We’ve been talking about making small changes, one at a time. This brings success that we can see and build on.
It helps when we make list to help us look at what we want to accomplish. Writing things down on paper that we can add to, adjust and mark our successes helps us reach goals and maintain changes easier. Journaling or “writing down” our thoughts, both good and bad, helps us “see” things easier. Keep a separate notebook or journal to use and you’d be amazed how much you will learn about yourself and can gain from doing this on a regular basis.
As you began this with your eating, list the things you “know” you should give up, along with things you would like to give up to feel better. It can also be simple – such as cutting back one cup of coffee per day or going to half decaf so you’re cutting down the amount of caffeine but not giving up “how much”.
We can make a similar list for other areas of our life. What do we need to cut down on or out of our life and what do we need to put into it? It can be adding in stretching or exercise. It can also be a negative attitude about someone or something that “drags” us down and we need to let go of, replacing it with some thoughts to “redirect” our energies into something more positive. It could be cutting back on smoking. Or adding short breaks to “regroup” and “refresh” so we have more balance in our lives. Take time to call and check up on a friend you haven’t seen in a while, etc. What changes would you like to make in your life?
After you have made your two separate list, put them in the order of easiest to do or give up, to the hardest and anticipated most difficult to change. We will begin with the easiest and work our way down the list or you might say “up” the list to our most difficult.
Realize that some things you may never totally give up, but cut back on significantly – both in food and in habits or choices. Fried food once in awhile and taking a week off to rest, or staying up late occasionally are tolerable.
Our goal is to go from 80% of our habits that are not as good to 80% being the positive choices with 20% on the questionable side – (ex. desert a couple of times a week versus two helpings each night). Changing our percentages slowly will make the choices easier as they become a part of our normal routine, instead of a change to gain a specific goal that will return once the goal is met – or what is called a diet (which usually does not create a long term effect).
Again, remember to be gentle and loving to yourself and you will find your journey much easier and your successes will become long term.
Blessings as you “re-think” some choices in your life. Remember to make this fun! And “know” you can and will succeed, even if it seems incredibly slow and difficult sometimes.
along with things you would like to give up to feel better. It can also be simple – such as cutting back one cup of coffee per day or going to half decaf so you’re cutting down the amount of caffeine but not giving up “how much”.
I Can Do This Lifestyle 