Today I am going to share with you an awareness during a nutrition consultation. Chances are you recognize yourself in this story - and this situation!
A client (we will call her Laetitia) told me that at the start of her support, everything was going perfectly well and that as a result, it was easy for her to put in place as well as continue to practice the new habits we had. agreed together to lead it towards its objectives.
Except that in the meantime, life has happened: a vacation that was a little too drunk with friends, lower back pain and above all, a lot of stress at work, with no immediate improvement in sight.
That's when Laetitia confided to me: "I need everything to go well in my life to maintain my eating routine."
Does this sound familiar?
Do you need the ideal, if not perfect, moment when all the stars are aligned to maintain a certain course of action and not send everything flying?
I'm going to start with the least good news (the best is to come, I promise!): the perfect or ideal moment does not exist, or does not last.
Telling yourself that you need “perfection” to progress is programming yourself to fail. Certainly, I do not necessarily recommend that you change your eating habits in depth at the worst times of your life, those when everything changes at once (separation, bereavement, dismissal, depression). In these moments, we have a different order of priorities.
That said, you are not doomed to helplessness if you encounter some obstacles (which is part of life and allows us to grow, right?). The challenges that come your way should not become excuses to give up.
Easier said than done ?
Yes, although with practice, trials turn into opportunities.
Did you completely go off track during a party or following a vacation? Consider it a learning experience. What lessons can you learn from this experience? What stopped you from doing better? Did you deprive yourself too much before that birthday or trip abroad, leading you to binge on food? Do you have that “all or nothing” mentality? Define the minimum actions you want to take in a worst-case scenario. This emergency plan does not aim for perfection, but will help you stay on course towards the desired destination. By applying it, you will realize that a few more “flexible” days will not turn into a disaster (to use the words of my clients, “into extra kilos on the scale).
Coming back to Laetitia, I helped her realize that if she only had limited power over her environment and that it would rarely (or never!) be perfect, she could still put in a position for success.
So here's the good news I promised you: your life is not constantly idyllic, and the only thing you can plan for is the unexpected!
BUT: you have the power over how you respond. I use the word “respond”, not react. A reaction is on the spot, instinctive. An answer is more studied, more thoughtful, and will be much more beneficial to you in the long term.
By acting on the elements you can truly control, you will regain power. This is a much more pleasant prospect than enduring the ups and downs of life, which will allow you to follow the guideline you have set for yourself, with a certain degree of rigor and above all, without giving up!
Are you not very proud of yourself after your last meal? That's it, move on and focus on the next positive action within your reach: drink a large glass of water, prepare your lunch box for the office or choose a nice apple for a snack.
On this positive note, I wish you a good holiday as well as a very happy Easter. Create wonderful memories with your loved ones and fully enjoy the eggs, rabbits and other treats you choose to taste!
To your well-being and health,
Isabelle