Exploring Wellness for Body, Mind and Self: Resolve - Create an Intention by Intuition
From Anne Meneghetti, MD, 3/12/2010 7:53:39 AM
We’ve heard a lot lately about things that are “too big to fail.” When it comes to making lifestyle changes, it’s great to think about changes that are “too small to fail.” Sometimes, a tiny change in habits is all it takes to make a big improvement in health. If a change is small enough, as long as you remember to do it, you can’t fail at it.
My most successful and long-lasting health improvements have all started small. Late last year, I found it hard to squeeze into my clothes. I traced the problem to 3 things I tend to overeat: sugar, wheat, potatoes. While these foods can certainly be part of a healthy diet, I tend to eat excessive amounts of them just for sport. Potato chips, mashed potatoes, pasta, buttered bread, sweets – I will keep eating these until I get to the bottom of the bowl, box or bag. However, I found other kinds of carbohydrates - like sweet potatoes, rice, barley, or corn - easy to eat in moderation. I decided to explore more variety in my diet, and avoid the things that don’t seem to work for me – at least for a time. The shift was hard, especially around the holidays, yet I am increasingly happy with the results.
We can all be detectives exploring our own lives, using the logical mind or even intuition to identify one small change that will most improve personal health. Mentally review your current life: waking up, daily routines, eating, activity, interactions, sleep, for weekdays and weekends. Ask yourself, “If I were to change one small thing – adding something or subtracting something – which change would make the biggest difference in my health?” The answer may surprise you. If no answer arises, set the issue aside, and let your intuition go to work. At some point in the future, the answer may come spontaneously. Here are some small changes that have worked for me:
- Leave at least one bite on the plate
- Stop eating after a specific time in the evening
- Skip the one or two foods that you overeat
- Chew each bite 32 times (or until completely smooth)
- Brown bag lunch one day a week
- Lunch on light soups or fresh juices one day a week
- Limit carbohydrate portions to the size of a fist
- Cook at home one night a week more often- Be in bed by 10 PM – a well-rested mind makes better decisions
- Walk a block after dinner
- Avoid circumstances that derail progress.
Read more at Fitness for Real Life - Big Excuses, Small Commitments
Best wishes,
Dr. Anne
This information is purely educational and does not replace a physician's advice that may be unique to each individual. For all medical concerns, please see a physician to establish a diagnosis and explore proven treatments. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company or REAL Powered by Humana program.