1. How Do You Stick to Eating Healthy?
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1. How Do You Stick to Eating Healthy?
Today one of my clients asked me, "Have you always eaten healthy?" I was actually surprised by the question at first. I don't know why, I guess I just assume that people know that I have not always eaten the way I do now.
The answer to the question is actually yes and no. I have always liked healthy foods: vegetables, fruit, oatmeal. I wasn't one of those kids that had to be forced to eat her vegetables. As long as I didn't have to eat fruit in my jello, I was happy.
But When I Grew Up, I Ate Too Much
The problem was that I always wanted to eat. Not when I was a kid, but after I graduated from high school. I remember being very excited that I could make pancakes for dinner because I lived alone and I could do whatever I wanted. Food became a part of fun and excitement. Whenever there was a party or get together--there was food. Whenever there was an event that didn't include food--we went out for food afterwards. If there wasn't a party or event--we filled in the space by going out to eat. And when I was alone, or stressed, or bored, somehow I related that to hunger... or "feeling snacky." So I ate.
I gained about twenty pounds after high school. And though I tried dieting and exercise routines many times, I never stuck to them. Laziness or temptation always got in the way. And it usually didn't take long for me to give up.
I'll Start Tomorrow
After I began a diet, after a week or so, somehow I would change my mind and start to think that I really didn't need to be on a diet. I would begin to believe that I really didn't need to lose weight, or I would say that "tomorrow" would be the day that I would REALLY start dieting.
I can't tell you how many times I said, "Tomorrow."
I know you guys who are reading this can relate to that.
It's not easy.
It wasn't until I made a total change in my life that made a difference, a change that meant that I would have to start trusting myself and taking risks on myself. I had to stop depending on everyone else's opinions and advice and decide to make my own desires and opinions valuable. It also meant that I had to be okay with it if someone didn't like my choices. When we want to lose weight or eat healthier and we are having a hard time sticking to it, often one or more of these things are certainly coming into play.
Making A Change
This all came along with making a plan to leave my career and follow a deeper passion in my life, but it also meant that I had to own that I did not feel happy and comfortable with my body. It meant that I had to recognize and take responsibility for that. No one else could fix it for me. Even if my friends loved me and thought I was beautiful just the way I was, that wasn't enough because I had to love me. I had to think I was beautiful. I finally came to a place where I decided that it wasn't worth going through life looking in the mirror and knowing that I was not living out my potential, knowing that my weight was keeping me from expressing myself the way I wanted to express myself.
So that day I made a change. I learned about calories and how they affected weight and weight loss. I structured a plan to lose weight healthfully and stuck to it. I stuck to it all the way to the end. And I lost 25 lbs.
I don't eat for boredom or loneliness anymore. I value the ability to live and move freely in my body. I value looking at myself in the mirror and feeling proud because I know that I'm not short changing myself.
An Overhaul
Sometimes losing weight comes with a lifestyle or life purpose overhaul. It means taking risks. It means trusting yourself. It means giving value to your desires - not just with your weight, but with your life. Maybe it's in art, relationships, career, or simply speaking your mind. Maybe it's all of those things.
It's fall, and it's time to get serious. I encourage you not to wait any longer. Figure out what you want and go after it. Time is going to keep moving whether you do or not. Don't let time pass you by! Investing in yourself is worth it.
My private coaching sessions are designed to empower you to make more choices in line with your goals and desires in life: Relationships, Career, Self-Esteem, Weight Loss, etc. Contact me with any questions: melissa@myheartdances.com or 917-689-6530
My professional women's group has space available. October meetings start this Wednesday. See info below for more information.
Melissa
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™ was developed to support individuals in living from their heart and going after what they want in life. Our mission is to support you in deciding to be honest with yourself and be honest with others so you can face your fears and go after your dreams to "let your heart dance!"