My favorite school, Jao Island
6 July 2012.
Hi everybody! Many people have asked me for help on how to improve specific and general areas of their life. Health and how to lose weight are the common issues.
It’s easy to give good strategies; however after our session finishes, they would go back to their old lifestyle and motivation quickly fades. This is where our Smart Phones can really come into good use.
How to Lose Weight by using your Mobile Phone:
Let’s do something very simple and effective. Let’s use our background picture on the mobile phone to help us implement positive changes in our life.
Some people change their wallpapers on a regular basis. I personally have mine, a photograph when I was volunteering in the Philippines (Jao Island). Every time I see it, I’m reminded to be grateful for what I have, and to work harder (so I can earn more and send those guys some new books to start their library). However, sometimes I change my background picture. If I have a new tough habit to eliminate or start, I may simply use my phone’s background picture as a way to support that change. Sometimes, I even take a photograph of my new mind map or goals.
Recently, I had a client wrote a positive message on a piece of paper. It was something like, “I love eating healthy food and drinking lots of water“. Then she took a photograph of it, and set it as his phone’s wallpaper. Two weeks later, he said he had eaten healthier food and drank more water every single day!
My motivational mobile background
Please note as I’m a Licensed NLP Practitioner. I urge you not to write something like “stop eating so much” or “eat less fatty food” as our minds often misinterpret it as “eat so much” or “eat fatty food.” Another mistake can be “I’m quitting smoking” as this means I am smoking, and some time in the future, “I will try to quit.” We really need to keep messages positive. Or if negative, look for it’s antonym. “I love the feeling of breathing fresh air in my lungs, I feel so good now I am healthy.”
Once this message is set as our phone’s background, we will be reminded of it frequently. Every time we look at it, the thought will go deeper and deeper into our mind. After 21 days (see my “21 Day Theory” blog) the message has become a solid habit. We can then change the background to implement a new message (i.e. I am confident) or habit (i.e. drink 2L of water everyday). Repeat the process of installing new positive strategies in our lives.
Following this simple technique with your phone is 100% free and easy. However, you can donate some money to a homeless charity if you like.
Not only a strategy for health but, for installing many new life changing habits easily.
Losing weight is a struggle for me. I am on a diet but sometimes ( actually most of the time ) I forgot that i’m on a diet! I eat what I want, but every time I look on the mirror that’s the time I remember, oh! I need to lose weight. And then, the same cycle again. Changing your cellphone’s wallpaper is a brilliant idea, it’s interesting! I will surely do this, I need to be reminded always. Thanks Adrian!
Thanks Amanda! Hearing this from you, is very much appreciated. Most of the time, we need to be reminded of our goals due to a lot of diversion factors out there. Start now, and I’m sure this time will be a lot different. Have a great journey mate!
Good idea! I’m really struggling on how to lose weight. Today I’m on diet and then tomorrow I will eat all foods i want (and says Ops i forgot! I’m on diet!) ohh no!. Maybe I need to change the wallpaper of my phone to remind me always on my diet. This will help. Thanks Adrian.