SUCCESS KEYS! KEYS FOR SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT REDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE  . . ·         Always set realistic, reasonable goals.  And always respect your health first.  Never try to reduce so rapidly you endanger your health.  One to two pounds a week is reasonable and safe for most people.  It’s better to reduce slowly and safely and keep it off permanently than to reduce quickly and put it back on again.   . ·         Stop using the word “LOSE” -- unless you want to find it again.  Our subconscious mind thinks “losing” is a bad thing, such as when you lose a $20 bill, a job, or something else of value.  Our brain tries to help us find what we “lost”.  Do you really want to find that weight again?   . ·         DO use words like:  REDUCE, REMOVE, DISCARD, GET RID OF.  Isn’t that what you really want to do?  Don’t you want to reduce the pounds?  Remove the fat?  Discard the extra inches?  Get rid of the tired feeling you have?  . ·         Use “Focus” words.  Choose a word that represents what you want to accomplish and type or print it on several pieces of small paper and then post these little pieces of paper where you’ll see it throughout your day -- bathroom mirror, on the ceiling above your bed, refrigerator, cabinet where you store your plates / bowls, television, computer, car radio, inside of doors in your house, appointment book, etc.  Using bright color paper is most effective! . ·         Listen to enhancement CDs or tapes as often as you can (never while driving)  at night -- while you’re sleeping is the best time.  And put the CD on repeat so it plays all night long.  . 1 ·         Take a few moments each day and think about your goal.  . ·         Post your 2 2/3 oz / 5 1/3 oz chart somewhere in your kitchen where you can see the small amount you need to reduce by to achieve your goal of your ideal body weight and the time it should take to achieve your goal.  . ·         Stop weighing!  Especially those who weigh every day or even every week.  When you see the same number over and over and over, or just a small difference, isn’t it discouraging?  It would be better to measure your progress by how your clothes begin to fit looser, especially around the waist, how you begin to notice you’re making changes in your eating and movement (exercise) habits, how other people begin to notice and compliment you.  If you really have to weigh, weigh no more often than once a month -- every three to six months is even better.  Then you’ll see real progress.    . ·         Change your goal slightly by a pound or two -- up or down.  If you’ve been trying to get to 150 and may have gotten there, but always gained the extra weight back, try a new goal -- 148 or 151.  A goal you haven’t tried before, therefore one you haven’t failed at.  . ·         Visualize or Imagine what you want!  Don’t focus on being overweight, or why you’re overweight -- Focus on being healthier and getting the ideal body weight and image you want!  . ·         Visualize or Imagine resetting your “weight set point“.  See a thermostat you can control.  See yourself increasing your metabolism so you burn calories faster - always at a slow healthy rate.  . ·         Don’t think about fat, being overweight, diets, “losing” weight, how hard it’s been in the past.  Instead, think about what you want -- a trimmer, slimmer, healthier body, more energy, less stress, how easy it is to change your bad habits to healthy habits by enlisting the help of your SubConscious.  . ·         Don’t ask “Why am I fat?”  How can I get rid of this fat?”  Ask yourself positive questions:  “What can I do today to burn a few more calories?”  “What could I eat that will be healthier and help achieve my goals?”  . ·         Start a reward bank -- Decide what the reward goal is -- new clothes, trip to Hawaii, a day at the spa.  Then decide on an amount of money for the reward bank you’re going to add or subtract .  It could be 25 cents or up to $10 whatever your budget allows.  On days you did good, put that amount in.  On days you feel like you didn’t do so good, take that amount out.  (If you get below zero, you have to put in an IOU)  Soon, you’ll be adding more days than taking out.  . ·         Notice and appreciate even small changes. If you notice you’re drinking more water, or you’re eating better one meal a day and still working on improving the others, even if it‘s getting to bring your belt in another notch.  Every little (good) change is a victory!  Notice you’re beginning to have more energy and less stress -- stress is one of the biggest contributors to over eating.  And having extra pounds is one of the biggest drains on our energy.  . ·         Notice other people who are working on reducing their weight or even other self improvement projects and compliment them on it.  When you get compliments, thank the person and be proud!  But if they ask how you’re “losing” weight, or even compliment you on “losing” weight, be sure to explain to them you’re not “losing” anything, but you are reducing, removing, discarding, getting rid of, etc. the extra weight, but you don’t want to “lose” it because you don’t intend to get it back - you intend to keep your weight at the level you want it to be.  . ·         It’s always best to check with your physician and see how much per week would be safe and reasonable for you.  Be sure and tell your physician about your plans to use weight reduction sessions with Hypnosis Resources Center.  They may have other patients who could benefit as well!  And as you know, I really, really like referrals! . . Accept the fact it can, and should, be easy, HEALTHY, and even fun using private sessions at Action Hypnosis Resources Center! Serving Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake, Flower Mound, Irving, Lewisville, Denton, Addison, Frisco, Mckinney, Plano, Allen, and the surrounding areas and beyond! . Coach William C. Smith, Board Certified Hypnotist / Instructor 214-754-0021 (AFTER 10 AM and before 10 PM any day of the week . So what are you waiting for?