In the name of "getting healthier," a lot of people use short-term strategies in an attempt to address their long-term goals. They eat shakes and bars; eliminate entire food groups; weigh, measure, count, and log everything they eat and every step they take; avoid parties, birthday cake, and favorite restaurants; and make numerous other sacrifices that they're willing or able to tolerate for only a short period of time.
The problem is that you can't get here from there
Many of the people we work with have been on just about every diet. Their mentality had been, "I can tolerate anything for a short period of time!" -- until they just couldn't do it anymore. I used to get through my diets that way too. I usually started out feeling motivated and committed, promising myself that I was making a permanent lifestyle change this time. Somewhere along the line I'd slip into thinking, "How long can I stick to this?"
Diets, despite everything you read on the internet (or hear from your doctor), won't get you any closer to health. With each round of restriction, deprivation, joyless eating, cravings, emotional eating, bingeing, and guilt, you are actually moving further from the healthy, balanced, mindful life you crave.
Act as if you are already mindful and healthier
What if, instead of the unsustainable, "I can tolerate anything for a short period of time" approach, you started acting as if you are already the healthier, mindful person you want to be? What would you do?
- Would you skip meals? Would you replace meals with bars or shakes? (Maybe; but only occasionally when you were on the run.)
As it turns out, the moment you "act as if" you are living the healthier life you crave, you are! Don't wait! The way to a mindful, healthy life is through it: one decision, one meal, one bite at a time, one walk at a time. Learn how to eat mindfully and commit to living more vibrantly. Then let health catch up to you.
Michelle May, M.D. is the founder and CEO of Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training and the author of the Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat book series.