This tendency can spell death for a goal like weight loss. You have to maintain a measurable level of focus and discipline for an extended amount of time in order to lose weight, and even harder, to keep it off. I'm not sure what that's going to look like for me. It was easy to choose an apple and almonds for breakfast this morning, but what about three weeks from now? What about when I'm in a rush? Or when a bad mood dampens my motivation?
In order to achieve this goal, I'm going to have to separate my eating choices from my circumstances. It's the reason a lot of people need therapy as much as they need a treadmill. I'm not currently in therapy, but plan to use mindfulness techniques to strengthen my will power.
In mindfulness, among other things, you spend time visualizing the ways in which your emotions are separate from you. It's a powerful way to take the edge off negative thought patterns, and a healthy, positive path to self-discipline. Instead of shame and darkness keeping you in a cage of self-deprecation and deprivation, the truth and light of knowing yourself allows you to make brave, good choices.
I've never applied mindfulness methods to weight loss in the past, and if I succeed this time, it will be in big part to this new found way of thinking.
Currently, my favorite mindfulness technique is to stare at trees. Yep, when my mind is spinning I say "STOP" and turn my attention to the nearest thing rustling in the wind. I watch the movement of the branches, the leaves, and after a few moments I start to hear the birds chirping, my neighbor working in his yard--all the things I was blocking out while paying attention to my worries. Are my worries more important or interesting than the wonders of nature? Never.
Food Diary:
Apple, Almonds
Coffee
1 piece pizza, salad
small bag popcorn
cup of tea, 1 piece biscotti
burrito bowl (rice, beans, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, guacamole)
tortilla chips
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