Diet Confusion? Begin Strategizing Actions

Is your head spinning from all the diet advice that is posted out there on the news and TV? How does one know Truth? Well, it shouldn’t be that complicated.

God did not originally create food as either good or bad, food is simply nutrients. As Paul urges with his letter to the Corinthians 10″23, “all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. Some foods are permissible but not all are constructive.”

We’ve discovered that some foods contain more nutrients than others and serve a purpose, while some are simply pleasurable to eat. But none are forbidden. Please don’t throw away all the food in your cupboard that some people consider “bad.” Throwing away food would be wasteful and against God’s principles of good monetary stewardship.

Start with Small Changes. It Creates Positive Habits.

Another truth we should learn is to establish that it’s always best to begin with small changes. This will anchor habits and develop a positive attitude to instill lifetime practices. Habits are like muscles that get more powerful with use. As you create and reach realistic goals you will begin to get mentally stronger. (In the past did you set unrealistically high goals that were unattainable and therefore discouraged you enough to quit?)

Begin by Meditating on These Points:

Try to understand why you do what you do. Romans 7:15 laments “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Understand the WHY. Why are you eating? Start with recognizing your routine habits and behaviors. Do you feel out of control? Conquered by food triggers? Discouraged?  Bored? Do you need something to crunch on when you feel frustrated? Grab comfort food like chocolate when you’re sad?

Please understand that sometimes a cookie isn’t just a cookie. Sometimes a cookie represents your subconscious thoughts of warmth, comfort, memories of home, love and security.  It is not wrong to eat a cookie if you are in control, but if the desire for a cookie is “calling your name,” controlling you, then you need to discover the psychological or emotional reason you need it to feel fulfilled.

Be truthful with yourself. It’s your choice, so why lie to yourself? If you defiantly state that you are going to eat that cookie, then OWN that decision! It was nobody else’s. No one put a gun to your head and forced you to consume that cookie. Now exercise – you own that too.

If you fail to control your emotions, figure out why you do what you did! Failure is actually the beginning of success. It is an opportunity for discovering the reasons for actions. To make excuses or to believe that the devil made us do it is a delusion.

Start to recognize your emotional food triggers so you can be aware of them and begin taking steps to change your habits.

Resolve not to purchase any more processed foods or foods laden with chemicals and preservatives. Stop bringing it into your home! Let’s face it, as the adage goes: “if it’s in your house, eventually it’s going to be in the mouth.” If you don’t place junk in your house, then you won’t be placing it in your personal bodily temple of the Holy Spirit.

Life is a chess game. Develop upcoming strategic moves as you continue toward your goals. It’s similar to an athlete developing muscle memory. Before you know it, you’ll choose the correct action without even thinking about it.

Remember you are setting life goals, not weight-loss goals.

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