Motivation for Lasting Change
By Mark Snare
In my role as a natural health advisor and nutritionist I find repeatedly that I’m in a scenario of offering what is obviously common sense advice. I feel that I’m patronising rather than helping the client and the core issue is the motivation for change.
In a straight forward scenario of an overweight client with nothing really wrong other than low fitness levels and carrying too much body fat the required changes needed are obvious, the motivation to action them is somewhat more elusive.
I find it useful to be brutally honest with yourself it terms of what you want from life and what it is that is hold you back from getting it. This is often an emotionally charged question as people have an array of reasons why their life is different from what they imagined for themselves when they were young. What went wrong, who was at fault and why they were held back are all charged issues.
Good food choices are widely known, yet are not easy, require some work and are sometimes less accessible than poor food choices. When emotions are not positive there is little chance of lasting change and the rewards that go with it. This is an element of my work that challenges and fascinates me, how often have we indulged ourselves in excuses that “it’s easier for other people” or “I’ll start this tomorrow.” In my experience a person that feels positive about life is far more receptive and keen to learn and experiment than one who is stuck in negativity or harbouring difficult emotions.
This is the point at which I find honesty with yourself and writing down the things you really want for your life a very powerful stimulus for lasting change. Telling yourself you want to lose weight is very vague. Weighing yourself at the start of each day and writing your weight and your goal on a calendar is a much more powerful tool. The results can be seen and progress can be visible, from this you can see the desired end result drawing nearer and see the instant result from a positive day of action.
The simple facts never change, it is your life, you can be in charge and anyone can effect lasting change immediately if their motivation is genuine. Start by writing down simple goals and making them prominent. Once the ball is rolling the results are encouraging, you will become keen to learn and cover more ground, but this all starts by asking yourself some difficult questions about what you want and what is currently hindering your progress towards it.
I do believe that everyone deserves the chance to live the life they want to rather than have life happen to them. Take charge, talk straight with yourself and give yourself the stimulus to achieve your goals.
Mark makes a lot of fresh juicer and blender drinks and tries to be as healthy as he can be.
For more ideas on juicer and blender recipes and healthy foods have a look at our information archive.
This article was posted by Mark Snare
