Weight Loss Guru

Pete Cohen has already helped thousands of people to create the life they want, through his television work  (GMTV's resident Life Coach and motivator for the past 10  years), his work with sport stars (Ronnie O'Sullivan, Sally Gunnell, Ellen Macarthur, Arsenal Football Club) and his corporate seminars (IBM, Royal Bank of Scotland, BAA, Thomas Cook).

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Hi there

Click below to read a great article that I wrote with personal trainer Susan Cass, called Dietary Snakes and Ladders.

Snakes and Ladders is a game that we may have  all played. You know where the game starts on the  board and you know where the end is, but there  are many different routes you can take and an infinite number of outcomes. The same can be said for weight loss

Please make a comment below about this article if you find it helpful in any way.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE

Dietary-Snakesladders-petecohen.pdf
Open/Download PDF file

Photo by g-hat | Flickr

Hi everyone,

I know many of you have been listening to my old Slimming With Pete, Guided Visualisation and Transformation MP3, that I made over ten years ago. Thanks for all your positive feedback.

I have another little treat for you to listen to as I have uploaded some of the extra relaxing music we made, when we put the MP3 together. Relaxing or chillaxing as I like to call it, is a vital part of becoming slimmer, fitter and healthier. So when you want a break, rather than having a KITKAT, give yourself 15 minutes to put your feet up and chill..... ax.

PLAY / DOWNLOAD

Take care,
Pete

It’s official: Right is wrong when it comes to which side to get out of bed

Has anyone ever said to you of a morning, “What’s up with you this morning? Get out of the wrong side of bed?” 

But what is ‘the wrong side’? Well  I was recently involved with a  leading hotel chain,  to see if  we could find the answer. We came to the conclusion  that when it comes to getting out of bed, RIGHT IS WRONG and we should all be aiming to get up on the LEFT.

This conclusion was made following hot debate by me and two other experts from the fields of sleep science and Feng Shui. Dr Chris Alford and Jan Cisek.

Principles of Feng Shui and elements of known left-brain function helped to establish the conclusion.

According to the Feng Shui principle of Bagua; creating harmony through the use of space, the left side of the bed is associated with what we hold dear – family and health, money and power (knowledge). 

Feng Shui expert Jan Cisek says: “By getting out of bed on the left side, you direct positive energy into the corresponding areas of your life. It is a powerful tool that can also be used to help you arrange your bed when you’re staying away from home”.

The study further determined that getting out of bed on the correct side goes beyond just the physical action of getting out on the left side. It also includes the use of the left side of the brain to prepare the mind for having the best possible day.

The left side of the brain is responsible for logical and analytical function. Psychology and motivation expert Pete Cohen says it is this side we use to think rationally about the day ahead:

“Before getting out of bed on the left, consider the day and its benefits. The right side of the brain is responsible for emotions like fear and stress, which only dilute your potential for having a positive experience”.

What if I got out of the ‘wrong side’ of bed this morning?

Our study produced some simple techniques Brits can use to help salvage a day that has begun badly from getting out of bed on the wrong side.

Sleep expert Dr Alford says one of the key techniques is reducing the sleep chemicals that build up in the brain over the course of a day, contributing to feelings of irritability and lethargy:

“By taking a power nap or going into a meditative state for twenty minutes, you can reduce the level of sleep chemicals and start your day over feeling more relaxed and calm.”

Ensuring you don't 'get out the wrong side':

Getting out of bed on the correct side (the LEFT):

1.       Lie in your bed on your back with your head facing North

2.       Think rationally about the benefits the day will bring

3.       Get out of bed on the side to your left

What to do if you have ‘got out of the wrong side of bed’:

1.       Begin your day again… If it is still early or you are at home: go back to bed and release the previously bad start. Lie facing North, think rationally about the benefits of the day before getting out of bed from the left side

2.       Stop, relax and regain control… By taking a power nap or meditating for a period of twenty minutes you can rid your brain of the build up of sleep chemicals which can contribute to irritability and lethargy

3.       Change your psychology with physiology… Go for a jog or do a yoga class at lunchtime - exercise reduces tension and releases endorphins that promote a happy state of mind

So what do you think and which side of the bed do you get out of? Let us know... please leave a comment

A son and his father were walking in the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"

He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"

The voice answers: "I admire you!"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

Again he screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:

"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love
in your heart. If you want more competence in your team,
improve your competence.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects
of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

Hi there,

So lately I've noticed a lot of people who are following the petecohen.tv program are having great success using  Tool 3 - the Relaxation & Transformation MP3...

