Happier Healthier You

Have you had that chat with your GP yet? Did they say words like "lose weight" and "fast"? Well, I'm in this with you! You're not alone!

The GP said those words, and more, to me today. It was a l-o-n-g consult! I drifted off when he started talking about cardiovascular risk, because I lose interest when somebody speaks to me in lists. And let's face it, there are heaps of cardiovascular risks, especially when we're overweight or obese.

I can't say that I like hearing that word, "obese", but there is a flipside to how we see ourselves. Some of us see ourselves as obese when we aren't, while others remember a time when they struggled with their weight and are now desperate to keep it off - at any cost. Either way, there's danger in going to extremes.

I am a big fan of "swapping". You find the unhealthy habit, and you swap it out for something that's more healthful - and more empowering.

It means that self-control doesn't have to be unpleasant. In fact, if you really think about what you're doing versus what you could be doing, you could discover something that you could be doing that's much more fun than what you're currently doing. Whoa, take a breath, MC!

"You mean I could be having more fun while exercising self-restraint??"

Exactly!

If you did the activity in the last blog post, "Beat Bad Habits", you will have made a great start on this swapping gig. For example, my new GP told me today, to stop eating from 6pm each night. Last week, he said to give my poor pancreas a rest, so I tried stopping at 8pm, with the words, "Not now, my pancreas is resting" and a hand held up in the "stop" position. It was hard enough to stop at 8, but it was a good start.

Sure, I fell off the wagon when a friend popped in for a spontaneous visit, and the day before when I got some disappointing news. But I got back into it again. Failure is a sign of giving it a go. The more you give something a go, the better you get at doing it. Just like applying for jobs! Just keep at it, and one day you'll succeed without it feeling like you've tried at all.

One of the things that is helping me, is my list of "distractions". They're actually the things I can do, instead of snacking out of boredom. They can be quite absorbing.

Just compare: chatting with a friend versus eating for no good reason.

What about enjoying a leisurely pedicure versus eating for no good reason?

I have a list, and have tried a few things, and they have all been at least as pleasurable as snacking.

So, why not keep at it?

The simple answer is - it's not yet a habit. It needs practice and positive reinforcement. You need to swap in fun activities that you will enjoy (that's why my list would be useless to you, but here's a peak; the last three items are books I'm writing).

So the activities are also their own positive reinforcement, because they are things that you enjoy. You have positively got to be a hedonist about this!! But they still need to be healthful activities .... As you can see from my own mini-list, I can do things which are good for my body and mind, and even spiritually. You know, I even have some musical shakers that I shake whenever I see them. They energise me and occupy my hands!

So, it's time for you to make your own list. My list consists of distractions that I can do while watching TV at night. I suppose I could write my books while going for a walk, if I dictate into Otter or something similar. But I can do other things while walking - like listen to music (or the birds and frogs). I could meditate or sing in the bush.

What do you want to do? You might want to plan your very own Schmingle!

Another thing that is helping me, is figuring out what I'll eat throughout the day, according to my calorie intake limit, and factoring in the "distraction" activity as though it's my evening snack. Worth a try! I'd love to know how you go, and how I can help you (I'm a coach, in case you didn't know!).

Just ask yourself, "Do I want every aspect of my life to be a 10/10?" Well, it's never too late (unless my diary is full).

All you need to do, to book in for your first coaching session, is choose!

You probably know at least 3-4 people, who have come to mind while you've read this post. Why not buy them a gift certificate? It doesn't matter where they are, because coaching can be delivered over the phone jsut as well as in person (possibly even better over the phone). And there's the absolutely fantastic 8-Week Breakthrough Results Program, if you are really committed to living your most authentic life.

Now, maybe you need some other tools - such as books, meditations, meditation school, a tarot and oracle card reading, or to consider what kinds of strategies you need in your life (Ahem. I am Certified Results Coach, and you can book a free strategy session over the phone, anywhere in the world).

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