Declare your Day

I tend to listen to a lot of podcasts, whether they are about weight, politics, science, exercise or philosophy. They often blend together in helping focus on achieving balance in life. The difficulty is in the variety of ideas, some of which are conflicting, when it comes to types of diets, supplements, types and patterns of exercise, amounts of sleep, and hardest of all, how to de-stress our stressful lives.

However, it seems that an almost a universal approach of successful individuals in all areas of life, tends to be their desire (or need) to journal. Now, the journaling I'm talking about isn't just documenting what food you are eating or the exercise you did, but its sitting down, especially in the morning, and writing down what you are going to do for the day and WHY.

Most of us simply get out of bed and rush to get ready to work. The day goes by without us really having put down our purpose. This is especially true when it comes to food (and exercise). Since a healthy lifestyle needs a plan (much like an athlete needs a coach to direct his or her exercise for the week), we too need to develop a plan.

This may be done in a very simple fashion. As you are having your coffee or tea, sit with a scrap of paper or journal and write down how you want to eat, why you want to eat that way, and the foods you will eat or avoid eating. In there, however, you must have your WHY. (For example: to feel better, to fit into smaller clothes, to have better blood sugars, etc. Whatever your reasons, write them down.) This will make things more concrete in your mind, and you will be much less likely to deviate if someone brings in sweets to the office, or help you resist the temptation to 'go out' for dinner.

The same goes for exercise. No matter how simple it is, if you write it down, you are more likely to do it. By the end of the day our minds can come up with all sorts of excuses not to do anything; but if you've written down: "I want to walk 20 minutes after work because I will get more energy and be less likely to nibble tonight," then you are more likely to complete this and feel so much better.

By journaling before your day starts, you ground yourself and set purpose for the day. It won't take longer than 5 minutes.

Lately I am seeing a lot of people who feel off track with food and exercise. It may be the time of year, or the weather, that makes us feel the need to cocoon in the house more; I'm not sure. However, we must break out of this rut. If morning time seems to be too rushed, then pull out a small journal while you are in bed the night before and write down your plans for the next day. Remember, this is not a to-do list, it is a declaration to yourself about how you want to live your day. Write your goals for eating and exercising the next day to help you feel better, and more
importantly, to feel in control.

Staying on course, developing some degree of balance of sleep and nutrition and exercise in your very busy life is not easy; I know this. I also know we are capable of this. Just try your best. Find out if this technique helps you; if not, keep working on methods that put you in control of your food and exercise.

You can do it....just keep trying...and never, ever give up.

Dr. Doug