Tuesday, May 20, 2008

New goals

Yesterday J and I talked about some different things than we usually do. She wants me to think about my definition of healthy living (like they teach in health class in junior high). She wants me to think about my passions and goals in life that are not related to school or work and make a list. Her point is that while it is important to focus on Intuitive Eating it is also important to keep on living and incorporate other things into my life that I enjoy. I'm not sure I get it actually. We'll see. I thought about maybe learning to play the guitar but then I think wait, I don't have time for that. We did talk about Intuitive Eating as a process. You never stop this process, you become better at it and just like life you have to work at it every day. I think J wants me to be able to focus on other passions and goals so that IE will be come natural and easily incorporated.

The other thing we discussed was some questions I could ask myself as I near the end of a meal:
  • If I stop, will I feel deprived?
  • What are the benefits if I keep eating?
  • What are the benefits if I stop now?
OK so here is my bulleted list of things I'm going to work on for the next two weeks:
  • Make a list of my goals and passions (not related to school or work)
  • Write my definition of healthy living (relaxation, sleep, physically, stress)
  • Ride my bike to work at least once a week
  • Try yoga at least once a week
  • Read chapter 5 (Reject the Diet Mentality) - I'll blog about this after I read it
  • Keep trying to take 20 minutes to eat

Chapter 13 - Exercise - Feel the Difference

Here are some thoughts from this chapter:
  • Focus on how it makes you feel...
  • Start slow or you might not enjoy it
  • Don't look in the big mirrors at the gym
  • Compare how it feels to exercise to how it feels to not exercise
  • Exercise helps prevent health problems
  • Incorporate physical activity into your everyday life
    • stairs
    • ride bike to work
    • walk to class
    • walk around the airport while waiting for flight
  • Exercise is a NON-NEGOTIABLE PRIORITY
  • Exercise to take care of yourself - reevaluate your priorities - make time to take care of yourself
    • make an appointment with yourself and keep it just like you would keep an appointment with a friend
  • Make exercise fun
    • walk with a friend = uninterrupted talk time (Larry and me every morning at 5:30 AM)
    • basketball
    • racquetball
    • biking
  • Exercise can be a good way to channel anxiety while learning to eat intuitively
  • Remember to REST - be smart
    • Sometimes taking care of yourself means choosing not to exercise.