Diet. Lifestyle change. Challenge. Cleanse.
Are you familiar with any of these words?
At one point or another most of us have at the very least, had a casual encounter with one of these methods to transform our bodies, add energy, or improve health.
In my case, I had a serial relationship with them for quite some time…
I’d work diligently to ‘be good’ all week and then when the weekend would roll around I’d find myself letting loose – telling myself I have to live and enjoy life. I deserve it. After all, I worked so hard all week.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
If so, then you probably know what comes next: post-weekend guilt, followed by a feeling of hopelessness and defeat. At times, these feelings may drive us to be more extreme and ‘strict’ or ‘clean’ in the following days to help counter the damage that was done.
And this process continues to repeat itself week after week.
It’s exhausting isn’t it?
Here’s the good news – There is a better way to accomplish your goals. It’s quite simple really.
Want to know what the secret is?
(Drumroll please)
Here it is: Slowly change your habits consistently over long period of time.
- Although it can be easy for us to try to justify and make excuses – think about your choices and really take responsibility for them. Usually these actions are deeply rooted and tied to emotions and habits and patterns that are often difficult to change.
- Understand that you can’t work off your food choices by working out. Yes, exercise is good for us, but trust me when I tell you that it does not offer an exchange to eat whatever you want.
- Move away from good food vs. bad food and cheat days. Instead, choose to become educated about why certain foods are better for you than others. As you become more aware, you’ll find yourself not wanting to make choices that ultimately do not serve your goal.
- You don’t have to be perfect. Just make slow incremental changes gradually and over time. You will see and feel the transformation happen naturally.
Real, long term change isn’t usually easy. If it were, many things would likely be different in our life.
Ok- so what can you do to make it easier to be the person who actually succeeds at changing their nutrition, eating habits, body and health?
Have a good, solid support system – whether it’s a psychologist, mentor, trainer or nutrition coach. This person should offer you guidance, motivation, provide reliable information and help keep you accountable.
