Getting Real with Shadra Bruce
I love Wendy’s Frostys. I mean, even as I write this, the idea of eating one makes my mouth water. But you know what? I don’t need them, and they don’t really like me. And after I eat one, even a tiny one, I feel icky. But damn if I don’t order one every time we go to Wendy’s (which is usually only when we’re traveling or out to a movie).
What can I say? I was raised by a dairy man and ice cream is in my soul. It’s habit to want it. In fact, it’s habit for me to order a Frosty from Wendy’s for myself when I order them for the kids as a treat. It’s a mindless habit. I don’t stop to think about it…I just always have, and so I always do. But each time I actually eat it, it makes me feel ill! My body is telling me it would prefer the salad, I guess. (And oh, I do love Wendy’s salads).
We were recently traveling with Parker and stopped at Wendy’s for a quick bite for lunch. Since Parker hates their silly soda machines that make everything taste like a mix, I got him a Frosty. And of course, that meant I got me one, too. But where my 18-year old son can pack away a Baconator and a Frosty and still be looking around for more food, the Frosty hit me like a punch in the gut. I immediately told Dave that for me, ordering a Frosty was a habit I no longer wanted to have, and could he please help me remember how I feel afterwards so I won’t do it again.
This is no slight against Wendy’s. They are my favorite “fast” food and oh how I love their Twitter feed. (Did you see how they burned Chic-Fil-A? Dying!)
Even when you are reasonably healthy and making reasonable progress toward your health and fitness goals, you will still face challenges, like bags of potato chips or cookies, or (sigh) ice cream. One of the best ways you can resolve the issues you face as you change your lifestyle to have healthier eating habits, more movement, and positive, powerful thinking is through mindfulness and communication. Mindfulness in everything we do – simply being more aware of our feelings, thoughts, emotions, and spaces – can help us make decisions that make sense. Communication helps you bring others onto your team to help you get there (no one succeeds alone). I have learned to tell Dave what I’m struggling with so that he can help me remember. He’s no longer allowed to buy Lay’s barbecue potato chips because I can’t resist them. All other chips, no problem. Those? Hide the bag. And if I do have ice cream after dinner, he knows it’s just symbolic for me and to just put a couple of bites in a very small bowl so that I can have a taste and then I’m satisfied.
By taking active control of the problems you face in changing your lifestyle, you will be able to accomplish more toward getting fit, losing fat, and eating healthy. I don’t believe in diets or fad health trends; I absolutely don’t believe in jogging. I believe in balance. Mindfulness and communication help me achieve that balance so that when I’m in Old Montreal for my anniversary and we decide to split the 32-ounce porterhouse aged beef phenomenon at the new restaurant in town, and we eat every last bite, I don’t feel guilty. I spent four days in Montreal and didn’t have ice cream once (if you’ve ever been, you’ll understand how amazing that is).
Mindfulness and communication. Two powerful tools to help you achieve your goals – whether it’s eating less ice cream or anything else you’re trying to achieve.
How do you resist temptations?
