December 10, 2015

Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Health – Part 2

This is continued from the previous blog.

#6. You think the glass is half empty. Do you allow negative self-talk to sabotage your healthy behaviors? Degenerative language can keep you in a negative space about your progress and achievements. When it comes to working out, California-based personal trainer Jenny Schatzle says you may have thoughts like, “I should have run faster” or “The person next to me looks better” or “I still have much more weight to lose.” Negative thoughts demotivate people from moving forward towards health that is more positive. “It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you go, you’re still lapping the person sitting on the couch. Be present and proud that you’re doing it at all.”

#7. You don’t think you’re good enough. Low self-esteem can instill a sense of feeling unworthy, that you don’t really deserve the benefits you’ve worked for diligently. This can prevent you from trying your hardest because if you hold a little something back, you can always say, “Well, I could have succeeded, but it cost too much or I had other priorities.” While this can help you save face, recognize that it’s not a genuine effort.

#8. You succumb to your self-destructive habits. Most of us have at least one. It might be tobacco, alcohol, or even ice cream. Whatever the habit, realize that habits are resistant to change. It takes perseverance, discipline and a good plan.

#9. You stop when you start seeing results. Many people can set goals and begin to see some progress as they work towards them. But don’t think you’ve made it just because you’re losing weight or building muscle tone. You need to maintain the discipline and keep it going. The Transtheoretical Model of behavior change says to really develop a long-lasting behavior, you need to maintain it for at least 6 months. Some people start seeing results and begin slowing down, stopping the very behavior that got them there in the first place.

#10. You expect the “old you” will reappear. In a bizarre twist, expecting the worst is a form of self-preservation. Even though we might be succeeding fabulously on our new workout or weight loss plan, because we are creatures of comfort, it’s somehow easier if we revert to our old selves. It’s like an old comfortable shoe.

I have been guilty of some of these, but I am not proud of letting these happen. I do see many other people with diabetes that continue to use many of these to sabotage their diabetes management. The sad thing is that they don't even realize they are sabotaging their management. I would like to say that we are all human, but that would be a cop out.

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