The Good Cookie or the Bad Cookie?
It's officially spring, which is my favorite time of year. It's a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and new life. The state of things is slowly beginning to improve, and I am starting to feel a little bit lighter. I am just popping in to say hello and to share some thoughts on what happens when you get negative feedback from your body and how great it can be!
I thought of this when I was working with a client who is trying to break "the reach for sugar for energy habit". Feeling bad about it, she mentioned that she grabbed a cookie when she knew she shouldn't have but needed some energy, and did it anyway. I asked her to tell me how she felt energy-wise after eating the cookie. Her response:
"I didn't feel that good, and I was still hungry."
To which I replied: "That's great news!"
She definitely wasn't expecting that answer. Now I didn't say that because I endorse eating cookies for energy, or that I was happy that she did not feel good, but the great news is the fact that her eating that cookie gave her some interesting feedback. Why?
Because nothing is more revealing then when you slide back into an old habit. The next time she feels the need to reach for a cookie for energy, she can think back to the time when she ate the cookie and did not feel great afterwords. This awareness can result in a better choice in the moment when faced with the same situation. Ultimately, the negative reinforcement can actually be a huge indicator of change in the right direction because it means you are creating an awareness of your habits and actions.
How many times have you eaten something you knew you shouldn't have (because you knew it wasn't great for your waistline) but did it anyway only to feel really bloated, guilty, or like you needed a nap right after? (I am raising my hand for sure!) The best part is that understanding this about yourself is what makes it easier to actually make the better choice when you know the negative impact it will have on how you feel. Of course there are times when we eat a cookie and feel great about it, like a fresh Levain bakery cookie (if you have not heard of Levain Bakery, please look them up😋) but that's not what I am talking about here.
Same thing can be said when it comes to movement and exercise. The next time you are faced with not really wanting to exercise or start to rationalize that you don't have the time, try to think of how movement makes you feel. That memory can help you stick to your exercise routine. The association of good feeling vs bad feeling can be enough to get you to move your body and stave off cravings more easily than you think, and the more you do that, the bigger the impact on your waistline, thighs, or booty.
The next time you find yourself tempted to do something you should not, ask yourself how you felt before when you have taken these actions, and see what you get. I bet that awareness will make your choice much easier on what you will and will not do the next time around. 😉
Ok, all of this talk about a cookie is making me hungry, so off I go to grab some real food. 👊
What is your habit that you tend to slide back into? Feel free to comment or get in touch.! I would love to hear!
I hope you have a wonderful day and happy spring! More to come soon,