Here's just a few of their comments:

"I am still finding the MP3 tool is working the best for me"

"The MP3 is great. At the end I feel wonderful"

 "The relaxation MP3 helps me keep my stress levels down and increase my belief in my ability to keep losing weight."

"Pete is right about the MP3 - it does relax me and makes me feel more positive."

"I can't believe how much better the relaxation and transformation mp3 makes me feel. I am eaten better and feeling great"

[ Scroll down to listen to the MP3 ]

But, dieting is hard work?

So how can this Relaxation Track help people lose weight when it seems like a dichotomy; going against everything that people are usually told about losing weight?

Most people associate weight loss with dieting, and dieting with hard work, denial, sweat and sometimes tears. The process of losing weight makes many people tense and anxious as they are so concerned about how much they are eating or whether they have lost enough weight.

It has always been my goal that in helping people to lose weight, I would also teach them to enjoy the process and become more relaxed and calm. 

This is especially important because most people overeat when they are tired, bored, lonely, stressed, anxious or sad, along with many other emotions.  Bad eating habits are not often associated with feeling relaxed, calm and peaceful.

The transformation and relaxation tool relaxes the body and calms the mind. The knock-on effect of this is that people become better at managing their emotions and make better choices, automatically choosing foods which are healthier as well as having an increased desire to exercise and be active.

[ Scroll down to listen to the MP3 ]

The power of suggestion.

Everyone is open to suggestion and we are more easily influenced that we think. For example if I was to say to you "What do beans mean ?" - do you hear a voice in your head that goes "HEINZ" ?  Or if I was to say to you "Pringles, once you pop" - do you hear a voice in your head that says "You just can't stop" 

The power of positive suggestion or, as some people call it, positive affirmation is an essential part of achieving success in many areas of life, whether  that's sport, business or - of course - losing weight and getting fit.

In this tool I take the person, who wants to lose weight, on a guided journey where I make many positive suggestions to them and their ability to break habits and achieve. The result of this is that people start to give themselves more positive reinforcements and feel good about all the changes they are making. 

In addition there are many health benefits from using this tool because when people relax their brains works differently and this creates many positive changes in the body, like decreased blood pressure, heart rate, muscular tension and better digestion. 

So until next time, take time to chillax, which is my new made up word for relaxing in the modern world ;)

Hi there guys and girls,

Did you know there's an old saying that goes ‘A path with no obstacles goes nowhere’.

There are always going to be times when you make a mistake or think you’ve failed. Most of us fear failure because we think it means that we are failures. But failing is just something we have to do occasionally – it’s the other side of success. When we get things wrong, it’s an ideal opportunity to learn.

What you’ve done is less important than your response to what you’ve done. So if, for example, you overeat because you're stressed, or tired, or bored. Just say, ‘Ok, that’s what I did this time – What will I do differently next time?’

Think back to when you learned to drive or ride a bike. You almost certainly didn’t get that right first time. But the mistakes you made were signposts that gave you the opportunity to learn.

Dieters are always one mouthful away from failure: one piece of chocolate or a late night binge and they think, ‘I’ve blown it', and what a great excuse to dive back into your old bad habits that is! But once it’s eaten, it’s finished, it’s history! Stop beating yourself up and get on with your life. The successful slimmers I’ve worked with have used experiences like this as opportunities to learn.

Keep learning.

It’s only day one and already emotions have run high. First off we had technical problems today that stopped us showing any of Inch Loss live. But, what can you do? Technology never works perfectly... all we can do is hope that tomorrow runs more smoothly.

Our recruits were woken up at 5 this morning for a fitness session, it’s now 6pm and they're sooo tired, but still smiling. Karen from Scotland has been really upset today as she finally accepted what she has done to herself over the years. I had a heart-to-heart with her and she got pretty upset. I know though, that this is a good thing, because she's facing up to herself and allowing the stored negative emotions to come out.

