Happy Motivation Monday!
When my new clients start changing their eating patterns and including more healthful foods, I often hear something like “so, you mean I can never have my nightly Snickers bar anymore?”
I know right then that the client is thinking in terms of restriction, not in terms of choices. First of all, I never tell people what they can and can’t eat. Every person makes that decision for themselves, and I provide information that can help people make their own choices.
Second of all, it is just that – a choice!! When you start a healthy eating program, your thoughts should not be about restriction, but rather about the choices you make that will make you feel your best. Reframing from “I can’t have my Snickers” to “I choose to have an apple because I know I’ll feel better in the morning” can be empowering and feel less burdensome. Saying “I choose to get the salad with salmon, which will take me closer to my health goals” is far more uplifting than “I can’t get the fried chicken, so I guess the only option is the salad.” Right?
Of course, the word “choice” implies that we have more than one option, and sometimes we’ll make the choice that doesn’t support our health. And that’s OK, too! Choosing the fried chicken on occasion doesn’t make you a bad person, and should lead to any guilt. You didn’t “break the rules,” you simply made a choice that you wanted to enjoy the fried chicken, even though you knew the salmon salad would make you feel a bit better. The best thing you can do is enjoy that choice, savor every bite, and get back to choosing healthful options the next meal! And if the majority of choices are healthy choices, you’re on the right track. Isn’t that empowering?
Now it’s your turn … What choice will you make for your health today?
Thinking positively is huge when it comes to making the right choices. This is a great lesson. And love the sad little snickers bar=)
Great post Megan! It really gets back to the mantra I have tagged ‘intentional eating’ – eat what you choose, but OWN what you put into your body.
It goes back to what I see with people everyday – mindless consumption: at desks, in cars, wherever … people just grab handfuls of stuff when they are hungry and eat without considering what it is they’re putting into their mouth.
So this weekend Lisa and I were at TGIFridays because we were out running errands and needed to pick up Chris from work, and we got a salad an tried a new appetizer … “French Onion Dumpling”. I was unsure but Lisa wanted to try … so we did. One bite was all I needed to know … these tasted heavily of being deep fried, too much cheese and other stuff – calorie bombs! I didn’t have any more … Lisa had a couple, but we didn’t finish half the plate and took the rest home.
But it wasn’t the loads of calories and fat – it was that after one taste I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to put into my body. And THAT is what matters! Eat what you want – but control portions and OWN what you eat.
I love this story about the French Onion Dumpling … isn’t it amazing that you would have just inhaled that kind of thing before, and now you KNOW it’s not going to make you feel great? Way to go!
Great “re-direction” thought for a Monday morning – making choices rather than restrictions.
I like it. I think I’ll choose a mushroom, spinach, tomato egg white omelet this morning, before I play Pickleball. I’m struggling with getting back on track after a series of fun vacations, but I want to feel better, so I know what I have to do. Thanks for the motivation, Megan. 🙂
I’m proud of you for sticking to your healthy lifestyle despite all your travel!!!