Do you ever say to yourself "I’ll get healthier when I have more time and motivation to do what I need to do?" The problem is life happens and there never seems to be enough time or motivation.
I’ve found time to be a big issue in my life. But I realize that sometimes I simply do not know what I need to do and when. I eat every day but am I making the best choices? I exercise almost every day but am I doing the right exercises for me?
So, beginning today I am starting a series of easy weekly challenges for healthy eating and physical activity. Please join me in exploring the questions and the kind of simple changes we can make to have an enormous impact on health.
What will be a good choice for one person may not be for another. However, a healthy weight is the basis for better health for everyone and healthy eating and physical activity can provide the way to achieve a healthy weight. Therefore, the first challenges will explore what we might do to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
Challenge #1
Visualize Your Success
Whether your goal is to lose weight or simply maintain, managing weight is a life-long challenge for health and wellness. Getting started can be difficult. What should you do first? Keep it simple. Your first step is to have a clear picture in your mind of what you will achieve.
To begin, imagine a healthier you. You might see yourself as slimmer if you are wanting to lose weight or simply more physically fit with the energy to do the kinds of things that matter such as spend more time with family and friends, pursue creative dreams, or have the time and energy to get involved in meaningful projects.
You might create your image of yourself by finding a picture of a slim, healthy woman of your age and body type. Or you might base your image on a picture of yourself as a younger adult when you were happier with your weight and health. Your intent is not to turn back the clock but to achieve the healthiest self you can for your current age.
Now include as many senses as possible with your image. For example, you might imagine yourself at a new weight in an outfit that makes you feel like a million dollars! In addition, you are in a wonderful place with sights, sounds, and even great aromas that are meaningful for you. It is a beautiful day. You are smiling and maybe feeling the warmth of sunshine on your shoulders.
This is a powerful technique. It can work to influence your subconscious mind and increase your chances for success. However, you must also keep in mind that to be successful you must BELIEVE that you are capable of achieving the transformation that you have imagined and you must have a PLAN for what you need to do. We’ll touch on this more later on. But in the next nine challenges or so, I want you to have a solid understanding of your unique nutritional needs to achieve better health.
This week’s Action Step:
1. Create your mental image.
2. Consider placing an actual image or picture on your refrigerator door or bathroom mirror. You want to reinforce the image as often as possible. (Remember your image(s) must be positive!)
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