Do you ever fib about your weight? Well, one woman from Michigan decided to take a different route. Instead of lying to others, she started deceiving herself — and remarkably shed 40 pounds in the process. It’s a fascinating tale of self-transformation through the power of the mind.
The protagonist of our story is Leaha Ureel, a TikTok sensation who shared her unconventional weight loss journey with the world. In a video that garnered nearly 4 million views, she unveiled her secret: “I gaslit myself into losing 40 pounds by just pretending I’m already skinny.”
“I gaslit myself into losing 40 pounds by just pretending I’m already skinny.” – Leaha Ureel
But how does this seemingly bizarre concept work? Ureel tapped into the intriguing realm of the subconscious mind. By visualizing herself as already slim and adopting behaviors associated with being thin, she managed to reprogram her brain to crave healthier choices and activities.
“What really got me is that the body will convince the mind that maybe the hobbies you like are active hobbies.” – Leaha Ureel
This technique may sound far-fetched, but Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb, an esteemed obesity expert at Weight Medicine MD, sees merit in it. Despite its association with negative connotations, Dr. Garcia-Webb believes that strategic psychological exercises like ‘gaslighting’ can yield surprising results.
According to Dr. Garcia-Webb, this method capitalizes on a well-established psychological principle: “act like the person you want to become — and your brain starts to believe it.” By embodying the habits and mindset of one’s desired self, individuals can trigger profound shifts in behavior and perception.
“So if you want to lose weight…How do you act at work…when you get home?” – Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb
Delving deeper into this transformative approach, Dr. Garcia-Webb emphasizes the importance of creating a detailed blueprint for one’s aspirational self. By meticulously envisioning every aspect of life as that future persona — from daily routines to social interactions — individuals can bridge the gap between their current selves and their envisioned identities.
While this method offers a compelling pathway to personal reinvention, caution is advised regarding its potential health implications. Dr. Garcia-Webb warns against adopting unsustainable or harmful practices in pursuit of physical transformation.
“If someone thinks…severely restricts calories,…that’s not going to bode well for their overall health.” – Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb
Instead of fixating solely on external markers like weight or appearance, Dr. Garcia-Webb advocates for a holistic approach centered on cultivating overall well-being and vitality. Framing one’s identity around optimal health rather than arbitrary numbers fosters sustainable lifestyle changes rooted in self-care.
In essence, ‘gaslighting’ your way to weight loss isn’t just about trickery; it’s about rewiring your thoughts and actions towards a healthier version of yourself—mind over matter in its most literal sense.
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