Yell.com

Health and Fitness

School of Losing Weight

Posted by Weight Loss Guru in *Articles, Diet or nutrition, Nutrionists & Dieticians on November 7th, 2009

frog

Frog out of water

When I was at school, my biology teacher explained what happens when you put a frog in boiling water. I remember wondering why he was telling us this, but now, from a behavioural perspective, I can see the point! In the same way that you or I would leap out of a bath of boiling water, the frog will jump straight out of the water, and he won’t go near it again, because he’s learned how hot and uncomfortable it is. This is, of course, understandable, but it does pose a question: How do you get a frog to stay in boiling water, assuming you have a good reason for doing so? Well, you put the frog in water that is a comfortable temperature and then gradually heat it up. The frog gets used to the rise in temperature, and stays there even when the water is at boiling point. Unfortunately, the frog doesn’t realise how much danger he’s in because he’s got so used to it and so, rather sadly, dies.

Inch by inch

Just as I was bemused by this story when I was a child, you may be wondering why I’m telling you this. The truth is that my work with thousands of people across the years has shown me that there is a similar pattern in the way that people look after their health.

Unhealthy Habits

People collect a few unhealthy habits, none of which seems that bad in isolation, but which, over time, add up to something really painful. Things become worse, inch by inch and pound by pound. Each notch on the belt is bearable and each tiny increase in cholesterol isn’t so bad: it’s only when these things have been getting worse for a while that people reach a point when they take note of how bad they feel.

For example, someone may start by putting on a bit of weight, perhaps through comfort eating. Then their excess weight makes it harder for them to breathe; this is followed by high blood pressure; and they then end up with Type 2 diabetes. At each stage, it’s ‘one more thing to cope with’, ‘a bit of bad news’, or, simply, ‘bad luck’; however, because it happened gradually, rather like heating up the water one degree at a time, this person may be surprised to find themselves in boiling water!

If they had suddenly gone from fine to poor health overnight, they would have noticed the change; but because their health problems have built up over time, they don’t realize how far they are from enjoying perfect health. This is the sad reality of what inspires most people finally to change – ill health and pain.

Good News

But there is some good news. Even when you’re sitting in boiling water, many health problems can be reversed simply by changing your behaviour. This is the foundation of my approach to losing weight. What’s yours?

Tags: , , ,

Post by Weight Loss Guru

Would you like to see more posts by Weight Loss Guru?

Comments

5 Responses to “School of Losing Weight”

  • emtee

    10:55 am November 8, 2009

    That is all so true Pete. I was well aware of gaining 2st over the last year, but because it crept on a couple of pounds at a time it didn’t seem quite so bad. You look at the scales and think, 2lbs on, that’ll be easy enough to shift, but before you know it you haven’t done anything about it and 2lbs has become 2st. I got used to my bad habits of coming home and opening packetS of crisps and having a glass of wine, something I only used to do at the weekends. That plus my meal portions being almost bigger than the husbands and the fact that I COULD NOT leave anything on my plate AND eating the boy’s food off his plate (why are fish fingers so good anyway?!) and here we are.

    I figured out that if I carried on like I had been I would be another 2 stone heavier by next Christmas and heavier than the husband. SO NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

    So time to leap out of the boiling water and give myself a good shake dry! You know when you see a dog that’s soaking wet dry himself by shaking everything from his head all the way back to his tail, that’s what I’d like to do with my bad habits and negativity, shake it all off!

    Thank you Pete for all your encouragement. You help us keep going. And sorry for the ramble. You help us do that too, and it feels good!!

    emtee x

    Report this comment

  • BikerB

    8:25 pm November 8, 2009

    I’ve been a yo-yo dieter most of my life, so I guess I’ve been sitting in the water til it gets to boiling point at which stage I leap out only to be straight back in it…..until it heats up again!
    Since joining your program in April, I feel like I’ve finally lept out and I’ve stayed out!!!
    I’ve finally found a way of eating I’m comfortable with, and know I will be slim for the rest of my life.
    NO MORE BOILING WATER FOR ME!
    This program is great, so worth every effort.
    I owe you so much Pete. Thanks xxx

    Report this comment

  • PP

    5:15 pm November 9, 2009

    I saw my friends dad the other day out on a bike. He stopped for a chat and explained that the doc had told him that he would be in real trouble if he didn`t lose weight and now had diabetes and a whole host of other problems.. He really is in hot water and trying to jump out…
    I remember thinking when he had gone how sad it was because he had missed out on so much in life for spending most of it overweight. And he is only now sitting up and doing something about it because he wants to preserve his life..
    It has made me even more thankful for meeting you Pete and as I always say, with your programme you really do get what you wish for and you keep it for life.. A fitter, healthier and very energetic life!
    I can never thankyou enough
    PP xx

    Report this comment

  • Annie

    11:40 pm November 9, 2009

    Yes, that’s me too. I was doing so well, then got ill, couldn’t exercise, felt sorry for myself, comfort ate for Britain and suprise suprise – all that weight – how did it get there. What a great excuse being ill was at the time, now of course I realise that’s all it was – a pathetic excuse. I know I could have maintained a much healthier diet if I’d really put my mind to it while recovering and when the next bout of illnes comes along (as I’m sure it will cold/flu etc) I’ve got a game plan already. Although if I keep up my healthy eating and keep up the exercise maybe I won’t sucumb to so much illness and aches and pains???

    Report this comment

  • Blossom

    9:32 pm November 10, 2009

    I have fought with my weight from being about 11 and have slimmed downcountless times only to put it back on, at first just a couple of pounds then a couple of stones or even more,
    This time it is different because I haven’t felt like I am on a diet, I have just changed a few thing in my life one of the main things is I feel so relaxed and because of this I’m not eating as much and through the podcasts and the online have learnt what foods are healthier to eat,
    For the first time in my life I have eaten porridge for breakfast which is great because I have problems with wheat and always felt ill after having a ” healthy ” breakfast.
    Thank you Pete

    Report this comment