They are great girls and I am sure they will do really well.

The experts have been working-out together... we have just finished a run around the island. How fit are Doctor Hilary and Amanda Hamilton? I tell you - VERY FIT!

Well January 2008 is well and truly here. How goes it in your world?

Have you set any new resolutions yet? Add them to the comments if you have!

A while back, I set out my mini-guide for a great year, which included making a commitment to look after yourself, making yourself a priority, and having loads of fun. With that commitment in mind, I encourage you to put together a wish list of all the things you would like to achieve this year.  Something amazing happens when we write down what we want.  I remember about ten years ago, I was at a workshop and we were asked to write down all the goals we wanted to achieve. I wrote down:

Now the strange thing is that I didn't really think about this list very often until a few years ago, when I was clearing out some of my possessions.   Amongst them, I found the book that I had written this list in and, to my amazement,  nearly everything I had written down as a goal had come true.

Let me tell you about a study by Yale University on goal setting that was carried out in the 1950's. The researchers surveyed those who graduated in 1953 to determine how many of them had specific, written goals for their future - only 3% of them had. Twenty years later, the researchers surveyed the surviving members of the original group and found that the 3% who'd set goals had accumulated more personal financial wealth than the other 97% of the class combined! Whilst goal setting and happiness are not all about money, this anecdote shows how powerful we can be when we set our mind to something.

The Challenge

This can work for any kind of goal, no matter how small it may seem. So I challenge you to get a piece of paper and write 'The sky is the limit' at the top of it: then take five minutes to write down a list of all the goals you want to achieve.  Whatever they are, just get them down on paper and then put it away somewhere safe. You can look at it every now and again but, as you can see from my story, you'll probably forget about it after a while: but it doesn't matter. Your focus will be set on those goals and, before you know it, they will become reality.

One small action

Some people feel intimidated by their own desires and, if they've experienced failure in the past, they might even feel anxious that they can't achieve them. If you're one of those people who feels worried or scared about your goal, just take a small step towards it. Do one thing - no matter what it is - that gets you that little bit nearer to what you want.  By taking even the smallest action, you will build momentum and confidence in yourself and, before you know it, you'll be on a roll.

Let's work together - as I hope to provide you with inspiration and tips over the next year to help you achieve your hopes, dreams, goals and ambitions. 

Hi there and let me start by wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas! - It's nearly upon us!
 
"You don't know how lucky you are!" was a regular put-down directed by my parents at me as I was growing up.  It was a critical remark used particularly when I wanted something new, or was bored with what I was doing. Once it had passed my parents' lips, the line had been drawn and I knew a lecture would soon follow on the subject of how much we had, compared to how little they had in the earlier part of their lives.  My parents were right, their generation had grown up during the war, with the real fear of air raids and the restricted diet and lifestyle  associated with rationing.  And the hardships suffered by their parents was greater still.

With many more lifestyle choices, a higher standard of living and more disposable income, we have never had it so good and yet greater numbers are suffering serious emotional distress. It is reported that, in Britain, almost a quarter of us suffer from depression or anxiety and a further quarter are on the verge of such distress.

Just as the experiences of my childhood proved, I was becoming increasingly confused between my needs and wants.

According to Oliver James in his book "Affluenza", two-thirds of Britons believe that they cannot afford everything they really need. Even when earnings increase, the perceived disparity remains, and the potential for anxiety and depression amplify.

For many people living in the western world, they feel like a hamster on a wheel, never having enough time, never having enough money and waiting for the promotion or windfall which will help them get on to the next step of the ladder. For almost all, the utopian ideal of a work life balance remains just a dream. I remember Christmas many years ago when it was quiet and peaceful, everyone seemed to slow down and take a few days off. Today, so many of us frantically work right up to Christmas Day, only to then stop for just one day and then pick up the pace again on Boxing Day.

So how about this Christmas, you take the time to focus on your needs and maybe fit in some YOU time.

Set yourself a challenge to enjoy the festive period and to have as much fun as possible with your friends and family.

In my next couple of posts, I'll be offering you some top tips on how to achieve any New Year's resolutions you may make.

Take care,
Pete