Posted on 23 Oct 2014 Views 4600 Comments 9

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.

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

Chrisie 22/01/2017 11:24

Loved the article and wanted to add a suggestion. In the past I have used relaxation/hypnosis audio books and apps which have really helped when used regularly . Would be good to have a specific vlcd version that that isn't centred on food. And then can use food centred recordings once goal is reached
Ps I'll be your first customer if you sell them . As an idea of narrator I use Racheal meadow relaxation and exercise motivation ones bought from audible and think her voice fits with this slimmer/customer base

Angela May 09/11/2014 21:48

Well I just read what 'Pam Hunter' wrote and it was like reading about myself, as my sister and I are looking after my Mum who is 90 this Christmas, she is totally disabled and suffers with dementia. There are lots of other family problems we are having to deal with and its really hard to stay focused. Its good to know its really just life and we have to get on with it and make the best of what we can.

Pam Hunter 31/10/2014 16:05

For me it's interest and available headspace. Plus, if I'm honest, I'll do it for someone else before I do it for myself. I've been in a position of getting to know myself again since I lost my parents 20 months ago. They'd both been elderly and poorly for a long time and my sister and I did everything we could to make their last few years comfortable. It was very difficult at times and I grew a lot as a person. My whole life went on hold as I juggled them, kids and work - all on my own. By the time they'd both gone, my kids were suddenly no longer kids and my life was my own again for the first time in years. I was totally lost and without my Mum to rebel against, I'm finding it hard to make positive choices just for me. For example, getting back on the diet - doing it first time round was as a result of her telling me I'd never lose the weight so I did it to prove her wrong. Without her I'm having to dig deep to find my own reasons to do it. I'm learning every day that I can do things I dread or simply don't want to do. Deep breaths, stay focussed, get it done. I surpise myself with what I get through. I can handle to bad stuff ok now. I just need to concentrate on me and the good stuff and allow myself to believe it CAN happen. I daily fight the little voices that tell me it's too late, that I'm too old, that I'm 'meant' to be this way. It's never too late to reinvent yourself, to rediscover yourself or indeed to look after yourself. Challenge obstacles, don't accept them!

Louise Palmer 30/10/2014 10:58

I find boredom the number one instigator at tempting me to fail - Especially if it’s a diet! If I am positive and truly believe in something then I go for it. I am an all or nothing kind of person! It is really hard to keep positive or stick to anything if it bores me to tears. For example: I once tried a low calorie diet and the only things it allowed me to eat on it was celeriac, lentils and alfalfa sprouts! Now I was the most miserable person on the planet, and it was easy for the “bad” voice in my head to say “Hello, you are making yourself and everyone around you miserable – Have that bit of cake and all would be right with the world” and think it was a reasonable argument.
With anything, I have to see results, it can’t impede with my day to day life, is simple and most of all enjoyable! I love the fact with S&S that I do not feel deprived and the yummy bars keep that nasty voice away in regards to swaying me in to having a biscuit.
In order to be successful, as well as believing in yourself and keeping that positive mental attitude (PMA!) going it really does help if the end goal is achievable and that there is support and as well as learning curves, lots of fun along the way!

Louise Palmer 30/10/2014 10:57

Nikki Hatwell 29/10/2014 17:10

I find I succeed if I Plan well and stay focussed for that day, it is easier then to know what I am doing and eating, so sticking to it is much easier to do. I find I fail at things if I am emotional (happy or sad), I reward myself with food if I am happy or sad.. then feel guilty the day after. My Day 1 went really well,but I had not allowed for the contents of the fridge when I go home and then picked, so ended up failing. Started again the following day and I had made sure that everything in the fridge was labelled to who's it was, ie 2 pizzas were for my 2 older kids, 2 curry's also. So if I had picked at these I would have eaten my kids food. So that was food for thought if you like. It worked :) and now on Day 2.

Caroline Hallett 26/10/2014 12:09

since starting S&S in August I have lost 4 stone - I have another 4 to go. This article was so timely for me as now people are noticing my weight loss there was a niggly voice at the back of my head telling me I could stop now as I have done enough. Reading this has made me revisit my goals I made at the end of July and made me doubly committed to not listen to that voice but my own voice which set the goals when I was at my biggest and unhappy. Small steps every week lead to a big journey - and if you were wanting to get from A to B you wouldn't just stop halfway and give up :-) thank you

susan jacobs 26/10/2014 07:23

This is the first diet that I have really looked forward to weighing in ,every week,I have been trying to lose weight for the past twenty years and I have had a steady weight loss on this,from day number 1.I am now at my goal,but going for a further 4lbs to make up the gain when you first start back re-eating.I love myself now and my new figure and at the age of 67 am lapping up the compliments.So my advice to you all is keep going be true ts yourselves because you just cannot fail.

Tabatha G 23/10/2014 12:05

Really good points made in this article. Starting this diet made me realise how much I eat just out of habit or because I think it will make me feel good. There are other things I can do to feel better about myself and one of them is being on Slim & Save. I decided to start putting myself first and be a bit kinder.