We are overloaded with media snippets and articles that shout the issue of obesity into the loudspeaker. This might seem overwhelming, but it is only a reflection of the intensity of the issue, considering the multitude of side effects of being overweight. Everyone is talking about good diet and physical exercise being the perfect combination to lose weight and gain a healthy long life.
It’s common knowledge, that dieting could be easy to consider but maintaining a healthy regime is a Herculean task. The initial enthusiasm soon cracks down due to the long-earned ‘inertia’ brought in by years of living off tantalizing junk food. Thus, we soon give up on this as a bad idea, continue to accept our inability and get back to our beloved French fries and extra cheese burgers.
That ‘emotional baggage’ of switching over to a healthy diet is common. Just as it’s difficult to learn a new language and to start thinking in that language, in a short time, diet control also takes its own time, and of course, some perseverance. This much-needed emotional self control is what we shall focus on, now.
All dieters fear the one C-word like no other – cravings. We all know that we need to control them, but we just can’t! There lies the problem. The solution is based on telling yourself to face the truth. First, you need to lose weight, not merely to look good, slim and sleek, but to lead a long, healthy and happy life. Secondly, thanks to your previous diet orientation, it is a difficult task to switch over, all of a sudden. So be nice to yourself – accept your weaknesses, but only while you also tell yourself that you will get rid of this very vulnerability, for your own good. Then, look for ways that will make you feel better, help you see yourself in better shape. Here again, tell yourself what the new variety of healthy food, though not as delicious as cheese, can do to you.
When it gets too hard, even after directing your thoughts towards the results, stop the strain and treat yourself – but this time, with a promenade by the park, a good movie that will make you laugh, a roller coaster ride or a chat with friends about how they are doing in life. This will relieve the stress you have accumulated due to too much worry over your diet. Now, get back to the plan and see what the wonders of a cool mind can do!
So it’s all about listening to your body and mind, and talking back to them. Over a week or so, you’ll even start appreciating feel-good-factor of the green leafy veggies in contrast to the sluggishness from the heavy fatty foodstuff. This is when there’s no looking back and up the hill of good health. Think better, eat healthy.