Let’s Upgrade Our Talk About Lifestyle Changes
Some days I look for inspiration for these posts and other days ideas are giving to me from my people. I owe a debt of gratitude to my dear friend and WomenHeart sister Annie, so thanks Annie for sharing the inspiration for this post.
Often when we embark on a weight loss or healthy living journey we might be hesitant because of what we will be losing, whether it’s access to whatever our favorite food is, the alcohol we may be over-consuming or whatever we have decided no longer serves our highest good. My friend Annie shared this podcast with me today that suggests there may be a better approach we can take to be more successful.
Changing your lifestyle or habits or other aspects of how you identify yourself can be a little frightening. Several years ago, because of some significant health problems I’ve discussed in earlier posts, I dramatically changed the way I eat, stopped drinking alcohol and coffee and completely overhauled my lifestyle. It did, and still does, make some people uncomfortable to eat and drink around me. I do not judge their choices nor do I comment on them. Sometimes they’ll ask my opinion, which I will give as gently as I am able, if the choices they’re making are not in their best interest. Caveat here…this rule does not apply to my kids. They still get to hear my opinion whether they request it or not.
I don’t let other people’s discomfort dissuade me from taking care of myself. If they’re uncomfortable around me because I make healthy food choices, ask for what I need in a restaurant, and choose not to drink alcohol, that’s their issue and I won’t make it mine. If you think that’s selfish, I would suggest that it’s self-care, which everyone should be practicing every day.
Back to the upgrade…let’s not tell ourselves that we are going to live a life of deprivation. Rather, the podcaster suggests we make the choice to not partake in a particular behavior or eat a certain food any longer because we’ve had enough for a lifetime. That behavior, food, habit or whatever it is, served its purpose in our life but we no longer need it to be there. We’ve moved on. That part of our life is complete, the chapter is over and we’re on to the next part of the book or even the next book.
I recommend listening to the podcast or reading the written transcript posted under the audio. It’s a great approach to making the shift in your life to making different choices. If you look at lifestyle improvements for what you gain rather than what you need to give up, you may be happier and more successful with the changes. Give it a try…you have nothing to lose and your good health to gain.
As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.