​Health Inspires

“Talking about nutrition is like talking about religion or politics! We are all in a different place in what we know and believe.” This is my lead in for nearly every health focused presentation, and in my book and promo video. And because this is my line of work, it is people’s stories and beliefs around nutrition and diet that intrigue me. I have heard these words in the last week:

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• I have these electrolytes for my kids and I make them drink it before their games. It doesn’t have all that stuff that Gatorade has. (My thought: What does “make” them look like?)
• This is what I put in my water because I can’t eat six beets and beets are good for your heart. (My thought: You don’t have to eat six beets! This packet is processed granules (of beets?))
• It’s so easy to order food now online these days. (My (light bulb) thought: For many of us this is a convenience, but for many others, this convenience adds to the weight loss struggle.)
• If I buy a box of ice cream bars, it would be OK—if I would eat just one, but I might eat more or I might eat all of them. It depends. (Sugar and fat triggers overeating. We wouldn’t do this with salmon and broccoli. “Change the way you look at weight loss so your weight loss story will change.”- Health Inspires™)
• I have a lap band and it doesn’t work. My surgeon is encouraging me to consider gastric bypass (Ugh. Cutting your stomach? It is not for everyone and I am not saying it isn’t for some. I talk about this from an industry, scientific, mental/emotional wellness, and financial perspective in my book.)

 
Over the past year, I have heard everything from, “I am not eating any sugar at all”, “I am not eating any bread”, “I am on a cleanse”, “I am gluten-free” and on down the line. Even in a world that is moving away from “dieting” (yea!!!), “diets” are still haunting us and the mental game of weight loss ensues. All or nothing approaches are not sustainable. They may work for a while, but you know that life will always throw you a curve. Ready to stop spending time and energy getting your brain wrapped around all or nothing diet approaches once and for all?
 
First things first. Decide what you are willing to change and start with that. I can’t tell you what that is, but you know.
 
Let’s brainstorm: Is it to go for a walk before or after work? Bring and apple for a snack instead of going to the snack bar? Drink 2 extra cups of water each day? Is it cognitive goals that you use to reframe every negative thought with a positive one? Less sugar in your coffee, more movement in your day, kinder words to others…Now—you add a few that you are willing to do.
 
Secondly, write down what you are willing to do in a S.M.A.R.T. goal format That is—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound.
 
Third, start a consistent ritual around what you are willing to do, and stick to your plan with strategies in place to overcome inevitable obstacles.
 
For example, if your S.M.A.R.T. goal is to walk with your friend after work on Mondays and Wednesdays and you must work late or kid duty calls on Wednesday, then what will you do? Your strategy could be to reschedule with your friend for Thursday, or if that doesn’t work, you walk solo Wednesday later that evening or you go Thursday solo or find another friend to walk with. It is a present moment—plan for the future game. The game is not all or nothing. It is not thinking, “Oh well, I guess I have to wait until next Monday to walk.” A healthier way to think, is “I can walk later tonight,” or “I will wake up earlier and walk in the morning, “or “I will go tomorrow after work.”
 
Kathryn Scoblick
​Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Author of Health Inspires™: Your Way to Sustainable Weight Loss
On Amazon
 
Health Inspires.
www.healthinspires.com

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