Believe it & you will achieve it!
Hi everybody, my name is Niamh, I'm one of the mentors here at Tesco Diets and I've joined the Expert blog team to share some of the advice and support I give on a one to one basis with you all.
Many of you may have seen me use the words "Believe it and you will achieve it" in my responses to you. While I feel this is a powerful statement, there is more to it than just the words. This is a technique I personally use to get to the root of the things I value and turn these into positive action plans for change. When I first started using this statement it felt very strange to me but I gave it a shot and now I use them all the time.
To begin with I made a list of the things I wanted, putting "I love my..." or "I have my..." in front of the things I truly valued in life. This gave me a very positive foundation to take to the next level. My next step was to also write a list of the things I really wanted. So I changed the statement from "I love my life" to "I love my life because I am fit and active". Just writing all of this down, made it seem real to me.
So with my groundwork down, I focused on achieving being fit and active. My first step was a 12k organised walk I participated in last October. The walk was organised for the Irish Cancer Society and as my dad has cancer, I was doing it not just for me, but for somebody I loved, my dad. I had my plan and I had my motivation, so I started to train. Before the walk, I was managing 7k and silly me, I thought that 7k was nearly 12, so I would be prepared for the walk. Boy I was wrong! The training I did simply wasn't enough, not only had I not managed 12k but what I had done was on flat surface; the walk was up and down a very steep hill.
I started the walk and thought it would be a breeze, then came the rain, buckets of it. I had brought my dog with me and we both got soaked to the skin; all three layers I was wearing stuck to me. I was nowhere near the finish line and at this stage felt like quitting but I then remembered my mantra "Believe it and you will achieve it". I changed feeling miserable into determination, pictured myself crossing the finishing line with all the fulfilment I would feel with it. I picked myself up and three hours later, soaked to my skin and having carried my dog for the past hour and a half, I staggered across the finishing line. There wasn't a soul around to say well done, they had all gone into hiding with the rain. Back in my car, feeling miserable, I sat and cried. I cried, not just because I felt miserable but because I was overwhelmed by my feelings of achievement. Believe it and you will achieve it saw me through to the end, although my little dog Angel, who loves her walks, went into hiding for 3 days after every time I took her harness out. She just didn't want to know me but do you blame her after such an ordeal?
On a day to day basis, I also find this technique particularly helps me focus on my diet. I love cooked veg, but I don't eat enough and decided to eat salads at lunch. It was a struggle to begin with, I was eating foods I wouldn't normally and truth be told, spent more time thinking of what I wasn't eating, not about the new flavours I was enjoying. But I knew what my goal was and I believed I could do it. In time I was truly enjoying my new diet and I continue to. I believed it, I worked at it and I achieved it.
On a day to day basis, I also find this technique particular helps me focus on my diet. I love cooked veg, but I don't eat enough and decided to eat salads at lunch. It was a struggle to begin with, I was eating foods I wouldn't normally and truth be told, spent more time thinking of what I wasn't eating, not about the new flavours I was enjoying. But I knew what my goal was and I believed I could do it. In time I was truly enjoying my new diet and I continue to. I believed it, I worked at it and I achieved it.
To finish off, I will use one final non diet and exercise example. I have often said that I would love to drive a Hummer but this Hummer of my dreams has never just appeared in front of me. However, I learned that I could rent one when I was on holidays. So I did my research, believed I could make this happen, took the steps to rent it and I drove my Hummer. Believing and achieving will only come about through taking steps to make it happen, investing in yourself and seeing it through. I was once told that planting seeds in the soil doesn't make the crop grow, you must water it, have the right conditions for it to grow and care for it. Invest in yourself, believe in what you want and create the right conditions for them to grow and you'll reap your own healthy harvest of achievements.
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them". ~ Walt Disney ~
Hi Niamh I read this when you first posted it but didn't comment. It really is an inspiring piece and I really will 'believe it and I will achieve it Thank You Gwyneth
Comment by GWYNETHD -
I agree with everything you say and you are clearly living the message as you have used it and got what you want. So inspiring.
Thanks Niamh.
Comment by JULESDUB -
Hello Niamh, Just to say how much I enjoyed reading your believe it & you will achieve it theory. I can understand what you mean when putting the same thought into the dieting regime. I know I will succeed this time because I believe it and it is already happening. I think I am about the 7k mark but remain positive about reaching the 12k finishing line. The big difference is it was much harder for you with the cold wind and rain. Keep the advice coming it is all so helpful. Regards Ruth.
Comment by RUTHALLAN101147 -
Hi everybody, my sincerest thanks for not only reading my Experts Angle but also for responding. It is really encouraging to get such great feedback and I wish you the very best of luck on your weight loss journey. No matter where you are on your journey, believe it and you will achieve it.
Comment by NIAMH1978 -
Hello Niamh
I'm new, today was my first day and I think I did ok.
Believe it and you will achieve it
I really do believe in positive visualisation and it has worked for me before in a non weight related way. I am going to actively use it as I begin and follow my journey to a healthier, fitter, stronger and slimmer me.
Thanks
Wendy
Comment by NEWLOOKWS -
Thank you Niamh Kate
Comment by KATHRYNWELLS -
Hi Niamh. I'm almost in tears. You went for it and you did it! My daughter ran the London marathon as a fundraiser after I got breast cancer..thankfully all clear now, but I was so proud of my daughter and I know your dad will be so very proud of you. You are truly inspiring.
Poor Angel, I can imagine her hiding! Lol!
Thank you. Hilary
Comment by HILARYSLOAN -
Great blog - love your message. Just starting out on my diet journey. Have been here a hundred times before - but I know this time I am going to suceed. Looking forward to your next blog
Comment by KELLYBROOK -
Hi Niamh,
I can really imagine you crossing the line with poor little Angle. I don't blame her hiding from you for the next 3 days.
I have pictured myself at my kettle Bell class tonight. Because with the wild wind and rain we have here in Dublin today it'll be the only way I'll get there.
Your expert angle is really inspiring. I can't wait for your next one.
Thank you,
Debbie
Comment by JOHNMORRISSEY65 -