FINDING YOUR PATH

Something that I see often online and have done many times myself is the advice to find the right way of eating for yourself.

Now this comes from a good place for sure. Jumping from program to program because you have seen examples of the success for others is a strong temptation. Often we have been searching for the right answer for so long that the shiny and new options are hard to ignore.

The missing piece in these good intentions is usually direction. You can be told repeatedly to find your path but how do you even approach doing that in a way that will lead to success instead of another dead end? Today I want to offer you some advice on how to conduct that journey of exploration in a way that will bring results and not just more questions.

Be honest with yourself!

Start at the beginning with yourself. Honestly give thought to the ways of eating you have come across, like keto, paleo, etc. and look at what they consist of in action. Food choices, tracking methods, and more all come in to play when you want to find something sustainable for you. For example, if you’re thinking about carnivore but aren’t a fan of meat, or know that removing all produce will be too much then you want to be honest about your chances for success. Think about your day to day life and what challenges and advantages different programs offer to you. Don’t just get excited by the programs you see others using and hitting their goals. Do your research about the details! And yes, this can be somewhere you have a long hard talk with yourself about the things are and are not willing to restrict.

Make your pick!

After that first step you should have in your possession a pretty well vetted list of your options. Be sure you feel like you do before you start narrowing down your choice. Understand as well that where you start may not be where you end up and that is completely normal. The important piece here is actually making a decision. Too often we let paralysis by analysis take over and end up spinning our wheels. Do not put so much pressure on yourself when deciding your starting point because as you will see as you keep reading, it is possible to be flexible and adapt to your personal experience. So pick a program to begin and feel secure that you are being mindful in its implementation. This process is about finding your path, not just any path, so this first choice may not be the one that is right for you, be ok with that. But don’t also start something you already know you don’t want to commit to wholeheartedly. This is hard work, don’t forget that.

Strap on your tool belt!

At this point you have selected your program, and are probably anxious to get started! Take a beat and define the tools you need handy to meet your needs on a new way of eating. This can include a refreshed and cleared out kitchen/pantry/fridge, accountability support in person and online, physical tools like scales, measuring cups/spoons, food containers, etc., and more. Powerful tools for success can also include a journaling plan, strategies for eating out or at social events, and even new recipes that fit your plan. Arm yourself for the trip you are embarking on!

Be willing to take time!

By this point we all know not to expect overnight results from any lifestyle changes we make but also note that we cannot properly determine the success of our new changes in a week or even two. My advice is to give your new program at least 30 days, if not 90, to give yourself an opportunity to have real experience with it. The first week on a new program is when we ride a wave of motivation. There may be some kinks to work out but overall we are excited and still perceive it as smooth sailing. It is the second and third week that we have our feet on the ground running the actual race. We are beginning to feel the push back and see the obstacles. And we’re navigating them! By the fourth week a rhythm starts to develop so we can see how this program is impacting our goals and our day to day lives. Giving yourself time is also about allowing for the curveballs life will throw at us so you can assess how your plan fits into those moments.

Plan to assess!

This is a big one! Assessment will go way beyond the scale. Yes, if weight loss is a priority and it certainly can be, the scale after 30 days will be a big metric but there are others to consider like your overall stress level, your compliance to the program, how your feeling physically, and how well you have been integrating new habits into your day to day life. Honestly, you are the one who should decide the metrics for measuring success. My advice relates more to encouraging you to actually create a structure for that measurement. Define when and how you will conduct the assessment. You most likely set meetings for work that are a priority on your calendar. Assign the same value to assessing your progress on a weekly and monthly basis. Make it an appointment with yourself that you don’t move around because “I’ll find time eventually.” The reality is, if you have started a new way of eating you have decided already that your health is a priority. Let your actions reflect that.

Course correct as needed!

The purpose of assessment is driving future action. Part of finding the right path for yourself may be identifying that some elements of a program are working properly for you and others that are not. Be willing to let go of the elements that are working against you but do this first, ask yourself the purpose of that piece on the program. And then identify what you are currently doing that may meet that need or what new actions you may need to implement. Dig deep to understand what parts of the work you are doing that are meeting your needs, and then add the new pieces. You don’t have to stop and start over, keep going. Your goals don’t change just because you are trying something new.

Don’t give up!

Plain and simple, don’t give up on yourself. You may come through a month on a new program and be 100% certain it was not the right one for you. It is often human nature to then say “Welp, I failed again, why even try?” There will be programs that fail YOU! Persevering and moving on to try something else is a sign of resilience not failure. This is when you need to move to the next program on your list and repeat. Don’t see the last attempt as a pure failure. Identify the lessons you have learned about yourself and your efforts, and apply them. This is a learning process as much as it is a treasure hunt! Just because one big X on your map was not the right spot, keep digging. As long as you never give up, the possibility of success is always out there!

And there you have it. Seven steps to help you find the way of eating that will not only help move you towards your goals but also fit the best with you as a person. Be patient, do the work and trust yourself. You can do this! If you feel like you need a helping hand, let’s talk. Click here to schedule a free conversation about your goals and your plan.