Something that I used to say when I would try diets and fall off the wagon was, “I have no willpower”. I thought this was great excuse. I was okay with blaming my lack of control on the invisible impulse in my brain that forced my hand to reach for “another” cookie. It wasn’t me choosing a bigger portion… it was my lack of control making decisions. I felt powerless against the unbelievable strength of this abstract force. How could I ever win against this concealed villain???
One of the main things that I have learned through this program (which has been different than the other attempts I have made to lose weight and failed to keep off), is how to get control of my willpower/mind. Early in my health journey I was watching a Habits of Heath video call and the speaker was sharing how he had trained his mind to resist temptation. He shared that he had found that he would see the temptation, STOP and literally breathe (like 3-4 deep breaths), CHALLENGE himself to remember (or even visualize) his health goal and then CHOOSE the option that would take him closer to his goal.
BUT - the part of this that most resonated with me was when he said he had to practice that process about 20 times before it became an actual habit. WHAT??? The way my mind had worked for nearly 40 years wouldn’t be changed after 1 try? I would have to do this over and over again to see mental change? Boo.
So the next Sunday after church when I walked past the spread of sin on the refreshment table I tried this tool. I STOPPED and stared at the platters of cookies and delicious no-bake peanut butter balls that I love so much. I took 3 deep breaths.
During those breaths:
I remembered my health goal.
I remember how I had lost 25 lbs and that this program works.
I remembered that all week I had been on program and my body was working efficiently in fat burn.
I remembered that I had a growing pile of clothes to donate that were now too big.
I remembered that I can now paint my toenails without losing my breath.
I remembered that I could now sit in our recliner with both mine and my sons rears fitting in the seat… rather than him “on” me.
I remembered that…. 1 peanut butter ball was not worth losing my focus on my goal and I CHOSE to walk away.
I’ll admit, I was kinda lame to not partake in the sugary indulgence.
But I was STILL IN FAT BURN.
So that was a huge win!!! And I went along feeling like a champion and believe it or not, passing on that peanut-butter ball didn’t ruin my day or life.
The next week, as I passed the sin table at church I did this process again.
And the next week I did it again… and again… and again.
We went to parties and I did this process in my mind.
We went to restaurants and when ordering I used this tool.
My evil husband brought chips into the house (my favorite) and I walked my brain through this process.
Learning to think like this was was not an instant change and honestly now 7 months into maintaining my weight loss, I still use this system when faced with temptation. (And sometimes, I chose that yes, I will have a glass of wine or whatever it is… but in moderation and in accordance to maintenance mentality).
I learned during these past holidays that if I throw out this mind tool, my old habits are more than excited to take control and try to convince me that 2 pieces of cake are better than one.
That old mindset is a jerk and a liar.
My old mindset doesn’t like that I feel good and can run and play with my kids without losing my breath.
My old mindset doesn’t like that a generational cycle is changing and my kids are learning to eat healthy.
My old mindset doesn’t like the confidence I now feel when I look in a mirror.
That old mindset is not my friend.
We broke up and I never want to hang out with it again.
I want to encourage you to try to use this tool when faced with temptation. When you get to the 20th time of trying it I betcha you have a new habit of health!
For more information to the practice of STOP, CHALLENGE, CHOOSE you can learn more on pg 241 of Dr. A’s Habit of Health or you can check out his website at this link: http://www.drwayneandersen.com/2012/11/17/exercise-stop-challenge-choose/
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