by Jason Pulido…
Sometimes life is really tough. Things can spin out of control, or feel like they are beyond our ability to handle them. When it comes to how we treat our bodies, however, that is in our control. I can speak from experience, in that sometimes when I’ve had increased stresses in my life, I haven’t made the best choices for my body, and in turn that affects the rest of my being.
Not exercising feels easy. Making poor food decisions, or any other decision that is detrimental to your self, can feel comforting at the time. But at some point, your body knows the difference, and knows it’s not good. At some point, you know you have to stop doing what’s easy and start doing what’s best. Turning the tide of our habits is one of the hardest things that we do as a human. Continuing down the same pathways, neurologically, is easier because those neural pathways are well worn. But it’s not better for your well-being.
So how do we deal with the twin pressures of stress and bad habits? Set small micro-goals of change and achieve them first. Don’t say: “I want to lose 30 lbs. in two weeks!” Instead, begin with looking at your habits. For example, if you are eating dessert often (like I may accidentally-on-purpose do when I’m making poor decisions), choose to not have dessert TODAY. Commit to today and achieve it. You will feel good, and you can build on that feeling. If you aren’t moving or exercising consistently, choose to walk a mile or go to the gym and move your body, or hit your favorite class…just for today. That’s an achievement.
On the next day, make the same promise, and achieve it again. Soon your habits–i.e. the same neurological response that was working against you–will actually be working in your favor. It will be much easier to resist the foods that you had a hard time pulling yourself away from, and it will be much easier to keep working out, because you already are in the habit of doing so. It all starts with that first micro-goal. Do it today!
