Mind Your Approach to Nutrition

Our approach to anything usually comes from what our goals and ideas for an outcome look like, whether these are objective (clear) or subjective (vague). So, for example, when referring to nutrition, your goal might be to lose weight. Your approach then will most likely be eating less food, stepping on the scale from time to time, and not being truly satisfied until you see results in the mirror and on the scale. If your goal is to stop overeating salty or sweet foods and apply more balance and moderation, then your approach will be to eliminate or limit those foods in your diet. These are great goals, and the approach or process to instilling new healthier habits is relative to our unique goals and other personal factors. When trying to achieve goals that involve adjusting our diet and even implementing more movement in our daily lives, the way that we approach change will determine our success. For example, when referring to weight loss as a goal, although appearance matters because it helps boost confidence, aesthetics should not be your prime focus. If trying to eat healthier to feel better, look better in the mirror, or weigh less on the scale starts to cause overwhelm and stress, then you need to check in with how you’re approaching your nutrition goals. There should be a great sense of joy from doing what’s best for your health, both mentally and physically.

When working to achieve your better nutrition goals, remember that you are trying to instill new habits and a changed mindset around eating. This means letting go of constant control, measurement, or success through numbers, and how good you look in the mirror. This means keeping an open mind to your ability to make better dietary choices, learning a new way, and giving yourself grace when you seemingly fail. When we “fail” or fall away from our goals, those moments teach us how to overcome challenges better the next time we are faced with something difficult. It is an essential part of changing any dietary/lifestyle habit to achieve a better health and wellness outcome. Do what makes you feel great! I know that’s not eating processed food and sitting on the couch more times than not. Your approach to better nutrition should be that you deserve it! You deserve to feel great!