We’ve covered off on key aspects of diet and exercise to keep you healthy and looking the way you want. However, while we can all agree with the points I shared, we also must acknowledge how tough it can be to actually do the right things, which are to eat right and get the exercise we need, whether it is at the gym, in the park, or at a dance studio. This is where the mindset comes in.
Let’s face it. We don’t wake up each day with the intention of bad habits, however, they creep up on us, where some days we have better habits than others. Are there things we can do? My husband recently came across this article in the Charlotte Observer, which talks about self-compassion, suggesting it is the first step to better health. Many “diets” and exercises are about deprivation, self-discipline and neglect, which can be a lot on adults who tend to be self-critical. This criticism, rather than compassion, can lead to overindulgence. Thus, perhaps it is best to give yourself a break if you have to miss the gym here and there or eat that extra scoop of ice cream. You deserved it!! If you are interested in learning more about this concept, read the article or check out the two books referenced in the article: The Self-Compassion Diet and Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind.
Another idea to consider is how you view diet and exercise for your health. For example, are you doing it because you want to be healthy or for a more specific reason such as “I need to lose weight?” If it is the latter, consider this from Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness. In her book, she speaks about how she overcame a smoking addiction and how her friend stopped yo-yo dieting and instead, has maintained her wait for years. In both cases, they overcame their addictions by making their goal something bigger than “the goal.” For example, Kathy’s friend finally came to the realization that she wanted to be healthy and feel good. Once she set that goal, rather than the goal of “I need to lose weight,” she was able to lose the weight and has since kept it off. Kathy has made an entire business out of her new found healthy way of living and has released many books since her debut, Quantum Wellness – Quantum Wellness Cleanse and Veganist. Her motto is “healthy living, conscious eating.”
Let’s face it. We don’t wake up each day with the intention of bad habits, however, they creep up on us, where some days we have better habits than others. Are there things we can do? My husband recently came across this article in the Charlotte Observer, which talks about self-compassion, suggesting it is the first step to better health. Many “diets” and exercises are about deprivation, self-discipline and neglect, which can be a lot on adults who tend to be self-critical. This criticism, rather than compassion, can lead to overindulgence. Thus, perhaps it is best to give yourself a break if you have to miss the gym here and there or eat that extra scoop of ice cream. You deserved it!! If you are interested in learning more about this concept, read the article or check out the two books referenced in the article: The Self-Compassion Diet and Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind.
Another idea to consider is how you view diet and exercise for your health. For example, are you doing it because you want to be healthy or for a more specific reason such as “I need to lose weight?” If it is the latter, consider this from Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness. In her book, she speaks about how she overcame a smoking addiction and how her friend stopped yo-yo dieting and instead, has maintained her wait for years. In both cases, they overcame their addictions by making their goal something bigger than “the goal.” For example, Kathy’s friend finally came to the realization that she wanted to be healthy and feel good. Once she set that goal, rather than the goal of “I need to lose weight,” she was able to lose the weight and has since kept it off. Kathy has made an entire business out of her new found healthy way of living and has released many books since her debut, Quantum Wellness – Quantum Wellness Cleanse and Veganist. Her motto is “healthy living, conscious eating.”
I can attest to Kathy’s and her friend’s “make it about something other than the thing” mentality. In May 2004, I moved back from studying abroad in Australia. I came home to find that at 5’9″, I weighed in at 153 pounds, a good 10 pounds what I used to weigh. Sadly, one of my male classmates even commented on my large behind. I felt terrible. Worse, I came home, just celebrated my 30th birthday, and realized I had accomplished all the goals I set for myself. What was next? I had no job and no goals and my mom’s cancer was getting so bad, the family was falling apart! Inspired by a dear friend who ran the marathon through Team in Training, I decided to do one as well. I had nothing to lose! At this point, I never ran more than one mile in my life. I started slowly but I got there. I was so focused on training and being able to simply finish the marathon, that I forgot about my worries. In fact, I lost 20 pounds, fell in love with running, and gained my confidence back. Today, I am in the best shape of my life. I have also learned that if I am angry, sad, or depressed, all I need are my gym shoes. My brain knows to suck it up and go!
Whether you find you need self-compassion or a goal bigger than losing weight, for example, think about what works best for you. Perhaps it helps to consider what is going on in your life. What is impacting you the most and in what way does it impact you? What brings you down? What lifts you back up? Being healthy is about the whole self, not just what you eat and how much you exercise.
Second Tuesday 