So can we change, and how…?
So can we change what we eat, and how? When it comes to making lifestyle changes, it’s different for everyone. For some making changes to their diet to lose weight is easy. But for others, it’s very much harder. But why is that? And can those changes become permanent? So just what makes it difficult, and how can overcome those difficulties…? With a better understanding of the science of change, we hope to make it a little easier for you to introduce lasting changes in your life.
So can we change what we eat?
The Science of Change
Have you ever resolved to lose weight, or eat healthier, only to find yourself back at square one a few weeks later? If so, youโre not alone. Change can be hard, and sustaining healthy new behaviours around food can be even harder. One key principle of change is understanding that behaviours are just habits and nothing more; theyโre automatic and often unconscious. Psychologies Magazine featured our work.
So can we change what we eat, and how?
The science of change draws on research from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, and sociology. One principle of change is that it’s a process that occurs over time. People seldom wake up one day and decide to completely change their diets, or stop smoking, or drinking alcohol. Instead, change typically happens gradually, as people experiment with new behaviours and gradually adopt those that are more conducive to their goals.
So can we change, and how
Another principle of change that has been observed was that to successfully introduce any change requires a certain amount of effort and motivation. People who can stick to their goals using willpower and motivation are typically those who are able to make lasting permanent changes in their lives.
The Model of Change
Change is hard, but not impossible. Anyone who has ever tried to diet or lose weight can attest to that. But just why is change so difficult? We know that we need to change our diet for the sake of our health and our appearance: we have dreamed about it for months, so why is it so hard? In part, itโs because our brains are wired to resist it.
So can we change what we eat?
The brain is an incredibly efficient machine, and it likes things to stay the same. When we try to change our habits, our brains perceive it as a threat and go into โresistance mode.โ But there is hope! By understanding how the brain responds to change, we can develop strategies to help us overcome our resistance.
What makes change difficult?
Making permanent changes in our lives can be difficult for several reasons. First, we often underestimate the power of habit. Even small, seemingly innocuous habits can be remarkably difficult to break. Second, we tend to be creatures of comfort and change can be uncomfortable. This is especially true if the change requires us to step outside our comfort zone.
So can we change what we eat?
Finally, we may have a fear of failure. We may be worried that we won’t be able to stick to the change or that we’ll make things worse. However, it’s important to remember that change is possible and that even small changes can have a big impact on our lives. With perseverance and a positive attitude, we can overcome the challenges of making permanent changes.
How to make lasting changes
Many of us resolve to make changes in our lives around food, drink, and diet at different times. For some of us, it is at the start of a new year that we reflect on our lifestyles and decide that we would like to make some improvements. Often, our motivation is driven by a desire to improve our health, or physical appearance.
Introduce Change – Today….
So let me give you the number one tip around change. I said at the beginning that Behaviours are no more than simple Habits. The problem with habits and changing them is that most, if not all are held at an unconscious level. We are often not aware of our actions, almost completing them on auto-pilot. To change a habit we need to convert it into conscious action, then we can successfully tackle it.
So can we change what we eat
An example from a recent past client; one of Linda’s problems was that each day she would call into the local garage on the way home and treat herself to a tube of Pringles and a bar of chocolate. She would then drive slowly to ensure that she had finished both of them before arriving home. She told me she always hid the wrappers, to ensure that her husband never saw the evidence.Then she would sit down and eat a full dinner!!!
So can we change what we eat?
She told me that sometimes she didn’t even remember calling in the garage or eating the snacks, at least not till afterwards. Linda said that by hiding the wrappers she could almost convince herself that she had not eaten them.
We knew that to help Linda to lose weight the issue had to be addressed, so we set out to convert it to a conscious habit instead. Linda was told to call at the garage every night on her way home, and buy her normal supplies. Then she had to drive home and sit outside the house in her car and eat her Pringles and Mars Bar, slowly and mindfully, instead of whilst she was driving.
