big picture goals to improve nutrition outcomes
It isn’t always easy finding ways to stay healthy. Many people find it either a daunting prospect or aren’t sure where to start so they never do. Others feel that they don’t want or need to change their habits. One of the reasons that people tend to resist change is because they don’t have confidence in their ability to change.
There is fear associated with change, especially big lifestyle changes. Being healthy is indeed a lifestyle choice, but it’s a lot more manageable than one may realize. Another way to see health is by recognizing it for what it is, a life that is neither restrictive nor overwhelming. Rather than thinking in terms of discipline or restriction, think of the big picture.
The big picture of health has more to do with finding balance than it does with restrictions. We all have things we enjoy other than celery, and that’s okay. Denying yourself something that you enjoy only makes you want it more. How long do you anticipate you’re going to be able to give up chocolate?! Is a life with no chocolate the one you really want to be living…? By focusing on more than just weight as a metric for success, you may consider setting other goals that make you much less sad and more eager to get started.
Is focusing on weight taking away from the big picture of health? Before you attempt a new routine ask yourself why you started. What is motivating you? Where can you find motivation if you don’t have any yet? Be sure the motivating factor is something that is specific to you and your life. This can be prolonging your life to spend more time with your children or grandchildren. It can be to ensure you are able to stay ambulatory later in life. Chances are, you want to get into shape to be healthy, which does not necessarily include having a supermodel physique.
Consider making goals that emphasize what will enhance your life and not take away from it. Now, true, if weight loss is a goal, this will mean cutting back on caloric intake, however it doesn’t have to be the focus. I always like to remind people that it is easier to focus on what you “should” have and not what you “shouldn’t”. Think about all of the new recipes you will be able to try. Imagine how fun it can be to discover a new food each week. Try to make this a fun, gradual process. If you are trying to cut back on salt, make a list of healthy salt substitutes, then make a plan for incorporating those into your diet.
Lastly, don’t feel like you have to change everything at once. Set small realistic goals weekly. If you didn’t meet last week’s goal, adjust it and try again. Depending on your age and social history there could be many years of habits that you want to change and it probably isn’t happening all at once. Remember you are human, and for most of us, that means you will have issues to work through. Take it one day at a time and don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go well the first time.
Some tips to get you started with new health goals: 1) Set SMART goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based. 2) Plan ahead. Know what it is you want to do and be sure you have the tools and resources available to do it, such as all the ingredients for a new recipe. 3) Don’t give up. Overindulging one day doesn’t mean you have lost. Overindulging at one meal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the whole day, either.
