Between your ears. Seriously, you can never change your behavior if you do not change the way you think. I spent a lot of years trying to change things around me without changing the way I thought. It got me exactly nowhere. But when I began to change the way I thought about the things around me…and within me…things began to change. One of the questions I have often asked myself is, “what will happen if I do not make a change?” In the case of poor eating, inactivity, and uncontrolled stress, the chances are high that it will lead to chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and possibly cancer. I don’t want to take that chance. I want to avoid them at all cost. What about you?
As you consider making changes to move yourself toward a healthier lifestyle, consider what changes you need to make in how you think. Here are a few comments I hear that create barriers for people, along with ways to rephrase the thoughts:
- I don’t have time to cook healthy meals.
- I can start with a list of five healthy, easy to make meals that only take 20 minutes to prepare. (Cooking Light is a great resource for this!)
- Healthy eating costs too much.
- Buying healthy food is affordable when I plan ahead, buy in season and on sale, and don’t waste the food I buy. It’s an investment in my health.
- I’m confused by all of the changing and conflicting advice – everything I thought was good for me is bad. It’s so frustrating that I just don’t do anything.
- Nutrition science is changing and guidelines change with them. I will seek out a credible (RDN) expert in nutrition to help me sort through the facts about what applies to me. (Click here to find an expert in your area. Or Contact me!)
No one has time. No one has unlimited amounts of money. No one has all the answers. Yet, with planning and proper guidance, we can all find ways to lean into a healthy lifestyle. You can do it.
