If You Need To Lose Weight, Don’t Think About Weight Loss (Episode 103)
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Hello and welcome to the Internet’s hottest podcast devoted to low-carb fitness, motivation and so much more–“The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show With Jimmy Moore!”
Say, have you ever wondered, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” Well today’s episode may not answer that question, but be prepared as Swami Jimmy Moore, the Guru of Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb unleashes this mind-blowing bit of Zen wisdom: To lose weight, DON’T think about weight loss!
Say What?? Yeppers, it’s all true! Just listen in and you will hear this ancient weight loss secret from the Far East (er, actually the South, as in South Carolina where Jimmy lives!). It’s an instant classic that you won’t want to miss.
BUT WAIT…There’s Moore! You can also hear details of ANOTHER giveaway of Jimmy’s awesome sugar-free, low-carb dark chocolate raspberry “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Bar!” Just leave a comment for Episode 103 to become eligible to win. 
LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE 103
- Jimmy Moore’s new “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Bar” is available from CarbSmart, Netrition, and Amazon (coming soon to the ChocoPerfection web site)
- Stay in the low-carb loop with Jimmy Moore’s “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb” blog
- Contact Jimmy Moore anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net
Did you miss anything Jimmy said? Don’t worry, there’s a full transcript waiting for you–just click the following link!
Transcript of Episode 103:
Coming up…if you need to lose weight, then don’t think about weight loss.
Hey everyone and thanks for coming back for Episode 103 of “The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore.” We’re back in the saddle rockin’ and rollin’ again with helpful information, encouraging advice, and inspirational stories to help you survive and thrive in your low-carb lifestyle. It is my honor and privilege to have this platform to share with you about the amazing changes that happen when you become committed to a permanent and healthy lifestyle change like low-carb living. And today I have a message that everyone who is seeking lifelong weight loss success needs to hear. Stay tuned!
First I wanted to share with you the winner of the “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Bar” giveaway from last week’s episode who won three of my brand new sugar-free, low-carb raspberry dark chocolate bars. Everyone who left a comment in the show notes section at TheLivinLowCarbShow.com for Episode 102 were eligible to win and boy did you guys ever leave some awesome remarks. I encourage you to go through and read the stories that people shared about that podcast because they were truly remarkable. One of those comments came from Esther and she is the BIG WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS Esther and I look forward to hearing from you via e-mail to get the address where you would like me to send you your chocolate bars. You know what? That was so much fun last week that I’ve decided to do it again for today’s Episode 103. Go to TheLivinLowCarbShow.com and leave a comment for this show in the show notes section and you will become eligible to win a three-pack of my new “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Bar” just like Esther did! I’ll announce the winner on next Monday’s show. In the meantime, if you’d like to get your hands on these low-carb chocolate bars, they are available from CarbSmart.com, Netrition.com, and Amazon.com. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to try them. GOOD LUCK in the contest!
Today I have a message that’s gonna be a little deep, but it could very well get you over the hump in your struggle to lose weight once and for all. Stick around for the next few moments because this is gonna be a good one! We all know the secret to lasting weight management is implementing a permanent and healthy lifestyle change, right? For us, that’s livin’ la vida low-carb, baby! But saying it is one thing and doing it is another concept altogether. Did you know that RIGHT NOW you have all the power and ability within that body of yours to be successful at WHATEVER you want to achieve? You REALLY do! All you have to do is want it so badly that you can taste it and invariably it will happen for you. That was my mindset when I lost 180 pounds in 2004 and it has served me well over these past few years maintaining that weight loss. Wanna know a secret, though? Shhhhh. If you want to lose weight, then here’s how–DON’T focus on LOSING WEIGHT! HUH?! Say what?! Have you gone absolutely nuts on us, Jimmy? Well, maybe. But stick with me on this point because it’s gonna blow your mind. When you make weight loss the focal point of all that you are doing while on low-carb, guess what happens when you no longer need to lose weight? That’s right, you keep wanting to LOSE WEIGHT even when you don’t need to any longer. This can lead to frustration, a feeling a failure, and ultimately, gaining back the weight in absolute disgust because you could not accomplish your goal of weight loss. I found myself struggling with this point at the end of 2004 when the weight loss ended. While you’re pursuing weight loss, you’ve got the downward movement of the scale and looser clothes to motivate you to continue on. But what do you have to pursue when the weight loss phase is finished? How do you keep the same intensity and drive when you starting maintaining?
