[...]... of thinness All of these are crucial to mental and physical health and permanent weight- loss success Even if you think your life is going well emotionally and mentally, there are things you will learn in this chapter and the next that will make the journey to normal weight much easier Take the time to read Part I of the book (Attitude and Behavior, Chapters 1–5) before delving into the later sections... health is the primary goal in permanent weight loss This book is about accomplishing both When you set yourself on the path of mental and physical health, the weight loss will follow If you try to shortcut the process, you won’t get very far A positive attitude and a focus on pleasure and joy are an integral part of losing weight forever Laughter is a key component to weight loss There have even been research... being slathered, enveloped, and heated None of those techniques really work; they are only sucking water out of your system However, I guarantee that you will experience rapid and dramatic weight loss with the piranha swim Laughter is the key to weight loss Well, really, it’s those things that cause laughter, like happiness, fun, and pleasure But we can use laughter as a good gauge of how happy and content... are forced to abandon physical signs of appreciation with most of the people we interact with on a daily basis In the proper and acceptable setting, put physical touch back on your to do” list As a physician, I sit at the bedside and touch my patients on the arm or hold their hand just to connect with them and make certain they understand that I care (With the use of high-tech equipment, doctors have... Your Head and Laugh 19 by getting together weekly and reciting the special things that we are grateful for at that moment, including our freedoms, our friends, and our community REMEMBER, THE FAMILY THAT LAUGHS TOGETHER IS LESS LIKELY TO KILL EACH OTHER When stressed and overwhelmed by work, family, or life, remind yourself of the big picture Keep proper perspective on the small stuff and the little... positive thinking attracts success in all areas of life Our society tends to focus on the negative, cynical, and sarcastic Note that the news emphasizes the violent, the angry, the ugly, and the unusual—that’s what makes it news Learn to tune out that emphasis, and embrace the beautiful, the compassionate, and 20 Laugh Yourself Thin the positive Guard your brain from assaults by those who dwell on the darker,... Laugh Yourself Thin arguments with family members, waiting for the repairman, or being stuck in traffic) and obesity.4 Her results demonstrated that for weight loss to be permanent, one must address the psychological factors of daily stress and loss of control, thus preventing the need to soothe frazzled emotions through eating When people have passion in their lives, true meaning, deep pleasure, and. .. “I want to look better in my clothes” or “I just want to get back to my college weight. ” But the real reason is only twofold—either it’s for health or it’s for happiness There’s no point to being thin, sick, and miserable We all know people who are like that Generally they’ve got cancer or they hate themselves, and, either way, you don’t want that for yourself Mental and physical health is the primary... (Oh, and one more thing: pay attention throughout My husband and I are professors Don’t be surprised if there’s a quiz at the end.) PART I Attitude and Behavior This page intentionally left blank ONE Turn Your Head and Laugh: Happiness, Joy, and Pleasure in the Pursuit of Weight Loss People want quick results, but there are no healthy ways to rapidly slim down Health spas often promise serious weight loss. .. description of the cardiovascular benefits of a good pillow fight And we all need a good pillow fight on a regular basis The way to lose weight and to keep it off permanently is to lower stress, depression, 4 Laugh Yourself Thin and other negative emotions through positive thinking, humor, fun, and lots of laughter A lighter approach to life leads to a lighter waist line A recent study by Dr Mark Wilson at . Laugh Yourself Thin This page intentionally left blank Laugh Yourself Thin Making Happiness, Fun, and Pleasure the Keys to Permanent Weight Loss. rapid and dramatic weight loss with the piranha swim. Laughter is the key to weight loss. Well, really, it’s those things that cause laughter, like happiness,