Caution: Look the other way—Keep your eye on the prize!
Wouldn’t it be great if the messages that we’re bombarded with everyday
encouraged us to make healthy choices instead of so blatantly sabotaging our efforts?
For all of us who are using HealthyWage challenges to lose weight, happiness
is being re-framed. In the past we may have defined joy as coming from the momentary pleasure of a huge banana split or a giant piece of chocolate layer cake.
Sure they taste good, but we know where that got us!
Now that we’ve looked at our values-inspired reasons to lose weight, our definition of happiness is probably quite different.
The true definition of happiness is those things that provide meaning, purpose and pleasure.
Time to think out of the (ice) box!
Here are some non-food activities that often bring happiness (some
even expend calories):
- Dancing to your favorite band
- Listening to live music
- Hanging out with friends
- Reading a good book
- Watching children play
- Hiking in nature
- Going to a symphony
- Reading the Sunday Times with a good cup of coffee
- Taking fun photos
- Doing volunteer work
- Writing or reading poetry
And, hey, be sure to enjoy some ice cream now and then if you truly love it. It’s OK.
But to reach your weight loss and other life goals…
Keep your eye on the prize!
If you’re happy and you know it, what do you do?
Have a great week!
—Ellen
Ellen is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco and Redwood City, California. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates the use of mindfulness into the treatment of depression, anxiety, and emotional overeating. She runs a holistic weight loss program called Center for Thoughtful Weight Loss, www.thoughtfulweightloss.com. You can email Ellen at ellen@thoughtfulweightloss.com and follow her on Twitter at @thoughtfullellen.
Copyright © 2011 Ellen N. Resnick, LCSW
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