Nevermind the fact that you may have lost 50, 100, or even 200 pounds! The fact that your mindset while you were losing it was almost exclusively on weight loss the entire time is what consciously drove you during the entire process. This is why I believe people who go on a “diet” invariably fall flat on their face and eventually gain back any weight they have lost because it’s all about getting from Point A to Point B rather than having an open-ended timeline for shedding pounds and getting healthy with no boundaries whatsoever. Free yourself from ever being in “weight loss” mode again and watch how your perspective will change. In a similar vein, think about this: The reason you got to be overweight or obese in the first place was because you thought like a fat person. Have you heard the old saying, “Whatever you think, you are?” Well, it’s 100% true, no doubt about it! Even if you aren’t actively thinking to yourself, “Yep, I’m gonna think and act like a fat person,” you very well may be doing it automatically from all those years of indoctrinating yourself to it. To remedy this, what should you do? Well, DUH, this one doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out! The answer is to meditate and dwell on being that healthy and fit person you’ve always wanted to be. If you begin thinking this way, then something miraculous happens in your mind. You REALLY start to believe it and you BECOME it. Even more freaky is the fact that as you lose weight, you will start to notice OTHER people calling you “skinny,” “thin,” or “good-looking.” Just this past weekend at church, a guy came up to me all these years after I lost my weight and said, “Hey Skinny!” WOW, THANK YOU! Not five minutes later, a woman said to me, “Are you still losing weight, Jimmy?” HA! How about that? See, others will notice and convince you that you are on the right track even if you still feel like you are “fat.” We are our own worst enemy when it comes to shedding the pounds and getting healthy. Get your thoughts in order right away and then watch everything fall into place for you in ways you can’t even imagine. IT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN if you exude the confidence necessary to produce results.
Stop making excuses for why you can’t lose weight because ANYONE can do it. Your metabolism isn’t slower, you don’t have the “fat” gene from your family, you can’t blame your low-carb diet for not working when you haven’t given it a chance to work–those are all destructive negative fat thoughts that have no business being in the mind of a once and future weight loss success story! Remember, whatever you believe is true, whether it actually is or not, will become the reality for you. Everyone says perception is reality and it is, especially for people who have become so consumed by their quest for weight loss that they forget to tell themselves they are changing. If you think you CAN’T lose weight, then you are right. If you are confident that obesity will become a thing of the past for you, then you are also right. If losing 30 pounds in a period of 30 weeks is what you strongly desire for your life, then guess what will happen? YOU WILL DO IT! Believe it, receive it, and then achieve it!While we may think food is what caused us to get fat in the first place (specifically gobs of sugar, white flour, starchy foods, carby whole grains, and processed foods), the truth of the matter is YOU are what caused the weight to pour on by refusing to acknowledge your personal responsibility in it to begin with. We like to loathe in our own self-pity and mask our pain with the preferred drug of millions of people worldwide–FOOD, FOOD, AND MORE FOOD! Why do we do this to ourselves, hmmmm? If you throw in the towel every time the water gets a little hot in your life, then you will never progress forward with ANYTHING you wanted to do in your limited time on Earth. Your hopes, your dreams, and future plans–POOF! Instantly vanquished, suddenly disappear, dissipating like a foggy mist on a cool morning when the sunshine starts bearing down. If you fret over needing to weigh 150 pounds when 175 feels good for you, then don’t be surprised when your weight goes up above 200 again in the not-too-distant future. The stress we put on ourselves to achieve an imaginary weight loss goal that may not be reasonably attainable is ridiculous. That’s why I am not a bit concerned about my weight hovering around 240 right now while I’m building muscles for upper-body strength with resistance training although I have a goal lower than that I’d love to meet. You know, it’ll happen when it happens and I’m not concerned about my current weight since the bulk of my weight loss has already been accomplished years ago. I’m not dwelling on my weight loss goal because I feel healthy and plan on staying healthy for the rest of my long and prosperous lifespan thanks to livin’ la vida low-carb!Worrying about my weight will merely put the focus back on the weight loss rather than on the change that has happened within me. Who cares what anyone else thinks about YOUR weight and health because quite frankly it is NONE of their business. If you feel comfortable at the weight you are at, then GOOD FOR YOU! Don’t let ANYONE discourage you or guilt trip you into thinking you must weigh a certain amount. You have to do what’s right for YOU!
Yes, I know this was a deep message today, but it is one that needed to be said. Eat like you are already a thin person and simply try to make healthy choices for yourself. Forget about the weight loss and zero in on all those nutrient-dense low-carb foods that will allow you to eat deliciously and better than you have in your entire life. It really is the best “diet” you will ever go on hands down! Do you know what will happen next when you do this? You’ll reach your weight loss goals faster than you ever thought possible, feel happier and healthier than EVER before, and see life through the eyes of someone who KNOWS he can be anything he sets his mind to without limitations. You deserve that in your life and should never compromise or just settle for second best. Only the best will do. YOU CAN DO IT!