After ten days she phoned and said she could not continue, she said it was taking too much of her time. She said the neighbors had started looking out of the window and watching her sitting in the car stuffing a whole tube of Pringles down her throat every night. Also now that she was eating the food slowly and mindfully, she was so full she could not face the evening meal with her family.
Another tactic sometimes used is to allow the client to carry on eating whatever the problem item is, but insert a rule that they first had to sit down and record details of the food in a small notebook, and then review the book with a family member on a weekly basis. These may initially sound to you like small insignificant changes, but they almost always work.
The Model of Change
Something else you need to understand is the model of change, and what it looks like. The image below is the one that most people expect or maybe hope for, sadly it is not even close to reality. So can we change what we eat.
Permanent change always happens over time, you will without doubt experience a number of lapses along the way, everyone does. It’s vital that you are able to distinguish the difference between a relapse and a lapse, they are very different. A lapse is a temporary, small, almost unimportant stray from the route you are wishing to follow.
Don’t Give in to Pizza….
Maybe as an example, you go out to dinner with friends and even though you had made a commitment to yourself not to have pizza, you give in when you see everyone else enjoying theirs.
So can we change what we eat?
In all honesty, one dessert is not going to mess things up! It is just a lapse, so be aware of it, and simply commit to being more ‘on track’ tomorrow. Below is an actual model of change compiled by a university in the States; it is what you are going to experience. You can see the four lapses: expect them, and work out a strategy in advance to ensure you get back on track again as soon as possible.
Introducing change around our diet can often be a challenge. As they say: old habits die hard! We will have developed certain eating and drinking habits over many years, and it can be tough to break out of them. Also, we live in a world where unhealthy food is freely available and often cheaper than the healthy alternative.
Sarah Hart, photo below, appeared on TV following her 140 pound weight loss, following her treatment with us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, change is not easy but it is possible. Making permanent changes in our lives requires effort and motivation. However, by using the ‘Model of Change’ and taking things one step at a time, we can make lasting changes to our diet and improve our health in the long term. So can we change what we eat.
Our award-winning, weight-loss treatment is completely Psychology-focused. It revolves around an enhanced version of CBT that was developed over ten years at our own clinic, resulting in the treatment we provide being 100 per cent exclusive. Read on the pages of this website a number of verified case studies, and media reviews.
How to change what you eat
FAQ 1: I’ve been trying to eat healthier but I always end up going back to my old habits. What can I do to make permanent changes?
ANSWER: Change is not easy, but it is possible. Making permanent changes in our lives requires effort and motivation. However, by using the Model of Change and taking things one step at a time, we can make lasting changes to our diet and improve our health in the long term.
FAQ 2: What is the Model of Change?
ANSWER: The Model of Change is a tool that can be used to help make permanent changes in our lives. It consists of three stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, and action.
FAQ 3: I’m struggling to stick to my diet. What can I do?
ANSWER: First, make sure that you’re realistic about the changes you’re trying to make. Trying to change everything at once is likely to be overwhelming and lead to failure. Second, take things one step at a time and focus on making small changes.
Are you tired of trying an endless list of diets that just donโt work? And becoming weary of your efforts, which always result in you regaining all the lost weight? Are you looking for a medically endorsed solution; one based on thousands of hours of clinical experience? Maybe something that doesnโt involve following a restrictive diet, doing lots of exercise, or having invasive surgery…?
So can we change what we eat
So, go ahead, relax, and take a few minutes to daydream… What would it be like to be slim and healthy, to be at your target weight? Can you imagine if you never had to go on a diet again, or be afraid of food? What if you were able to enjoy every social event, with the amazing feeling of extra energy, and improved self-esteem?
Award-Winning Weight-Loss Solution
Read on to find out about our award-winning solution! But first, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Martin and Marion Shirran, and we have worked in the field of weight loss for almost 20 years. We are both clinical therapists, and the developers of the globally acclaimed Gastric Mind Band Permanent Weight-Loss Treatment.
