Many
of us feel that when we do things we have to do them perfectly.
Perfectionism can be a
big problem when we start creating positive habits and a healthy living plan. Even though it is
unrealistic to assume we can do something new perfectly the first time, we may
still get down on ourselves when we make mistakes.
How perfectionism affects making healthy choices?
Our tendencies towards perfectionism can have a major impact on our efforts to
make healthy choices. For example, if you start learning to eat instinctively and mindfully you might quickly become discouraged if you are not doing it
perfectly and then quit. Or you might be so intimidated by the process, because
you expect yourself to do it perfectly, that you never even start in the first
place.
What if we could live imperfectly?
Say you have a healthy living plan to eat a well balanced diet, start exercising regularly and stop stress eating.. Now let's say you only followed your plan about half the time. For many of us this would feel like a failure. However, following a healthier living plan half the time is still better than doing it none of the time. Of course it would be better if we could do your plan all of the time.
Thoughts create
results.
Thinking ineffective thoughts is a
habit, and a habit can be broken with awareness and practice.
Perfectionistic vs. Realistic thoughts.
I was
doing pretty well until I got sick (or busy, or company came, or I went
on vacation . . .).
To
quit your exercise program because you missed a day, a week, or even longer
makes as much sense as eating the whole bag of cookies because you ate three.
No person and no schedule are ever perfect, but thinking you have to do it
perfectly will derail you every time.
I have
a flexible, consistent exercise program.
In order for physical activity to become part of your
life, try to be as consistent but as flexible as possible.
Many people have found that writing their exercise schedules on their calendars
helps them stay on track. If they miss a session, they simply reschedule it, the way they would any other
important appointment.
If perfectionism is getting in the way of living healthier
remember, there is no hall of fame for dieters, there is no special prize or
medal we get if we exercise perfectly according to plan. It is really all about
doing something for us. It is all about self care.
If having perfect standards is getting in the way, then get
rid of the standards and get started doing something.
So let's cut ourselves some slack and start anywhere, even if imperfectly. Remember doing a mediocre plan is still better than doing nothing.
”A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao-tzu, The
Way of Lao-tzu
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