We’re out of time for Episode 103 of “The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore” but I appreciate you listening today. Share your feedback about today’s podcast and lemme know what you think. Remember, you’ll become eligible to win some of my new low-carb chocolate bars, so don’t be shy. We’ll see you back here again on Thursday, so until next time, keep on livin’ la vida low-carb!
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From over 400 pounds to 230, Jimmy Moore is 
Here’s an experience I’ve had with “psychology” and low carb living. I used to take the supplement Phase One that supposedly blocked carbs when I was going to eat carbs. I don’t know if it really worked, but what it did do was “trick” my mind into thinking I hadn’t really cheated. I went on with my low carb eating afterwards. Regardless of the usefulness of this product, it showed me I didn’t really need a carb blocking supplement, but I needed a change of mindset as the secret to long term success. We fail because we are always “off the diet” or “on the diet” or “good” or “bad” instead of adopting this lifestyle permanently because this is just the way we choose to eat because it just is healthier!
Well stated and thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the message of persistence.
The important thing is to never give up in getting healthy and reaching our goals!
It’s so easy in our culture today to get obsessed with losing weight that we often forget about the enormous health benefits of low carb.
I can remember a short time ago, how tired and awful I used to feel.
This episode helped me realize that stable blood sugar and cravings are important in determining my carb level, and not just what the scale is doing.
I was worried that I wasn’t losing enough weight, but feeling good is probably actually a more effective motivator for me.
For me, this lifestyle includes getting up every morning and making a decision to commit for that day.
Every meal and snack is another opportunity to take a step on the path of health.
This tip on not thinking about weight loss too much was so helpful, I think I’m just going to have to listen to it again.
Another helpful tip I wanted to mention was that we don’t all have to decide on a specific weight goal number ahead of time if we don’t feel that’s right for us.
A lot of us may not know what our “ideal” weight would be, and no chart out there can necessarily tell us.
It might be better to just do the low carb lifestyle for health and to feel good, and let our bodies take us to the weight that feels best for us.
Of course, having a ballpark range can help, but we never want to have a certain weight number become a stumbling block on our healthy path.
Thanks!
This makes so much sense. When I quit smoking, my motivation was how I felt - more energy, less coughing, better breathing. I reveled in those feelings. I guess you need to think about why you are losing weight - what is it you want to accomplish, and focus on that. I want to have more energy to do the things I love to do; my belove quilting, candlemaking, and soapmaking. I look to those things now to give me the “kick” that sugar used to give me. I have already accomplished the “feeling good” part of the lowcarb lifestyle - the freedom from the obsession of sugar and refined junk. So I’m there. The weight loss is merely an added benefit. When the weight is off, I will take joy in being able to buy nice looking clothes, and in being able to run faster or longer distances. I really appreciated this show because weight loss is really about how you think rather than how you eat.
Thank you, Jimmy
Thanks again, Jimmy, for a very positive, motivating talk! You are so right! Think positive and live healthy! That’s my motto from now on. I do feel and look great now, having lost 71 pounds. So what that it took me a year and a half! My half hour of “walking in place” with Leslie Sansone has helped me so much, too. I no longer have any arthritis and who would believe I’m 68 years young! Those last few pounds I’d like to lose will happen without obsessing over them.
Tara, it’s good to be reminded that eating healthy is first and foremost, so you’ll hear me hit that message time and time again. Happy it helped you today!
And you are right–how do we know what our “ideal” weight should be? It’s NOT the BMI! UGH!
Amadeus, great analogy with smoking! You’ve made the change in your mind that usually takes others much longer to figure out. WOO HOO! Keep at it!
CONGRATULATIONS on your success, Jane (you skinny thing you!). If you go another year and a half and lose half of what you lost the past year and a half then you’ll be a triple-digit weight loss success at the age of 70! WOW! Have I told you how proud I am of you?
THANKS for all the excellent comments!
I am definitely going to listen to this one more than once!
When I was “obese”, I did not experience any known health issues. At checkups, the docs, would say..all is well….but you could lose some weight.
I know that I am indeed “healthier” for having lost 73 pounds, but it is not something specifically measurable. My BP was always good. My cholesterol and sugar levels were not out of whack.
It’s my Mental Health that needs improvement.
This podcast I think will help me in making improvements in the way I think!
Thanks Jimmy!
Ab
Really enjoyed that show. When you don’t think and fret about it, the weight will come off. Thanks!