Martin and Marion Shirran
Articles about our successful clients have appeared in many different newspapers, including the Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph and the Express. Additionally, magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Hello, Woman, Reader’s Digest and Psychologies have featured our work.
Over a thousand people, including medical professionals, celebrities, and members of the public, have travelled from around the world, to experience our weight-loss treatment. They invested their time and money because we are regarded as specialists in the weight-loss arena.
Successful Weight Loss
Some clients simply want to shed their excess weight to look better, however others tell us that health is the main reason. Many of our past clients have successfully reversed medical conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease, whereas others have managed to avoid having knee, or hip replacement surgery.
So can we change what we eat
Our weight-loss approach has been the subject of continued research and development over the last fifteen years. Sharon, above, lost 75 pounds. Our youngest client was just fourteen, and the oldest, eighty-six. You may be interested to read about some of our successful clients and see a selection of before and after photos on our Success Stories page.
Some clients wished to lose just a few pounds to fit into their wedding dress. However, Katie, above, lost 100 pounds, and Sarah, below, went on to lose over 140 pounds. As a result, she was featured globally on the TV and in the press. Follow this link to sign up for our course now, and you can start your weight-loss journey today.
Psychology-Focused Weight-Loss Method
The treatment is based on proven science, incorporating Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Neuroplasticity. It also includes our own Life Architecture Therapy, along with TCBT, our upgraded version of CBT, which is the subject of our bestselling book, published globally by Hay House. Professor Windy Dryden, of Goldsmiths University in London, endorsed the book, and Professor Philip Zimbardo, of Stanford University in the USA, wrote the foreword.
You can feel comfortable in the knowledge that our weight-loss approach has been the treatment of choice by many different medical specialists, including doctors, dentists, nurses, anaesthetists and consultant surgeons. You may like to read more details on our Medical Endorsements page.
So can we change what we eat
So, how would you feel, if you had the opportunity today, to sit down over an ever flowing cup of coffee, with two experienced, weight-loss specialists? And, what if, over the course of 12 hours, we explained everything you need to know to effortlessly achieve permanent weight loss? And we also shared with you all the tips, techniques and secrets we normally reserve exclusively for our visiting international clients?
My Weigh Less Downloadable Weight-Loss Course
Well, the good news is you can! And thatโs because we have spent many months completely reformatting our unique, phenomenally successful approach to weight loss. As a result, the course is now instantly available to download to your phone, tablet, or computer. This also means that you can complete the entire course, without having to leave the comfort and security of your own home. Welcome to the โMy Weigh Less Master Classโ!
So can we change what we eat
Read on the pages of this website how the award-winning โMy Weigh Lessโ downloadable treatment is successfully delivering what is surely โutopiaโ to dieters; a medically endorsed, proven, weight-loss approach that provides permanent results. The programme is also based on over 15,000 1:1 clinical treatment hours. My Weigh Less can help you reach your weight-loss goals. Follow this link to sign up for our course now, and you can start your weight-loss journey.
My Weigh Less Deliversโฆ
โ Permanent Weight Loss โ
โ No Diet or Exercise Required โ
โ Medically Endorsed โ
โ 15,000 1:1 Clinical Hours Experience โ
โ Fully Downloadable โ
โ Featured in Global Media โ
โ Award-Winning Programme โ
Registered Stakeholder in NICE โ National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Marion Shirran, as a director of Oxford Therapeutics Limited, is proud to be a registered Stakeholder in NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Additionally, she is involved in the governmentโs All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity.
We were proud to be nominated the โMost Innovative Obesity Psychological Therapy Serviceโ in the UK Mental Health Awards 2022.
We also appeared on the This Morning TV show, with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
And, in 2010, we travelled to New York to be interviewed on the Good Morning America TV Show.
We are also co-authors of two, bestselling books, on the topic of non-surgical weight loss, published by Hay House.
