At the Marc Bony Chiropractic Center in Mataró, we understand that effective weight loss is based on a holistic approach. Discover how chiropractic care can be an ally on your journey to a healthy weight.
Everything you need to lose weight is in your mind
Many of us are driven by the desire to lose weight. However, rather than looking for it outside ourselves, perhaps this ability lies within us. The truth is that our genetic makeup includes something called a “fat switch,” which was necessary for survival during times of famine. Thanks to this, the human body could endure by drawing on its fat reserves, using them for energy when no food was available.
Although circumstances have changed, this switch is triggered and remains active even when it shouldn't be, which leads to increased fat storage in order to cope with any situation it perceives as a threat.
However, it is possible to easily turn off this switch simply by clearly giving our body instructions so that it understands it should “burn” rather than “store” fat, thereby achieving our ideal weight.
You gain weight because your body thinks it needs those extra kilos
Some theories regarding obesity suggest that we accumulate fat because our bodies consider it necessary for survival. This would explain why the more extreme the diet, the greater the weight gain afterward. According to this theory, the body perceives dieting as a threat and tends to gain weight because it believes it is protecting you.
The author of the book *The Gabriel Method*, Jon Gabriel, (published by Urano), and one of the leading proponents of this theory—which enabled him to lose 104 kg in three years—states that: “The body has the ability to force you to gain weight just as it has the ability to force you to breathe.”.
According to this theory, excess weight is not due to a lack of willpower, but rather because the body has determined it to be so. This initiative also offers support to help eliminate the guilt associated with being overweight and replace it with a proactive attitude.
When you feel like everything makes you gain weight, that feeling is real
Even though many people may think you're overreacting, this could actually be true because you're in “savings mode.”.
The dangers that threatened humans millions of years ago were hunger, predators, and the cold, but these no longer exist in today’s societies. However, there are other threats capable of triggering exactly the same warning mechanisms, producing chemicals similar to those generated by our ancestors in the past.
Our brain interprets certain circumstances—including emotional ones—as a threat of danger or hunger, triggering fat storage, or what author Jon Gabriel calls “the FAT programs.”.
It’s important to reflect on our lives and identify aspects that trigger pain or fear—which the brain interprets as a sign that our body is in danger. Here are some possible threats:
Personal dissatisfaction. Feeling dissatisfied is similar to being in a stressful and uncomfortable situation. This also leads you to seek comfort in eating sweets.
Family problems. This can cause you to gain weight quickly, even if you're eating very little. This is especially true if there are constant arguments at home or if you're dealing with a hostile environment.
Work-related stress. The body always perceives stress as a threat, which causes it to begin “conserving” energy; in addition, cortisol—the substance that triggers hunger par excellence—is released.
Fear of change. If you can't easily adapt to the changes happening around you, your mind will perceive them as a threat from which it must protect itself, causing you to gain weight.
What can you tell yourself to reprogram your mind?
You may be able to reprogram your mind so that it no longer believes that storing fat actually protects you from danger. Instead, you need to send it messages that differ from those already stored in its genetic memory. The following phrases might help you:
“There are no real threats, so I don’t need to carry around these extra kilos to survive.”
“I can handle the problems that come up without having to overeat as a way to cope.”
“If I lose the extra weight, I’ll be more active, I’ll feel more confident, and my health will improve.”
“I will learn to eat what my body truly needs, which is different from everyone else’s because this is my life, which is also different from everyone else’s.”
“My body wants lose weight. ”To do that, I don’t need to suffer or give up the foods I like.”
Turn off your fat switch and lose weight now!
If you follow a healthy diet tailored to your needs, losing weight will be much easier than you think.
You probably don't feel completely comfortable with your body, or perhaps you wish some aspects of your life were different, however, you must set aside the negativity and not let it take root in your thoughts, since that will only lead to stress—and you know that this will trigger further weight gain. So all you can do is stay positive and believe in yourself.
Try not to dwell on your regrets. According to Jon Gabriel, if you constantly complain, you’re just sending out distress signals to your body, as if you were saying, “I’m not safe—do something.”.
It's a good idea to stay away from things you don't like and instead focus on positive thoughts.
Losing weight won't be that hard. The more you remind yourself how easy it will be, the more you'll believe in it, and the fewer difficulties you'll face—so every day you'll be one step closer to your goal.
As you adopt a positive mindset, you'll start eating only what your body needs, choosing healthy, lower-calorie meals instead of pastries. You'll be your own best advisor.
A meal plan that will help your mind feel organized
First of all, you should avoid any kind of strict diet; that way, you'll provide your body with the nutrients it needs, and your brain will understand.
There’s a wide variety of foods that are both healthy and delicious—and can easily replace any pastries or snacks. So junk food isn’t necessary in your life. You can make a list of appealing foods. For example: melon and ham, stuffed olives, and non-alcoholic beer. Remember to keep it handy.
When you feel like eating something very fatty, try this exercise: with your eyes closed, imagine your stomach after you've eaten it. It feels great, doesn't it?
This season offers you plenty of fresh food options that will provide the nutrients your body—especially your brain—needs. Avoid buying packaged products as much as possible.
Organic foods are rich in nutrients, so choose them whenever you can.
Remember that you shouldn't cut out fats entirely, since your cells need some of them; otherwise, they'll “store them up.” Just choose the healthy ones, such as extra-virgin olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and avocados, among others.
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