When YOU become the
bad influence..
We hear it often when we are trying to make a change in our
lives. That change could be lose weight, eat healthier, consume less alcohol or
stress less. What we are often told is ‘change your circle of influence’. Not everyone’s will is put to the test by
their surroundings, but when we feel vulnerable it is those around us who can
be a bad influence and in times of vulnerability we can crack too easily.... A
house full of drinkers can sway the sober room mate, or a dieter can fall prey
to the temptation of junk food if it is thoughtlessly left there in the fridge
by the not-so-dieting siblings.
Let’s just assume for a moment though that you have been
able to change your surroundings and/or the circle of influence. They have either understood and have amended
their ways, or you just simply moved out! Nothing can go wrong now can it, you
can still lose weight surely?
Maybe not .... There is the still the biggest influence in
your life left to deal with : YOU! We
assume it’s the temptations around us that are our downfall, but how many times
have we ‘given in’ to that little voice in our head that simply said ‘go on,
just do it – don’t think through the consequences, just DO IT!’ And the switch happens – before you can say ‘but....’
your finger is on the wine glass, hand in the crisp packet or spoon deep in the
ice cream tub. The feeling of instant gratification will give way to guilt
sooner rather than later, and although you know this you still do it.... There goes
the attempt to lose weight ...
When the last worse influence in your life is you, it’s not easy.
Professional help is always the best way forward. But from my own limited experience of
challenging myself I would offer the following advice : Firstly admit that you
do have a problem, over which you are powerless. Now tell yourself “the
definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and
expecting different results”. So if you
know that a glass of wine on a Friday night leads to a full bottle every time, why have a
glass in the first place?
Self analysis
can and does lead to change. Understand
yourself and the reasons why you do what you do. Once you can identify your ‘bad self’ and the
patterns of behaviour that leads it to taking
over, it becomes easier to control.
So change your external influences for sure, but take some
time to understand the real bad influence in the room : You!
#weightloss #mondaymotivation
#cravingfood #badinfluence
#baddiet
