Lifestyle Resolution -- And the Sales Approach?

Today is a new day! I was sitting in a seminar this afternoon that had absolutely nothing to do with weight loss or healthy eating but I did hear a wise piece of advice that is most definitely transferable.


It takes twenty-one tries to change a habit into a routine or a better habit. The seminar was regarding sales and creating a routine in order to ensure we've covered every base that we need to. If you fail to meet your new routine anytime between your first attempt and your twenty-first attempt, you must start back at one until you achieve your goal.

Once you've reached your twenty-first time, without fail you should congratulate yourself on creating a new habit or routine for yourself. How does this translate to a lifestyle change, or weight loss? I don't know. If I chose not to order french fries the first 21 times I'm offered them, then by the time I'm offered them the 22nd time I've created a habit and wont ever be tempted? I will never be tempted by the salty, golden wondrous things we call fries again?

I doubt it. What are your thoughts on the whole thing? How does changing a habit or routine in one aspect of your life translate to the part of your brain that controls your eating habits or exercise routines? So far on my weight loss journey I've been able to say no, or just "taste" tempting high point foods but I don't know where that sudden will power or self control even came from? I don't know. I guess for as long as I have will power and self control I guess I don't really need to worry about where it came from.

Attack of the Gallbladder

Back in March of 2009, just three months before I was due to be married I was working an evening shift at my job. I started experiencing a pain I had never felt before.

It started at five in the evening, and was a sharp pain just under my ribs on the right side of my body. Long story short I spend a few long hours in the hospital emergency room with my mother-in-law to find out I had just had my first gallbladder attack caused by passing a gallstone. Once the stone was passed the pain disappeared never to be heard from again...

Fast forward to approximately a month ago. I started having mild pain in the same area as before. I put off going to the doctor because the pain was mild and I knew what was causing it. I figured I would experience the pain until I passed a stone and then it would go away. No such luck. The pain persisted and I trucked off to my family doctor.

She is convinced that it is my gallbladder, and is sending me for a confirmation ultrasound. The result of the appointment was what I expected. I insisted on the opportunity to change my diet to see if that would improve the situation before jumping into the drastic alternative of surgery.She agreed but also let me know that an improvement in diet isn't always going to "cure" the problem and I may end up needing surgery anyways.

As for now I have decided to maintain a low fat diet, and ultimately, I should lose the weight that I need to if nothing else.

  

Healthy Eating is Learned

I would be lying (and not very well) if I tried to say I don't like sweets or fried food. Honestly, as I type Hubbs is popping a Delissio pizza in the oven for lunch. MmMm..

Part of the whole "new leaf" thing I talked about in my Commandments blog was inspired by my Monster. How can I possibly expect him to eat (more importantly, like to eat) fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats if we don't lead by example and eat them too. For the most part, Hubbs and I make sure we have our daily requirements, but it's usually not without a fight from one or both of us.

I often hear the argument that it's much faster to pop a pizza in the oven, then it is to chop up some veggies for a salad. I have to disagree with those people, because I was once one of those people and I know the truth! To bake a Delissio Pizza you have to preheat the oven, lets be generous and say that only takes about 5 minutes, then you have to bake the pizza for at least 25 minutes before you can actually eat it. In the 30 minutes you wasted waiting to eat your frozen pizza you could have chopped up your veggies AND eaten your salad. Barring any disfigurements in your fingers or hands that make it difficult for you to hold and use a knife.

Laziness. Our society has become so obsessed with speed, and getting things done as quickly as humanly possible that they have convinced themselves, and made excuses for themselves that "fast food" is the only way you can survive. I use the term "fast food" loosely. I'm not only talking about a drive thru window, I'm also talking about anything pre-pakaged and full of preservatives.

That is the way of thinking I'm planning on trying to prevent in my Monster.

(..to be continued)