STORIES WE HEAR AND TELL CAN BE SUCH POWERFUL TOOLS, WOULD YOU AGREE? 

The same goes for the stories we tell ourselves, in our heads – whether you realize it or not. Limiting beliefs reflect some of our core beliefs about ourselves and the world around us – they control our bodies and how we react to things that happen to us. We can have some great empowering stories, like ‘I can ask for help ‘, ‘I deserve being healthy’ or stories that have a negative impact and put us down – ‘I’m not good enough’, ‘I can’t find time to cook healthy’.

For example, one of my stories was that ‘I don’t do enough’. Or that ‘I can’t eat carbs as they’re evil and I’ll most definitely out on weight’. But, when I flip them around and ask myself for evidence to support those ‘apparently true’ beliefs, there isn’t much. On the opposite, I find some truths and proof that would support a different (and healthier) belief. Some answers and evidence to reveal that my beliefs aren’t true would be: 

–       ‘I do enough and feel accomplished, look where I am now comparing to a few years ago or even last year? I look after my kids, study, work, cook healthy food regularly, look after myself. This seems like a lot to me. Therefore, ‘I do enough. ‘

–       ‘Carbs aren’t bad, I know better as a health coach and a future nutritionist. I must look at balancing my food intake and make sure I have variety. I’m the only one that makes my food choices and I must take responsibility for them. Blaming the food and food fear aren’t going to help me in any way. Therefore, ‘Carbs aren’t bad and I eat them if I choose to’. 

STORIES AROUND HEALTH AND WELLNESS

When it comes to health and nutrition, we often tell ourselves stories about our weight, habits or looks. It’s human to create those stories and they can start very early on (remind yourself your first ‘diet’ or words you used to describe food as a teenager? Where has it come from? What influcanced it?) 

‘I can’t eat just 1 cookie, I’m like a wild animal around carbs’

‘When I lose weight, I will be so much happier’

‘I just can’t get up in the morning and exercise’

‘I don’t deserve to feel healthy’

‘I can’t lose weight, it’s my genes’

Whenever you hear some of these stories, stop and notice what is your belief around wellness and food? Does it sound it helpful (‘I love my body’, ‘I eat healthy because I deserve it’) or harmful (‘I’m overweight and I always will be’, ‘I can’t have dessert, because it will go in my tights’)?

HOW TO TACKLE YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS? 

There is a lot that can be done to address the stories we tell ourselves. An area of study and coaching that often brings up limiting beliefs is called Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). What we do is basically starting to change our belief system by identifying the limiting stories we seem to hold on to and flipping them around or creating new ones (I’m completing the course on this next year, very exciting to add this to my repertoire of coaching!). This topic is huge and we are just scratching the surface here! 

Some of the things you can do to start to rewrite those stories are: 

1. Identify them: try being a detective and be aware of whenever you hear a story that isn’t supporting you. What can help is to remind yourself throughout the day/ week to ‘notice’ your thoughts. 
2. Trace back your thoughts: when a thought occurs and makes you upset or sad, where did it come from? When does it happen? Is there a pattern? What is the story you tell yourself? Write it down in a notebook or as a note in your phone. Writing them down and continue noticing them will start to make the beliefs less powerful (as you’re becoming aware they’re there and can be changed!).
3. Ask for evidence: is the belief you’re noticing actually true? Can you find evidence to support that? 
4. Can you formulate a new belief that would be opposite to the old one and that would support your wellbeing instead?

PRACTICE REWRITING YOUR STORIES

As you probably have guessed, things just don’t happen when you read about them or listen to other people’s transformations. You must actually do the work and consciously address the beliefs in your head and practice to change them. Notice them, try to analyze them, challenge them by asking for evidence. Practice and do the work! Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes. 

Becoming aware of our own stories helps you to be more present to react to things the way you want to instead of going just with your instinct and blindly trusting that belief. So, how could you rewrite your stories and make them more supportive?