The little voices that we all have in our heads are one of the hardest battles we face when it comes to weight loss.  You know what I mean, don’t you? Sometimes the little voice in my head tells me “just skip the gym today, you’ll make it up another time” or “yuck, look at these flabby arms, you’ll never be able to tone them” or “what the heck, you’re already ordering a burger, might as well get the fries too!”

These voices can make it difficult for anyone to keep their diet and healthy habits on track which is why being mindful of these thoughts is essential. Mindfulness is something new that I’m working on to help me think more positively. I try to be aware at all times of what those little voices are telling me, and then determine if what the voice says is helping me or bringing me down.

“I already ordered a double bacon cheeseburger, I might as well get the large fries too!”

The next time your little voice says that, be mindful and realize that it’s not doing you any good! If you decide to get a bacon cheeseburger one day, don’t beat yourself up. Just decide not to get the fries and I’m sure you’ll feel much better about yourself. Substitute the fries for something healthy like a salad or fresh apple slices.

Another thing many of us tell ourselves is that “I’ve already blown it today, I might as well keep on eating.” Janet Polivy who’s a professor at the University of Toronto calls this the “what the hell” effect. That’s exactly what the double bacon cheeseburger and large fries scenario would be. “What the hell, I’m already eating the burger, who cares if I eat the fries, I’ve already blown it!” And once you’ve blown it a few times, it’s harder and harder to get back on track. So with that, here are a few tips.

How to keep your diet on track:

• Allow yourself to indulge on occasion, but indulge on one  “unhealthy” food with other healthy foods.
• Be mindful of your little voices and what they’re telling you
• Eat mindfully - consciously think about every bite you’re taking and what’s going into your body