Change Your Internal Dialogue

When I read this post on Facebook awhile back, it got me thinking about a few things. First, just how far I have come; and second, just how far there is to go as we continue down this path of life. One of the best things I have heard along my path is that a better looking body is really a side effect of health. Healthy bodies are what is really attractive, so if you make your goal to be healthy the aesthetics come with! There are always things you can do to make healthy changes easier. Finding your cause, then changing your mental attitude and internal dialogue can  make all the difference in the world.

It is amazing how well I can remember the battles from past years when I was initially struggling with my weight. That defeatist attitude really can make or break your success. It quite simply comes down to this: If you tell yourself you will not be successful, you will not be successful. If you tell yourself you WILL be successful, then you WILL be successful!

Easier said than done, believe me I know. First, we have to contend with the constant temptation and the people around us who have not really realized or discovered their cause, so they don’t understand what you are trying to do. Situations like this are a great opportunity to change your internal dialog! Just remember that these people are dealing with their own battles…so you can just smile and continue munching your apple slices or carrot sticks while they suck down candy bars and soda – because you also know they are increasing their risk for heart disease and diabetes.

For those of you struggling to get started or struggling to keep going, here area few things that have helped me along the way!

• Set Goals and Remember your Cause – Write some things down and then put them somewhere where you will see them every day! I have mine in a sort of collage on bright colored paper tacked to the wall at the top of my stairs. It is a constant reminder of the things I am focused on, long term and short term.
• Clean out the Crap – If it is not in the house, you won’t eat it! I am an all or nothing person. When I made up my mind, I never looked back; I was committed. I cleaned out the cupboards and took food I didn’t want to waste to the local food pantry. Then I restocked with healthier snack options like dried fruits, nuts, jerky, fresh veggies and fruits. (If you are someone needing to take it slower, just remove one thing at a time. ie: start with clearing out all refined sugar and in a couple of weeks, maybe switch your milk to almond milk…)
• Don’t Restrict Yourself, CHOOSE! – Rather than telling yourself you can’t can’t have something; CHOOSE not to eat something you know is harmful and not healthy for your body! Always remember just how poisonous those sugary treats are over time, despite how they may taste for the 5 minutes it takes to eat them. Eat to nourish your body!
• Find Healthier Alternatives – The internet opens up a whole wide world of recipes, so when you are craving that brownie or cookie, just Google a recipe for ones made with almond on coconut flour. I have a rule for myself, when I want a treat or baked good I  have to make it myself.
• Never Stop Learning! – Knowledge is power! The more you read, the more you learn, then the easier it gets to make good decisions about your health. You will also be constantly reminding yourself of things like: just how powerful exercise is, new ways to prepare different foods, and even the science behind it all (if you are interested!) Technology has made it so easy to get knowledge through the internet, eBooks and pod casts.

I hope that some of this helps you, please don’t hesitate to ask questions! We are available via phone and email anytime. Best of health!

Lindsay

About the Author: Eupraxia

My goal when writing is to take confusing or complicated information and make it easy to understand and apply. I have spent the last decade obsessively researching and teaching how to improve performance and longevity. Dr Czys