"We dig our graves with our teeth."
- French Proverb
This saying truly evokes a ghastly image, an image of someone diligently constructing a final resting spot - each and every day - with such painstaking effort, with one's teeth, no less!
However, when you stop to think about it, no doubt you can see the truth behind the image in relation to the foods we choose to consume on a day-to-day basis, and how those foods affect our well being. Think of friends and loved ones whose lives were cut short because of food/weight related issues: heart disease, cancers, diabetes; the list goes on and on. The truth is, with each and every spoonful of subpar food we choose to put into our mouths, we are choosing an early grave.
So why do we persist? Some people rationalize eating these deceitfully tasty foods by saying, "I want to enjoy life." "I don't want to feel like I am restricting myself." (As a former overweight person, I too uttered phrases just like that.) However, if we take a step back, we can see the irony of this thinking. Those who are claiming to want their freedom to enjoy unhealthy foods are actually restricting themselves with their eating habits! They could either end up not being able to participate fully in life because of health issues/weight issues, or worse, the lives that they say they love to enjoy may actually be cut short, landing them in early graves (which, I imagine, is very restricting). They actually have LESS time to create precious memories with their children, spouses, grand children, etc., What a sacrifice! What seemingly selfish behavior!
However, I believe most of these "pleasure-seeking" people are not selfish at all. I believe most just get so overwhelmed with the idea of changing, and they just don't know where to begin. Sadly, some don't believe they can be any other way. So, to cope, they make the claim to enjoy that poor lifestyle, knowing full well where it could lead them, knowing full well how it restricts them from participating fully in life.
They need to realize that poor eating is a habit that was developed somewhere in life. Perhaps these unhealthy habits were set up in early childhood - a parent soothing a crying child with a cookie, subconsciously teaching that child to reach for sugar when in comfort is needed. Perhaps the pattern began in college - a student reaching for quick, sugary foods for a quick pick-me-up, not realizing the crash that takes place after the initial jolt...not fully realizing how ingesting sugar makes one crave more. A pattern of behavior, that is all it is. It is not a destiny.
Given this, how does one begin to break these patterns? Simple. We change by making one healthy decision at a time - over and over - that is how. Instead of making an entire over-haul, try consistently replacing ONE unhealthy food item with something healthy. You can start with your beverage of choice. Instead of reaching for that sugar-laden soft drink or frappe, replace it with a nice, cool glass of water with an added zip of fresh, zesty lemon. That is it. Doable, huh? The following week..or two (it is your call), replace another item...and so on. Feeling a bit more confident in yourself? Try replacing ONE unhealthy meal for a healthier option. Enjoy that for awhile, then move on to another meal. Eventually, become more mindful of the snacks you choose, and choose healthier options.
Start small; it is okay - there is no time constraints. There is no right way to do it. The important thing is to start making changes instead of making excuses. Before long, you will have walked away from that pattern of eating unhealthy foods. You can stop digging your grave with your teeth, turn your face to the bright, warm sun, and start enjoying a long, happy, fulfilling life.
Of course, for added help with making these healthy choices, give hypnosis a try. If you truly have the desire to change, you will see just how beneficial it can be to break unhealthy patterns and start new ones. =)
- French Proverb
This saying truly evokes a ghastly image, an image of someone diligently constructing a final resting spot - each and every day - with such painstaking effort, with one's teeth, no less!
However, when you stop to think about it, no doubt you can see the truth behind the image in relation to the foods we choose to consume on a day-to-day basis, and how those foods affect our well being. Think of friends and loved ones whose lives were cut short because of food/weight related issues: heart disease, cancers, diabetes; the list goes on and on. The truth is, with each and every spoonful of subpar food we choose to put into our mouths, we are choosing an early grave.
So why do we persist? Some people rationalize eating these deceitfully tasty foods by saying, "I want to enjoy life." "I don't want to feel like I am restricting myself." (As a former overweight person, I too uttered phrases just like that.) However, if we take a step back, we can see the irony of this thinking. Those who are claiming to want their freedom to enjoy unhealthy foods are actually restricting themselves with their eating habits! They could either end up not being able to participate fully in life because of health issues/weight issues, or worse, the lives that they say they love to enjoy may actually be cut short, landing them in early graves (which, I imagine, is very restricting). They actually have LESS time to create precious memories with their children, spouses, grand children, etc., What a sacrifice! What seemingly selfish behavior!
However, I believe most of these "pleasure-seeking" people are not selfish at all. I believe most just get so overwhelmed with the idea of changing, and they just don't know where to begin. Sadly, some don't believe they can be any other way. So, to cope, they make the claim to enjoy that poor lifestyle, knowing full well where it could lead them, knowing full well how it restricts them from participating fully in life.
They need to realize that poor eating is a habit that was developed somewhere in life. Perhaps these unhealthy habits were set up in early childhood - a parent soothing a crying child with a cookie, subconsciously teaching that child to reach for sugar when in comfort is needed. Perhaps the pattern began in college - a student reaching for quick, sugary foods for a quick pick-me-up, not realizing the crash that takes place after the initial jolt...not fully realizing how ingesting sugar makes one crave more. A pattern of behavior, that is all it is. It is not a destiny.
Given this, how does one begin to break these patterns? Simple. We change by making one healthy decision at a time - over and over - that is how. Instead of making an entire over-haul, try consistently replacing ONE unhealthy food item with something healthy. You can start with your beverage of choice. Instead of reaching for that sugar-laden soft drink or frappe, replace it with a nice, cool glass of water with an added zip of fresh, zesty lemon. That is it. Doable, huh? The following week..or two (it is your call), replace another item...and so on. Feeling a bit more confident in yourself? Try replacing ONE unhealthy meal for a healthier option. Enjoy that for awhile, then move on to another meal. Eventually, become more mindful of the snacks you choose, and choose healthier options.
Start small; it is okay - there is no time constraints. There is no right way to do it. The important thing is to start making changes instead of making excuses. Before long, you will have walked away from that pattern of eating unhealthy foods. You can stop digging your grave with your teeth, turn your face to the bright, warm sun, and start enjoying a long, happy, fulfilling life.
Of course, for added help with making these healthy choices, give hypnosis a try. If you truly have the desire to change, you will see just how beneficial it can be to break unhealthy patterns and start new ones. =)
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