I’m starting a new series on my {newish} blog today, called Motivational Monday. With all the work I’m doing on the set of Emotional Mojo, I have lots of ideas churning about how food and emotions are entertained and I’m excited to share many of my thoughts here with you on this blog.
I’ve been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for 18 years. I’ve heard it all and hardly anything shocks me anymore. I have also heard a LOT of excuses throughout the years–and I’m going to give you some ideas of how to blast through those excuses.
It’s a special occasion so I can indulge (birthday, valentines’ day, anniversary, Christmas, Thanksgiving, vacation, etc).
- This is true, and it is 100% okay to indulge…but still be conscious of what you are doing. I have seen people undo a week or month of eating well with one or two bad days of complete disregard for what they are eating on a vacation or holiday.
- Step back and evaluate what you’re really doing during this food-obsessed time. Food journaling helps you become aware of how often you are indulging and makes you more conscientious overall.
- Balance your indulgences with either being a bit more strict in the times surrounding the indulgence or with increased activity/exercise to balance it out.
I feel obligated to eat whatever is being served.
- You don’t owe an explanation to anyone as to why you are or aren’t eating something. Own it! Nobody should criticize you for wanting to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Have an explanation ready (if you feel you need one) to explain why you aren’t indulging.
- If you think it will become a bigger issue than that, put a small bit of the unhealthy dish on your plate, eat all your other food first, take one bite of it and say you are too full to finish but it was very delicious.
I travel or attend a lot of parties that don’t serve vegetables or any healthy dishes so I have no choice but to eat what’s there.
- Make your own healthy dish to add to the spread! I’m sure it would be appreciated by the host anyways, and enjoyed by everyone. If not, more for you!
- If going to a party, eat your usual healthy dinner before hand so you won’t need to snack on anything there.
- Enjoy the unhealthy food–just in small quantities!
There are so many goodies at work. Suzie has a candy jar and it’s hard to resist, especially when I’m starving.
- Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to eat it.
- Keep your own healthy snacks in a drawer at work to prevent you from afternoon splurging.
I don’t have time to work out every day.
- Something is better than nothing! Do what you can, just make sure it’s something.
- Wake up a little bit earlier and get 20-30 minutes in first thing.
- Break it up throughout the day if that’s all you have time for. It doesn’t have to be all at once!
- Meet a friend for a workout so you can double up on social time with exercise time.
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or connect with me on twitter @DietDivaTara. What excuses are holding you back?
