The word “diet” often creates a little storm within us, a feeling of dread, frustration, or restriction. We think of limiting ourselves as a chore, rather than as a self-empowering lifestyle choice. Like clockwork, we set ambitious goals for ourselves, take a few steps in the right direction, and then in a moment of weakness, we indulge (or overindulge). After a few minutes or days or months of giving in, we come to reconnect with our more passionate selves, and we clearly see the original goal again. Too often, we become downtrodden by small dietary missteps, even though we’ve been making great strides in the right directions.
It’s tremendously important that we learn how to deprogram habitual negative self-judgment and strive to develop body-positive thoughts as a most reliable ingredient for enhancing health. The important breakthroughs we make regarding health originate in our own minds, in the language we use toward ourselves, and in the approach we take to learning about nutrition and exercise.
Overall personal health is not only demonstrated by pleasure in moments, and not only by the ability to rise to an occasion; it’s a persistent state of being filled with energy and vitality, and actively engaging in habits that support and sustain longevity and peace. Our thoughts are the field of potential from which our actions spring, and by changing our thoughts our behaviors tend to follow. If we develop a mindset that celebrates and promotes action, energy, and movement, we can opt-out of the sorrowful emotions another failed diet can generate.
