I Can’t Think! Such is the Title of Newsweek’s recent health article by Sharon Begley. Decision Science, as it is called, has only recently begun to make sense of research on how the brain processes information, but scientific evidence is suggesting we are living in an age of info-paralysis that is very difficult to prevent. Scientists repeatedly show that increased information leads to objectively poorer choices, and often times down-right bad choices.
In our health information overload society where we’re inundated with “do this – don’t do that, eat this – not that” kind of logic, it seems we are doomed for failure when it comes to healthy living and weight loss attempts.

Today is the 29th day of a 6-week journey on the path to feeling good, looking good, and performing great at any age. We begin the 4th week of our trip by exploring today’s mind connection-focusing on what really matters in weight loss.
Stop The Busy Work
Coach of the year in Canada, Michael Bungay Stainier, says it best in his book Do More Great Work, when he says, “You’re up to your eyeballs answering e-mail, returning phone calls, attending meetings, scrambling to get that project done. But when did being busy become a measure of our success?” We know the real work of getting things accomplished only comes when we are doing the real work that matters most.
In you desire to lose weight you may have found it easier to keep reading the vast amount of information, than to process what appears to be most important. If this is you, there’s still time to get yourself going. Before reading step 4 in this article, you may wish to review steps 1 – 3.

Step One: Refer online to Road to Weight Loss Part 1. Post 5 mind connections and read daily for seven days.
Step Two:Refer online to Road to Weight Loss Part 2. Use movement for inspiration and increase activity daily for 7 days. Continue posting and reading mind connections daily. Eat less.
Step Three:Refer online to Road to Weight Loss Part 3. Take the motivational test and see if a little help from a local trainer or coach is in order. Continue posting and reading the mind connections daily. Exercise daily and begin implementing the four types of exercise discussed in the last issue: Cardiovascular, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility exercises. Eat less. Focus on what really matters.

Don’t get hung up on all the hype. Here’s what you need to know:
1. You will lose weight if you eat three-quarters to one-half of what you normally eat during most meals of the day.
2. You will increase your success rate significantly if you exercise most days of the week.
3. You will increase your success rate of losing weight and keeping it off if you stay aware by weighing yourself regularly.
4. You will lose weight if you lighten up and enjoy life in the moment.
5. You will lose weight and keep it off if you forgive yourself for not being perfect.

Think of the 6 weeks as a beginning. As you gain willpower from practicing the basics, you’ll increase your confidence I. Q. In turn you’ll naturally want more specifics, but most importantly you’ll be ready to receive more detailed information such as, various cardiovascular exercises for increased weight loss, best foods for stabilizing blood sugar for enhanced weight loss, and best strength training principles for weight maintenance. Best of all-you won’t feel overwhelmed!

For now, continue to eat less and follow these no frills guidelines. Know that simple is good and do not get distracted by thinking elaborate weight loss plans are more effective. If that was true, we’d all be lean. I am confident you will do well.

Ø Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
Ø Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.
Ø Keep saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars low.Until next week…. Best to you. We’ll meet back here next week.