I have definitely noticed that when I have “dieted” and met my goal it was that much easier to cheat and let the lbs creep back. With LC, I am actually past my goal even on maintainance and I don’t feel like I need to obsess about the scale because I know I am eating right.
Good show Jimmy. I’m convinced that eating low carb is a life time way of living, so I’m concentrating on low good I feel! The weight loss is just a side effect!
Thanks for your work!
Gail
Hey Ab, most people don’t even realize the tremendous mental strain that obese people go through as they are losing weight because their mind still thinks “fat.” It’s a difficult transition even YEARS later (I know!), but it does happen slowly but surely.
You got it, casty! Weight loss happens when you stop obsessing over it. Kinda like what happened when I stopped TRYING to find a wife and gave up looking for her. One year later, I was engaged to Christine–and now we’re in our 13th year of wedded bliss! Things work out when you don’t think about them too much sometimes.
Eating right is the best feeling in the world, isn’t it Jenny?! That’s what I love about livin’ la vida low-carb is that I KNOW I’m eating healthy and nothing else really matters.
Gail, more people need to realize weight loss is a side effect of living healthy. It’s a message that needs to be understood more often to deal with this obesity crisis.
Another great podcast, Jimmy! Thank you for the work you put into the shows! This topic was timed especially well for me, as I’m beginning low-carb again this year. Although it’s worked well for me in the past, I’ve always seen it as a weight-loss plan rather than a get healthy plan. I think finally this year, after a lot more research, including Gary Taubes’ “Good Calories Bad Calories”, I’m convinced that low-carb is the right way to eat permanently. Finally, I can stop thinking about losing weight and just let it happen!
Hey Scott, I’m glad this episode was encouraging for you. YOU’RE GONNA DO GREAT in 2008!
hmmmmmmmmm well Jimmy I think you just gave me the kick in the butt I needed and boy did I need a BIG one.
I have been trying to get back to where I was before and it’s been a big hill battle with my mind and body. The mind is getting there but the body just doesn’t want to move……see I can blame it on our cold Cdn winters since you didn’t mention THAT one or the fact that our gym has been really busy and the best time to workout is at 8pm at night and who wants to do that when I have to be at work by 630? Well guess what? I used to do it and I used to do it alot so I have no idea why I can’t do it now……….I know I am not as happy or healthy as I used to be because I can feel it. I also know that since I did give myself permission over Christmas that I shouldn’t have…but i did and I backed myself in a corner………..think it’s time to come out now!!LOL!!
Those jeans I want to get into are collecting dust but maybe this is the year for alot of us.
Thanks again………….
Wanda
Jimmy,
I think this is the real solution to a permanent lifestyle change. I think I obsessed about my weight loss for about 3 months (4 years ago), but since then every time I have been tempted to eat some sugary, high carb junk, I just naturally think about 1) it’s effect on my insulin levels and shifting back to a glucose metabolism and 2) how bad I’m going to feel when that happens.
It really doesn’t matter how wonderful those fried cheesecake bites look, they just aren’t worth the price my health and wellbeing will pay for them.
Honestly, sometimes I see some gourmet goodie and am tempted, but it is so easy to talk myself out of them now.
Health is key!
I can’t agree more with the things you said on the podcast. As long as weight is the goal, any improvements will be only temporary. Living low carb for the long haul and longterm health is the only way to be both a normal weight and healthy.
You’re welcome, Wanda! Happy to be doing the kicking rather than being the kickee!
When you shift the focus to health, Syd, everything else falls into place doesn’t it? WOO HOO!
You said it, too, Cora. It’s healthy, baby!!!
One general suggestion for this show: where the printed version shows up in my email inbox, the subject always says simply “{none}”. Find out how to add a subject and it will be much more intriguing for those who see it listed in their email. A minor detail, perhaps, but it makes a big difference, considering how people live nowadays. You have to catch their eye and entice them to follow the link. I realize it’s a podcast, but some of us are still emailers rather than podders, and likely to remain so.
Hmmm, thanks Kevin! I’m not privy to how that works, but I’m sure my producer Kevin Kennedy-Spaien is. He’s probably on it already.
Wow, what a powerful message. This was just what I needed to hear, too. Thank you so much for all the positive reinforcement!
Thanks TigerEyes! We’ll keep the positive reinforcement coming.
Jimmy,
What a great message! You know.. listening to your show made me “flashback” to the numerous times I have thought about losing weight.. EVERY DAY!!!… It is a lifestyle change.. and changing it so we can be consistent is important… and doing so in a way in which we don’t even have to think about it is even better! I know I am tired of thinking about losing weight, day in/day out…. I need to just get in to action!
