll show you what I mean.

Try this right now.

(Even if you're snuggled in bed on Sunday morning.)

1. Sit up straight and relax your shoulders and jaw. 
2. Take a deep belly breath and exhale for twice as long as you inhaled.
3. Tell yourself, "I am content in THIS moment." 

And notice that contentment in your body.

Does that seem too simple? 

I double dare you to use those three steps the next time you experience a craving. 

Something magical happens when we acknowledge that we're ok. Just by telling yourself a new story. 

Food cravings happen when we think we're not ok so noticing your ok-ness vaporizes the craving.

The best part? It takes less than 3 seconds to shut down the craving. 

Repeat as many times as you want throughout the day to train yourself to automatically focus on your metaphorical bamboo stick. 

I hope you loved this easy technique! Be watching for another great cheat sheet next week. 

Love,

Lori