Changing behaviors for the New Year

Every year at this time I am asked about what resolutions I intend to make for the new year.

I, like many of you, have promised myself that I “Must” change certain behaviors that are not indigenous to a happy, healthy life many times over the years. Unfortunately the word “must” imposes a boot camp mentality that feels like a forced march.

Changing our behavior is one of the hardest things we can choose to do. Our patterns are so ingrained that it takes a jackhammer to loosen them. Personal transformation isn’t concrete; rather, it’s a culmination of many smaller changes. You didn’t gain weight , become unfit, or get stressed out overnight. You did it over a period of time. Take that into consideration, and try to reverse the process in the same way you created the problem.

The 21st century has produced a plethora of marketing tools that promise the consumer fast and easy ways to change behaviors, and a lot of people have bought into it. But in order to have lasting results,” slow and easy” wins the race. One of the wisest ways to transition from where you are to where you want to be is to do it in baby steps. Every small step you take towards becoming healthier and more fit is one that leads you towards your goal. When you follow this mind-set, you’ll have a much greater chance of reaching your goals.

Here are five benefits to taking baby steps:

1. Make gradual changes to allow your underlying beliefs to shift with you. Remember everyone lives with thinking models that oppose one another. I call it “twisted Sister and the Fairy Godmother.” Your fairy godmother wants the best for you, but your twisted sister is always there to give you a good dose of fear and reasons why you shouldn’t rock the boat. But every small action you take encourages you to become stronger.

2. Take small steps to give the people around you a chance to adjust.

3. Don’t say too much about what your plans are for change. You don’t want people saying, “Oh I’ve heard that before”.

4. Make it a game. Becoming healthy and happy doesn’t have to become an internal war. Try to make it fun.

5. Don’t focus on past failures and what might not happen. It only creates more of the same. Write down what you want and how it will manifest a better life; see it in your mind’s eye; and practice, practice, practice. Eventually your behavior will catch up.
Most importantly enjoy the process.

Buyer Beware:If it’s too good to be true, leave it on the shelf.

Last week I read an article in the newspaper that made me strut around the house yelling “ AT LAST”!
What brought me to such a euphoric state? Well it wasn’t the discovery of a drug for woman comparable to Viagra, but rather an announcement that the FDA made that they were going to take a far more aggressive role over deceptive ad practices.
One of their first targets is the worlds’ biggest yogurt maker Dannon, who agreed to pay a $21million fine and stop making exaggerated health claims for two popular Dannon products. Marion Nestle, a New York University nutritionist stated that “The claims aren’t about health, they’re about marketing”. DUH! I’ve been ranting about how absurd the notion that a food product has been developed with so many magical health properties for years.
Activia is supposed to cure “irregularity” which is the latest problem that seems to effect a great majority of Americans. It used to be called constipation, but I guess that’s too harsh a word. When did this start and why are so many afflicted with this problem, and why do they have to buy a specific product for their situation?
Well it sells because it contains probiotics, a beneficial bacteria for the colon, but so do most yogurts. It also contains 19 grams of sugar which means it has it has over four teaspoons in a four ounce container. Aren’t we supposed to be more aware of sugar content? So now you become regular but you get diabetes? Makes sense to me.
What about beans? Lots of fiber and cheap. I just got five 15 ounce cans for 4 dollars. We all know about the power of the bean, yet there are no cutesy commercials touting their benefits with a movie star as a spokesperson sharing the great outcome they got from eating beans. There’s not even an animated bean dressed in spandex jeans circling around a group of constipated adults sharing the latest research on beans and their benefits.
Do you think lifestyle might have an impact on irregularity, like lack of exercise, very little sleep and too much stress? When you’re stressed out your intestines suffer big time. It’s hard to get anything to pass through.
Aside from the above, the most important message we should take away from the latest food fiasco is “buyer beware”. If it’s too good to be true, leave it on the shelf.