Another thing that hit home.. “blaming something for the weight not coming off”.. and I realized when I joined my TOPS group that there is not an excuse.. and no one to blame… ONLY MY CHOICES!
I guess by thinking of it more now than I used to is a good thing.. I believe that I am headed in the right direction… this weight has got to go!
So, I will start living again, making choices that are best for my health.. and not dwelling on the “losing weight” part.
Thanks for the awesome message you are sending…
I can SUCCEED!!!
Cathleen
Hi, Jimmy! Another great podast! I really like how you include the podcast notes on this site so we can go back and re-read what you said in case we missed something. I often listen to your podcasts while I’m walking in downtown Taipei, and it’s just downright noisy over here! So sometimes I miss a few words here and there, but I can always check your podcast notes to see what I missed!
Have you ever done a podcast about your faith and how your relationship with the Lord has influenced your weight loss? If not, I’d love to hear one on that subject! I know not everyone would appreciate it, but that’s the great thing about podcasts…you don’t have to listen to them if you don’t want to!
You CAN succeed Cathleen!!! I was GREAT meeting you at the TOPS in York. KEEP AT IT!!!
THANK YOU, Taiwan Gal! I appreciate you listening and reading my podcasts. About your question regarding my faith in God and weight loss, YES I have done a podcast on that. Check out Episode 85 to hear it!
Jimmy,
What a week this has been for me. I ordered and read your book from Amazon.com; plus I found you on YouTube. I watched every one of your videos! Now, I have this site with your messages. I actually started the “rest of my life” on Monday, but not counting until today cuz it’s the first day I actually drank enough water. My husband has joined me, which makes shopping and cooking easier!!! I’d like to tell you my starting weight but will email you that instead.
What you said in #103 is still bouncing off the brain walls.
The part about living and eating to be healthy; not to lose weight (although that’s such a cool perk). I do have a headache but I feel it’s rat poison withdrawal. I never realized I was a junky until I studied your livin la vida low carb book.
This is some serious stuff. I’m here forever, so get used to it!
Next thing I’m going to do is check out Episode 85, cuz I was looking for more on your faith. ….I KNOW I CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT GOD!
Til next time, Thanks! (Hi Christine)
THANKS so much Sharon! Stick around a while and write to me anytime you have any questions. You and your husband will DO this!
Hi Jimmy,
I am trying to think like a healthy, active and beautiful woman. Visualization techniques use to help my bowling game. I caught a glimpse this AM and that girl in the mirror still has a long way to go, but she’s not giving up, and headed off to the gym for some workout time. I’ve been “trapped” in the fat body for way too long. I want to be the healthiest Shari I can be. Thanks for a great podcast. I’ve also wanted to say welcome back to your friend that was in the wreck. It’s good to have him back.
Shari
It’s VERY good to have Kevin back again and I’m happy to see he is recovered enough to do this show again. I MISSED IT! You are so right, Shari! Visualization may sound spooky, but it WORKS! As you think, you are…and I’m a hot, sexy and healthy man! LOL!
Jimmy, I just listened to this podcast this morning. I lost 60lbs on Atkins before, gained back 40 and have lost 20 again. My goal is 150 but I don’t have a time schedule for that goal. I’ve been wondering these last few months if I’m doing the right thing…concentrating on making/keeping this a lifestyle rather than focusing on weightloss. Do I feel like I’m meant to be in the 170’s? I don’t know…I wish I were in the 150s LOL but taking the time these last few months to concentrate on getting my eating right has made me more relaxed in meeting that goal. I still have my food issues, binge eating is huge for me, so I’m sure I’m going to be at this point for a while to come. You have affirmed to me my surety in keeping my eating lifestyle in the forefront rather than making weightloss the ultimate goal. Thanks!
YOU GO Shellslyn! That’s the spirit and I’m proud of you. Most people can get their heads wrapped around this idea, so CONGRATULATIONS!!! You’re gonna do great!
this was the best one Jimmy, so true, so true, so ture… I am so glad that you are doing the podcast again. Still plugging alone and reading and blogging and sharing, thanks for all your support. And I agree with all that you said. AMEN, Rene’
Keep at it, Rene’! Make us all proud!
hi i statrted a diet on dec 1st and its feb 29th i lost 36 pound by drinking only water, working out 4 days a week and eating protein no carbs no sugar i feel great my bithday is april 22 and im hoping i lost half of my weight which is 53 pounds i feel the rate im going i can do it and more i started at 281 im 5″8 and im down to 246 i just want to share something to any one trying to lose weight preplan your everyday meals and have the food thanks
WAY TO GO, Michelle!!! KEEP IT UP!!!