We may start the holidays with a desire to eat healthy and stay trim, but in the end if we desire three servings of pumpkin cheesecake more than we desire good health, which do you think will win out?
It always seem a more effective use of energy for me to work on change from the inside out rather than attempt to have iron discipline. I don't really like to be 'iron disciplined' by anyone-not even myself! Do you?
In my last post I talked about the importance of establishing a need when attempting fundamental change. The second and third steps Fournier taught were Desire and Vivid Vision. Keep in mind that each step enhances the one before and after it. So pumping up your desire will increase your feeling of need and establishing a valid need will naturally increase your desire.
I want to mention both steps two and three together because one of the best methods for increasing your desire is to work on your vivid vision.
Spend time each day visualizing how your life will look when making healthy choices is a consistent part of your life. Visualize yourself reaching into the fridge and grabbing fixings for a salad. Picture yourself with high energy, bright eyes, clear skin, or whatever motivates you to eat healthy and exercise. Make sure you can see it in great detail.
The stronger your vision is, the greater your desire will be. Continue to refer to your cost/payoff list so that the need remains strong in your heart and mind.
Although discipline will always be required with making healthy choices, you will find greater success and victory if you take these steps this holiday season. Each of these steps will ultimately lead to a passionate commitment which requires less discipline than a weak commitment to something you know you should do but don't really want to do.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Holidays and Food
Did you know that Americans on average gain 5lbs every holiday season? 5lbs which most never lose! That can start to add up! So the holidays are approaching and this week I implemented some strategies for staying ahead in the food game. I'm going to share a few of these over the next week or so, I hope you enjoy them and that you'll share your tricks as well!
I always feel like trying to have more self-discipline is just like hacking at the branches of the trees rather than getting to the root of things. One of my favorite classes I've ever taken was called, "Being Your Best' and it was developed by Mark Fournier. He taught about four steps that lead to a passionate commitment.
The first step is to Establish a Need. This is an essential and often overlooked step to fundamental change. You may have been trying to lose weight for years, but if overall things are pretty okay, then deep down you may not really feel a need do anything different. You may really want things to be different, but if you asked yourself do you really need them to be different, the answer might be, "hmm...actually...no."
So we establish a need by looking at things differently. We start choosing to see the long term consequences of continuing the way we are. Fournier teaches the use of a 'cost/payoff' list.
If you are working on having a healthier lifestyle, list the costs of not improving this area of your life. Think of things that really matter, like being in good health for your kids and enjoying your later years with your spouse. Also list the payoffs of making the changes you desire to make. Refer to this list often and in this way you establish a need-the first step to fundamental change.
I always feel like trying to have more self-discipline is just like hacking at the branches of the trees rather than getting to the root of things. One of my favorite classes I've ever taken was called, "Being Your Best' and it was developed by Mark Fournier. He taught about four steps that lead to a passionate commitment.
The first step is to Establish a Need. This is an essential and often overlooked step to fundamental change. You may have been trying to lose weight for years, but if overall things are pretty okay, then deep down you may not really feel a need do anything different. You may really want things to be different, but if you asked yourself do you really need them to be different, the answer might be, "hmm...actually...no."
So we establish a need by looking at things differently. We start choosing to see the long term consequences of continuing the way we are. Fournier teaches the use of a 'cost/payoff' list.
If you are working on having a healthier lifestyle, list the costs of not improving this area of your life. Think of things that really matter, like being in good health for your kids and enjoying your later years with your spouse. Also list the payoffs of making the changes you desire to make. Refer to this list often and in this way you establish a need-the first step to fundamental change.
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