Below is a selection of weight-loss tips that everyone can start using straight away. And, if you enroll in the My Weigh Less Course, you will learn many more of our helpful tips and techniques about how to achieve successful, permanent weight loss.
Tip No. 1 – Only Eat When You’re Hungry!
This has to be our number one, golden rule, when it comes to achieving successful weight loss. In our experience, most overweight people eat for many different reasons, other than physical hunger. But, if you allow your emotions to control your eating habits, then it is unlikely that you will be able to control your weight as a result. So, before you reach for anything to eat, stop and ask yourself first if you physically NEED to eat, or you just WANT to…
Tip No. 2 – Use a Smaller Plate!
You’ve probably heard this many times before, but it’s a fact that people who use larger plates tend to eat more food than those who eat from smaller plates. No doubt you know about the power of optical illusions. But are you aware of just how much more generous the same size portion of food appears, when presented on a smaller plate, instead of a larger one? Have a look at the image below. It’s known as the Delboeuf optical illusion. If you stick to our mantra, “always go for quality over quantity”, then you will definitely lose weight much more easily.
Tip No. 3 – Drink a Glass or Two of Water Before Your Meal!
Reduce your calorie intake by over 20%, with almost with no effort! Research results, published by Harvard Medical showed that people who drank two large glasses of water, just before eating, on average, consumed around 20% less food compared with when they didn’t drink anything before they ate. This is possibly as a result of the stretching and fullness sensation in the stomach. So can we change what we eat.
Tip No. 4 – Eat Slowly and Mindfully!
A growing number of studies have consistently found a correlation between speed of eating and weight, so it is officially accepted now that faster eaters are definitely more likely to become overweight. Studies have also shown that people are much more likely to eat more when their eating is mindless, as opposed to mindful. So, make meal times an occasion by sitting down at a table, with no distractions. Then eat slowly and savour every mouthful. You will naturally eat less food and also find it easier to lose weight as a result!
Tip No. 5 – Stay Away From Sugar and Highly Processed Foods!
It’s a fact that sugar and highly processed foods have addictive properties! So much so, that many people find that once they start eating these foods, they literally can’t stop. And, of course, if you’re making such poor food choices, this in turn will make it almost impossible for you to lose weight. So, our advice is to choose healthy, unprocessed foods and limit the amount of sugar you consume. As a result, you will have far more control over how much you eat and also how much weight you can lose.
Tip No. 6 – Eat Your Favourite Foods on the Plate First!
You may not be aware of how important this tip is, but the order in which you eat your food can actually have a big impact on how much you consume! It’s quite common for overweight people to “save the best til last” when eating. In other words they only eat their favourite food right at the end. It’s not so surprising then, that they also tend to eat everything on their plate, regardless of how uncomfortably full they feel. Because, of course, they don’t want to miss out on the “best bit”!
However, our advice is to eat your favourite things first. Not only will you enjoy it more, but it’s also much easier to stop when you’ve eaten just the right amount and leave the rest on the plate.
You can read a full breakdown of all the components included in the treatment package on the Course Details page. There is also an explanation of the treatment on the Does This Work? page. We look forward to working with you. Additionally, you can read reviews from medical and other professionals on the Medical Endorsement page.
View Short Animated Want and Need Video Below
Click on the link below to listen to our short audio introduction of the weight-loss course.
You can download the complete My Weigh Less course, and start your weight-loss journey today.
My Weigh Lessยฎ/myweighless.com and all associated intellectual property rights, are the property of Oxford Therapeutics Limited, a company registered in London.
You can read additional information about us and our weight-loss treatment on the Gastric Mind Band website.
So can we change what we eat
Although the weight-loss results and success stories shown on the site are typical, individual results will vary, and are not guaranteed. Weight-loss success depends on each individualโs level of motivation, commitment, food intake and metabolism. Read our full disclaimer in the Terms & Conditions.
Check out our new post – that asks the question, why are you overweight
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