It was the Friday before Labor Day. My co-worker, Patricia, knocked on my office door and said, “Kate, there is a mom who needs to talk to you about her vouchers.” Her statement was simple, straightforward, and one I heard often in the social service agency where I worked at the time. It’s also important to know that Patricia was one of my favorite co-workers, so her requests for me to help clients were usually met with smiles. However, this day Patricia’s request was met with a growl. That’s right — I, a grown, (supposedly) professional, adult woman, growled at my co-worker. After her momentary shock subsided, she laughed and asked me why I was so angry.
In fact, I wasn’t angry, I was just dealing with a terrible headache that was the result of my decision to give up caffeine for the month. That’s right- my quest to become a little bit healthier was a factor in my decision to act out in an odd manner. It was then and there that I decided any future attempts to modify my eating habits would only happen if I took several steps to make the process simpler and perhaps a little less painful. I’ll share those tips with you today:
- Think big, but start small– Which statement sounds better to you: “I am going to give up all sugar-filled drinks and snacks,” or “I will choose to eat a piece of fruit at my desk, rather than a candy bar?” While the first statement might be your ultimate health goal, the second statement
probably sounds more manageable and attainable. - Ease the transition- A woman I know likes to pack a snack that she can eat on her drive home from work. She prefers crunchy foods, and often chose potato chips as her snack. When she wanted to begin eating healthier foods, she first gave up her potato chips for salt-free pretzels, then switched to apple slices and baby carrots.
- Focus on today- Giving up caffeine for a day sounds much easier than giving up caffeine for thirty days. If your goal sounds overwhelming, remember that even just a single day of change carries you one step closer to your goal. Also, it doesn’t take long for “one day at a time” to quickly become a week or two of improved food habits!
- It’s all a “mind game”– Our brains are hard-wired to remember the familiar, the routine. When we’re changing habits, we’re trying to change those familiar routines. Whatever steps you take to change your food habits, remember that it will take some time and practice to replace an old habit or routine with a new one.
Making changes to our food habits can have many positive long-term benefits in our lives. If the short-term adjustments are causing problems, consider changing your approach to make the transition a little less painful and a little less complicated.
