Small Step #21. Make it Fun.
I’m not here to tell you that getting healthy is an easy undertaking, but I will say that if you practice a little Mary Poppins theology, this will work a whole lot better for you.
Small Step #20. It’s Not Just shopping, Don’t Do Anything Hungry!
The key to success to always have a back-up plan. Do our military forces charge in with no plan B in case their initial strategy doesn’t work out? No.
Small Step #18. Know your WHY
Recognizing that “honor” is my ultimate goal usually informs me as to what my next best decision should be. Once I was able to define “honor” was the goal, I could evaluate my actions against it.
Small Step #17. Define your own success
What “success” looks and feels like to you can change. You can make it more rigorous, or less. It’s your health, after all. Don’t be afraid to define what you want it to be.
Small Step #16. Collect Data Regularly
I was able to buy into the advice that I needed to step on the scale simply as a way to collect data. I needed a starting point and the number was just a number. It didn’t mean I was a good person or bad; it was just a reflection of how my body disseminated the calories I consumed.
Small Step #14. Pledge to give up certain foods forever
I try to be one of those people who avoids making extreme statements that begin with the words “never” or “always.” I’ve been a moderate in my health, too. But after being on this wellness journey a while and doing some research about food and the typical American diet, I’ve changed my mind on a few things and I whole-heartedly say I will NEVER again eat this thing.
Small Step #12. Eat Real Sugar
If we’re striving to eat food closer to the plant in the ground and not the factory plant, this serves our goal.
Small Step #10. Take 10 minutes Tonight to Prepare for Tomorrow
Sometimes the key to success is to remove the obstacles in your way. So take a few minutes this evening to prepare for tomorrow and see what you can get done.
Small Change #9. Just Say “NO”
You know those donuts in the office break room would taste delicious, but you also know they’re not on your plan for getting to your health goals. Who wants to tell themselves “No” in this situation?
Small Step #8. Embrace the Journey
The thing is, it took me a while to figure out that getting healthy is not something that happens in a check-the-box-straight-line. Or even a predictable line. Unlike my favorite 5K route, there’s no exact path to follow with clearly flagged turns and hazard markers
About Emily
As a kid, I was pretty sure I’d have one of those lives where everything turned out exactly as I’d planned and I’d be confident in all my doings. Here I am mid-forty-ish, and I realize I’m not really even sure what I want to be when I grow up. But I’m working on it. These are my musings about what I consider the most important aspects to the fine art of figuring it all out.