How are you doing?

So how is your “list” going?

It’s amazing to become aware of what you are eating and why. Then the longer you become conscious of the “cause and effect” of your eating choices, times and amounts, the easier it is to begin to make those small changes that really add up.

I started with cutting back on bread and then cheese. Once these were “under control” and I became aware of the amount and chose substitutions, “delayed” my intake until I was sidetracked by other things or found a healthier alternative, I then added another “habit” to adjust.

When you throw out the word “diet” and stop trying to deny yourself things you really love, you make huge progress toward gaining and maintaining changes in your choices and behaviors. You are simply making adjustments and slight changes and these are “do-able”.

Over the months and years, the habits become healthier ones and you find that instead of the 80/20 ratio being 80% awful and unhealthy choices with only 20% good and healthy – it slowly shift to 80% healthy and good with only 20% not as “healthy”. As this shift occurs, you find that you feel so much better with the healthy choices and not overeating habits that you also become very “aware” when you “stray” from your newfound patterns of choices and then soon it becomes “automatic” to stay on the new path you have created.

This past couple of weeks I chose a simple way to add more “exercise” or “moving” my body using these wonderful muscles we have been given. I drove one or two levels higher in the parking garage and one or two aisles further from the door, as well as a further distance from the door when I had to do errands and go into stores. It might not be that much of a difference but it did add some extra steps and it felt good to walk the extra stairs and distance. I have also gotten more dedicated to doing my nightly stretches and increasing the ones I’m doing, because it really feels good and is once again becoming a habit.

Did you get some phrases added to your “self-talk” and the “noise” from other people and devices in your life? Did you “listen” to the positive thoughts that bring encouragement and changes in how you “see” yourself and react to stresses in your life?

As I dealt with some difficulties, I defaulted to some of my “favorite” ways to readjust my mindset and when I really felt like some Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies to “help” on a particularly frustrating day – I allowed myself the little $1 bag instead of the box – even if it wasn’t as economical in nature – it was a good choice that satisfied me and left no temptation to “finish” off the entire large box later had I purchased it. I also saved the other couple of dollars too – so it was a win “win” all the way around for me.

Keep up your “little” changes and your dedication to becoming aware of what you are doing and you will gain momentum to shift your 80/20 quicker than you would think. Success breeds success and I know you can achieve success over the days and weeks to come as we focus on the positive improvements and allow our “slip ups” to go sliding right on by.

Blessings as you remember to be gentle with yourself and have fun on your journey to making better choices.

Rebecca

p.s. “Food for thought” – These concepts work for other habits and choices besides just food and exercise – they can be implemented with success and bring wonderful results in other areas of your life as well.