The Effect of Words on Our Sub-Conscious

The effect of the words we use, on our sub-conscious, can have a significant effect on how we feel about us. I love words, I love reading, I love word-games (so much so I’ve deleted them, bar 1, off my phone) and recognise how they can be a powerful tool in many situations. I also wrote about the power of words here.

The language we use around food and exercise can have such a big impact.

Phrases like being on track vs off track, getting back on the wagon (a weight watchers favourite back in the day!).  Straight away these phrases invoke feelings of failure.

Clean eating – does that make some eating/food dirty?

Good food vs bad food

Healthy vs unhealthy – healthy means so many different things to different people.  The word healthy has also been used so widely in the diet world it can evoke feelings of guilt if we eat something so called “unhealthy” – which in fact could be more nourishing holistically. As Abby Langer says about the term healthy – “It’s also been co-opted by diet culture, so it’s sort of a loaded term. On any given minute, you can find ‘healthy’ versions of any recipe under the sun, and it’s anybody’s guess what makes them ‘healthier’ than their regular counterparts. The ingredients? The satisfaction they give the person eating them? Who knows. “

Using words/phrases such as nutrient dense or nourishing are more positive.

The effect of language on our actions

In terms of our actions it helps to not think of things as a success or failure.

Instead of working out/exercising with a focus of earning or working off food, focus on the feeling you get from it – those good old endorphines, feeling strong etc. Through learning to listen to our bodies we can stop feeling like we have to make up for things we’ve eaten.

We need to stop applying moral judgements to food and this in turn helps take away moral judgements from ourselves.

Whatever our goals and intention behind our actions it needs to be from a place of kindness.

We may think – I’ve eaten a lot of X food recently, so I’m going to focus on increasing Y – does this mean we shouldn’t enjoy food X – no.  But it’s being aware of how we’re feeling in ourselves.

A personal example – we recently had a family celebration for one of daughters 18thbirthdays.  Drinks and cake were the order of the day.  The next day the thought of eating any cake was a big no, I was wanting salad & not a lot else.  So that’s what I ate.  Not through any feelings of guilt or to make up for what I had eaten the day before but because I was listening to what I really wanted and what would make me feel good.

Changing one word can make a massive difference.

Molly Galbraith of Girls Gone Strong, talks about how sometimes changing just one word can change the way our brain starts reacting

e.g. I want to workout today, but I don’t have much time.  Just changing the word but for and
immediately starts you trying to think of ways around the problem.

Alternatively, I want to workout today and I don’t have much time –this starts the brain thinking of ways around the obstacle – how can I get round this, what quick workout can I fit in, could I walk instead of drive?

I need to workout to I get to workout – it makes it less of a chore and more a feeling of gratitude for the ability or opportunity to do so.

If your goal is to change weight, instead of thinking I want to lose weight – I want to find health and fitness for me.  Looking for something instead of losing it – again a more positive slant.

We’ve all heard the phrase, speak to yourself as if you were your best friend and as a mum this image by @hannah_neese and shared by @theselflovesummit really resonated with me.

Speak kindly to yourself, speak positively and be grateful – these all take practice but can have an amazing impact.

Think about how you talk to yourself – would you say that to someone else. If the answer is no then rephrase it.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to receive guides on how to be kinder to yourself where food is concerned check out my free ebook “Find Your Food Freedom” an introduction - click here.