by Sverrir Þráinsson
Dear creatures of habits.
Have you ever wondered why you make bad decisions with regards to food, followed by a disappointing sigh? Like Britney Spears song: “Oops! I did it again”. Does this happen every day, in other words is this routine or a habit?
We are all creatures of habit, some good, some not so good. We create habits, sometimes through necessity as a reaction to a situation which is uncomfortable or out of our control, I call these “the escape habits”. Sometimes we create habits simply because it’s a human thing to do. Habits can be a fundamental way to deal with several negative situations in our lives. The “escape habit” is often the habit which is most difficult to change, for its deeply rooted and can be triggered by a smell, a memory or a sense of the situation. Usually, this has to do with something from ones childhood, which can literally mean anything, ranging from from abuse, bullying or a negative experience.
Escape habits are essentially destructive and will not do you any good in the long run, because they don’t serve you now. Destructive habits cause distress, anguish and disappointment. These feelings can be turned into pride, joy and self-worth. Positivity trumps negativity, that’s just the way it is.
By the time people are obese, they have accumulated a whole lot of destructive habits throughout their life. My clients are encouraged slowly but surely, to delve into their life and discover and identify their bad habits and the reasons for them and to help people make a U-turn, and help them achieve their goal of a more reasonable, leaner life, without extremes.
I go through great lengths to help my clients make the U-turn in their life, change the way of thinking and moving forward towards a different and hopefully easier life for themselves. I help my clients keep an eye on their goal, by motivation and advice.
To date, I have helped thousands of people from several parts of the world. My method is simple, to keep in touch and encourage. My clients send a daily diary to me to view and based on the information, to provide assistance and advice to help correct and turn around bad lifelong habits. Through this work, I am able to assist my clients with creating new habits and an easy to follow routine, which in the end makes dreams come true and goals reached. In my program nothing is banned, no food or parties need to be skipped and the days are guilt free. I have devised a system of payback, so when the person falls for temptation, the following day is payback day, with fewer calories. The system works like a balance-sheet, which is balanced every week, making the payback much easier. Small steps, but effective.
Following is some advice to keep in mind, which will help people in the right chronic over-eating to a permanent change.
- If you´re having fish and chips, use fresh vegetables as a garnish instead of the chips, I guarantee that you´ll eat less. That is because in your mind, you are breaking a habit where you have automatically eaten as if automatically. By changing one thing, you will both eat slower, be more aware of what you are eating, enjoy your meal more and be on the path to change.
- Same applies when shopping for sweets or fast food. If you always go to the same shop, via the same route, then your habit is on ‘automatic’ and needs to change. Simply by taking an alternative route, walk instead of driving, bicycle, or take another mode of transport such as train or bus if you can, then you are systematically making an attempt to change your habit. This makes you more aware of your surroundings and what you are doing. It essentially wakes up your habit-ridden mind, and change is bound to happen.
- If you are used to binge eating, for instance pizza or spaghetti, try taking those items off your menu. There are so many alternatives, and if you want to me really healthy then go for vegetables of your choice or fruit. Often a glass of water before eating will reduce the feeling of hunger. Worth a try, right?
- A simple change as going for a walk after dinner can and will change your routine. There are no ifs or buts about it. By going for a walk, you are taking away the “usual”, the very thing that makes you live as a creature of habit and the very thing you need to change.
- Use smaller plates for your meals and drink more water.
Now, are YOU ready to make a change? I for one think you are worth it, do you? You are the master of your destiny, you are in charge of your dreams and I can help you reach your goal.
For further information on my online 1 on 1 daily diary program I recommend you press „like“ on my Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/grenningarradgjafinn or you can send me an email to: kaloriur@gmail.com
Best regards
Sverrir Þráinsson
A certified weight loss- and life coach