Could Your Beliefs Control Your Weight?

Which has the most control over your body, your mind, impulses, or your genetic make-up?

The answer might surprise you.

In the book, The Biology of Belief, cellular biologist Bruce Lipton, Ph.D., said, “It is not gene-directed hormones and neurotransmitters that control our bodies and our minds; our beliefs control our bodies and our minds, and thus our lives.”

This statement is worth taking a second look at, “Our beliefs control our bodies and our minds, and thus our lives.”

This concept, now widely accepted and embraced, was unfathomable and Earth-shattering to those in the scientific community just 37 years ago. Because it broke from conventional teaching, it took a while to catch on.

The idea that we have complete control of our bodies and minds via our beliefs was difficult for mainstream folks to swallow. Humans have blamed their environment, rearing, genetics, and each other for their life experiences for generations. The idea that we are not only responsible but also capable of changing our circumstances was outrageous. Who are we to blame now?

The knowledge that my beliefs influence my body and mind got me thinking about my weight loss journey. (Which, by the way, I have been on for as long as I can remember. According to my next birthday, it’s been a really long time.) I’ve always seen my body as overweight and have tried countless ways to change it, including weird diets like the pineapple diet and more civilized methods like Weight Watchers. None have worked well or quickly.

The funny thing is when I look at photos from late high school and college; I see myself as thin. And at the time, I thought I was heavy. How did my perception get so skewed?

As I pondered that my misguided beliefs were controlling my body and mind, I wondered what beliefs I was currently holding about my weight.

Two years of COVID fear, the stress of keeping my business afloat, and my mom’s diminishing health caused me to put on ten pounds. I know that may not sound like much, but at 185 pounds, it was the most I had ever weighed, even when pregnant. I felt hopeless. There was no way I could lose weight. (Notice the belief.)

A referral to an Arthritis specialist validated my negative body beliefs. It was when she said, “It wouldn’t hurt for you to lose a few pounds.” I not only felt hopeless but devastated. I had reached an all-time low, wallowing in despair and body disgust.

I’ve had six months to recover emotionally from her suggestion. Since then, I have become a vegetarian. I reduced my portion sizes. I drink only decaffeinated coffee. I lowered my wine consumption and became gluten-free. These changes are to reduce my weight while reducing inflammation within my body. Unfortunately, my progress has been slow, very slow. I questioned why the changes weren’t working better.

Then sitting by the pool this past Sunday afternoon, I was reminded of Dr. Lipton’s statement, “Our beliefs control our bodies.” And I began to wonder, what beliefs am I holding about my ability to lose weight and keep it off?

I listed 23 negative beliefs about my body/weight within ten minutes. Here are a few of them. Do any of them resonate with you?

• It’s hard for me to lose weight.
• I’ll never reach my goal weight of 160 pounds.
• I have to be very sick to lose weight and reach my goal.
• It’s hopeless and impossible.
• I will always be overweight.
• I hate getting on the scale at the doctor’s office because I’m embarrassed by my weight.

As soon as I exhausted every negative belief and could think of nothing else, I remembered that I have the skills and knowledge to change beliefs. That’s right! I have the necessary skills and expertise to change not only my own opinions but also the beliefs of others. That’s what I do for my clients. I help them rewire their brains. Release negative and limiting beliefs and replace them with positive, empowering ones.

To say that I had an epiphany at that moment is putting it mildly. It was a fricken wake-up call. I use my skills and knowledge daily to help my clients, but I had forgotten to use them myself.

From that moment, I started clearing my own beliefs about my weight. And as I did, I developed an entire 6-week weight loss coaching program called Mind-Body Reset. I’ll roll out the program in a beta format in two weeks.

It’s been two days since my ah-ha moment. As of today, several things have changed. 1. I’m eating smaller portions without effort or hunger. 2. I’m choosing foods that satisfy and stay with me. 3. I’m making healthier food choices by selecting fresh food over processed food. 4. I’ve stopped feeling deprived or cheated when I don’t have the foods my family members eat. 5. I’ve increased the amount of water I consume daily. 6. I’ve lost 2.5 pounds.

These results confirm Dr. Lipton’s hypothesis that our beliefs control our bodies and minds.

One final thought. You may not have an issue with your weight, but there may be another area of your life that is not quite right. Think of the area that is not ideal or working the way you would like. Make a list of the beliefs you hold about it. Your list is a great way to start making changes in your life.

Contact me if you wish to participate in the 6-week Mind-Body Reset Weight Loss Coaching Program. I’ll send you all you need to know about it.

Take care. And all the best to you!