IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD (Part 2 of 3)

Your Mindset and Your Scale

One of Treitler's aha moments came after the study subjects took a 120-item multiple-choice questionnaire that assesses thinking styles, called the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI). Simply put, the theory behind it goes like this: We all naturally tend to process information, solve problems, and relate to others in a particular way, and such inclinations roughly correspond to four different quadrants of the brain—two on the right, two on the left. These preferences are like mental defaults your brain automatically resorts to when evaluating the world unless otherwise prompted, and most people employ some combination of quadrants.

"A" quadrant (upper left): People who favor this area are analytical, mathematical, logical problem solvers. Drawn to statistics and the workings of machinery, they can over analyze a situation so much, they have trouble taking action.
"B" quadrant (lower left): These people are controlled, methodical, disciplined, sticklers for structure and routine. Punctual and neat, they always have a plan, timetable, and calendar with appointments penciled in.
"C" quadrant (lower right): Lower-right thinkers are emotional, spiritual, and focused on people and human connection.
"D" quadrant (upper right): "D" types are strongly visual and easily bored, attracted to new ideas, fun, and risk taking.

And the Successful Dieters?
"We found that those with the most dramatic losses scored noticeably higher in favoring 'B,' the lower left," says Treitler. This makes sense to her, having observed many people struggling with weight. Someone inclined toward plans and routines, who sees life through methodical eyes, would be the most comfortable with the mundane details of calorie counting and portion control; she would also be more able to coolly observe herself and catalog obstacles and failings—without succumbing to an emotion like self-hatred.

A Leap of Imagination
Breakthrough number two occurred during another study with the NWCR volunteers. When Treitler listened to subjects' stories, something stood out: They'd all gone through an inner transformation almost like those celebrated in traditional rites of passage. Each had found a coach, mentor, or guide for the journey, had pulled back and separated somewhat from his or her old environment, and then was "reborn" into a different way of life. At this point, the newly thin person became a leader rather than a follower, a change that opened the door to further goals and achievements, often in fields completely unrelated to weight loss. (One subject, for example, asked a chef at the university where he worked to develop an aggressive diet for him, dropped nearly half his body weight, then took a leave from his job to help start a law school in Africa, where he reemerged as a passionate long-distance walker and bird-watcher.)

"All the subjects had incorporated some meditative element into their lives," Treitler says. "It might have been walking or yoga, but it was self time, a white space where they could disengage from the old, obsessive behavior." This transformation of identity appears crucial in keeping weight off. Without a new self who's clearly different from the old, overweight one, it's too easy to revert to former unhealthy habits.

Can you reprogram your brain?

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD (Part 1 of 3)

By Carol Mithers

Unlock the secrets to thinking like a successful dieter How are you at sticking to a diet? Getting to the gym? Keeping doctors' appointments? A potentially groundbreaking study says that how well you take care of yourself depends on which corner of your brain tends to be more active. The good news: You can retrain your mind.

In the battle against fat, the heroes achieve what most of us only long for—lasting weight loss. They're so unusual, they've become the subjects of ongoing research by scientists trying to finger just what it is that makes them stand out from the rest of dieting humanity. The project is called the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) and was created 12 years ago by researchers at Brown University and the University of Colorado in the face of the well-known and defeating statistic: Ninety-five percent of dieters gain their weight back. Registrants—some 4,500—must have dropped at least 30 pounds and kept them off for a year or more, though the average member has lost twice that much and maintained it for about five years.

In one of the latest studies, Inga Treitler, PhD, a cultural anthropologist, and a fellow researcher intensely interviewed and observed 10 of the registrants, focusing not on what they ate or did for exercise but on how they lived—the books they read, the photos they kept, their pets, careers, friends, and hobbies—before and after the weight loss. The question, again, was basic: What had enabled them to triumph where so many others falter?

The Secret to You...a Gift from the Secret Scrolls

Lazy days are over...

Yes! After 'resting' at home for almost 5 months, finally I would be having a JOB (Just Over Broke). Ha ha..whatever it is, now is the time to work hard.

Sunday Workshop

You can't imagine the 'desires' of our group to succeed further. Being a Sunday (that's the only rest day for most of us), and yet five of us 'newbies' got together to learn the technical side of the business. Shikin and Taufiq were very patient in delivering their knowledge to us. We learnt a lot of new things to be posted in our blogs, we hope to have another session soon.

Work for passion

You would be surprise what passion can do for your life. When you can turn your passion into a profession and you will never have to ‘work’ again.
Identify the thing that you would do even if you would never get paid for it, that's your passion! When passion steps in - procrastinations, laziness, excuses and all the other negative traits walk out the door.

Life goes on.....

It has been almost 5 months since I retired myself from the traditional business. Life's been a trying one...yes, trying to adjust to new challenges. My internet knowledge is getting better and I've earned some income from it! Still attending the workshop so that I can improve further.
On the lighter side, I would love to share my experiences, especially my recipes with anybody of the same interest. I'll post it on my next blog..

My interest and passion...

I have been in the food business, helping my husband, for more than 10 years (catering in particular). But end of last year, we decided that we wanted to take a break (coz we found an easier way to make a living!).

I have always love to cook, bake and entertain...so during our 'boom' time in the business, I can say I enjoyed it most of the time. Since doing food business took so much of our time, especially during weekends, I miss those times spent at home, especially with my children.

After much considerations, we finally took the giant steps to 'rest' our business and focus on doing something more profitable but less hardwork.

Oh boy, am I glad that we did! I get to spend most of my time doing things that I love...cooking for my family, baking cake and cookies, shopping etc...