What makes you succeed at some things and fail at others?

How well do you know yourself? We mean REALLY know yourself? We’re not just talking vital statistics, favourite food and hobbies and interests.

Does how you describe yourself really reflect your true personality? Is it all a little one-dimensional? In fact, do you really know what your true personality is? Maybe you thought you did but your personality has changed over time, or maybe you have never had a chance to get to know the real you?

In this feature we’ll show you how you can learn to recognise and love YOU. Once you know and love yourself you will start to succeed where you have failed before.

Being true to yourself

Knowing yourself will mean that you can be confident of your potential and your abilities. You will be able to anticipate how you would react in a crisis or how you would manage a new task. By knowing yourself better you will be able to accomplish a better decision-making ability, which can help in all aspects of life (including the decisions you make around food).

At Slim & Save our weight-loss experts believe that you can harness the power of your ‘sixth sense’ on your personal weight-loss journey. For example, if you are the type of person that has hunches, feelings about things or intuition then developing your understanding of your sixth sense can maximise your abilities and make you become fulfilled as a person.

When you reach a position of self-fulfilment you will feel empowered and inspired. This is especially relevant when you are on a Total Food Replacement programme. Being on a TFR allows you to re-train your decision-making abilities and change your eating habits for the better. You are more likely to succeed and make positive changes because you will not be focussed on conventional food and calorie counting. You can channel your energies into becoming fulfilled as a person.

The fact that you have chosen Slim & Save and decided to change your eating habits shows your appreciation of yourself. Everyone has it within them to love him or herself. On a TFR your body will benefit as you will be nourishing your body with 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals, drinking lots of water and becoming more physically active.

Learning how to succeed

There will probably have been underlying reasons for your decision to change your eating habits. Maybe it was health, or physical or emotional aspects. Sometimes people have negative experiences or are bullied because of their weight. If you feel you have been a victim because of your weight then you should a) acknowledge that you have been a victim in the past and b) know that you can move away from that situation into one of empowerment. Sometimes victims have an inner voice or ‘self chatter’, which constantly criticises them. To help you succeed you should replace your inner voice with a positively loving and supportive voice. Try repeating in your mind “I am happy and positive. I am determined to succeed”.

Comfort Eating

There may be times when you feel tempted to comfort eat. The more you come to know yourself, the more you will learn to recognise whether you are craving food or something emotional like love or attention.

Fears, doubts and insecurities can be overcome by writing them down in a notebook or diary. The following day re-visit the list and then write a response next to each one such as:

NOTE: I am really worried that I won’t get that new job because of my weight. Who would want me? I am too fat.

RESPONSE: The fact that I have an interview in the first place is positive. If they overlook me because of my appearance then that shows that they are weak and prejudiced. I know I can do the job and I will tell them how at the interview.

Succeed more and fail less

In order to succeed in your weight-loss goals you will need to be disciplined. Consider for a moment how you deal with discipline in everyday life e.g. sticking to the speed limit when you drive, taking the dog for a walk every day etc.

Then ask yourself:

• Why do you fail and what makes you succeed at things?
• How do you set personal goals?
• Do you ever sabotage your own efforts?
• Are you ready to take control of your eating habits?
• What obstacles currently exist which may hinder your success?
• Can you progress beyond your limitations?
• Do you know what (or who) is holding you back?
• Can you sense your inner strength?
• What have you learned so far from life?

Once you are confident you know the answers to these questions you will prove that you know yourself pretty well. Your foundations for achieving weight-loss will therefore be very strong.

Mountain climbing with Slim & Save

If you are at the start of your weight-loss journey you might see it like being at the foot of a mountain. As you start to climb you are aware of your physical heaviness and tiredness. You move slowly because you are carrying some mental baggage and it is also physically difficult for you to move quickly. However, the more you climb the nearer you get to the top of the mountain. Stop for a moment and look down at what you have already achieved. From this viewpoint you can start to put things into perspective. The worries, doubts and fears which you thought you had at the foot of the mountain are now almost gone. You have got them into perspective.

Once you reach the top of the mountain you will have got to know yourself along the way. You are victorious. You have achieved a fantastic journey of self-discovery, change and positivity. Use this energy to inspire others and the energy will last forever.