Building upon the action step from the previous post, it's time to do one more round of examination and build a program based on the information you have collected.
First, I suggest you take note of your personality, personal preferences, spiritual connection and tendencies as they are NOW. These are the components of yourself that you are going to want to make a program selection based around, in order to find one that works for you. Do you prefer social interaction when you exercise or not? Do you need accountability partner? Like being clerical and tracking results? Is convenience important? Simple or complex with lots of details?
Select a program that offers you what you need right now, knowing that as life shifts and changes; so too will your preferences, spiritual connection, tendencies and personality. This is why no ONE program is ideal-even if you've had success with it in the past. This is okay! Find one that fits your needs (schedule, emotional state, the season....) and go with it.
At the forefront (as we did previously) remember to acknowledge the roots of wellness...spirituality, healthy relationships, good financial stewardship, emotional well-being, mentality/perspective and Physical. When we are well aware of the current state of these components, we will be more inclined to select the appropriate actions that support them. On the other hand, weight gain, food cravings, stress, feeling uninspired and the like are only SYMPTOMS and will never serve your process if your focus remains here. Allow the latter to act merely as a guide.
Here's an action step to start with and periodically revisit.
In your journal from the last action step, write down the undesirable symptoms you are experiencing (ie. weight gain, emotional eating...). Beside each symptom ask yourself what contributes to that current state, then link it to a root of your well being.
For example:
Symptom =Weight gain.
Contributing Factors = Too many calories, many from emotional or mindless eating. Food offers fulfillment that is missing.
Well-being Root: fuel authentic fulfillment...spirituality, relationships, purpose.
Rather than addressing your weight gain, identify what action steps you can take to fuel your authentic fulfillment. As you do this, use the guidance you get to take steps that support weight loss(less emotional eating, more exercise...... ).
This is where your program tools come in...which program will offer you what you need? For exercise it may be that you want this time to be used socially taking an aerobic class that builds relationships, perhaps it's training to Race For a Cure because that gives you purpose, maybe it is a quite time you do at home in yoga poses that allows you a still mind to connect spiritually. For your nutritional habits, it may be that the clerical side of you needs a food diary to keep tabs. Maybe you want to read an article each day to become informed on choices that you are making, or perhaps you want a nutrition coach to do it all for you. Take what you find about your needs NOW and plug into the appropriate program, and when you lose connection with these practices don't mistake it as a program that did not work, rather, know your shifting in the process and it's time to re-evaluate what your new needs are.
Rule of Thumb: Nutritional foundations of a program should be based around whole foods (minimally process and in the state closest to their natural form). If packaged, read the ingredient label, real food is recognizable all the way down to the individual constituents. If they are not recognizable-question that they are good. Physical activity should be diverse (including strengthening, stretching, fat burning and cardiovascular). The prescribed exercise routine should be appropriate for your current condition and age, ever-changing and prompt positive results in measurable form.
As always check with your doctor before you begin a new regimen
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