Have you ever wanted to make a change but couldn’t seem to stick to it? Some of the big culprits I think of are diet and exercise. We know we are supposed to eat health and we know we are supposed to workout, but sometimes it can be SO hard. We always have good intentions, but then for some reason, after two weeks, a month, even a few days, we fall right back off again. It is sort of like this never ending wheelhouse we can seem to figure out.
I’ve known for a long time that in order to stick to a certain life change, there has to be true meaning behind it. You have to be changed in a way that you truly understand the importance behind something in order for it to make a lasting impact on your life. A good example is those that are vegetarian due to their love for animals. These people have seen what a lot of meat companies do in order to provide the massive amount of meat and fish this country consumes and as a result have committed themselves to not contributing to the production. They have strong meaning and desire behind their choices, making the choice to not consume products that include meat products. Because of their strong purpose, not eating meat and meat products is easy for them. They don’t even think twice about it.
Today, I am going to share a change I am making because it was recently given meaning to me.
I have always wanted to eat cleaner. You know, eat less sugar and processed foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, etc. You see, as a nurse I have seen what a bad diet and processed foods can do to people. I have read research, watched documentaries, etc. I know exactly how much sugar I am SUPPOSED to consume a day, and I know how much sugar I ACTUALLY consume a day. I am aware. And truthfully, I don’t feel like I am horrible at this, but I do over indulge from time to time…..or maybe more often…
You see, the problem with me making this change was that while I understood what it can do to your body, and I had seen first hand the results, I didn’t have enough passion behind my choices. Yes, you read that right. I still didn’t have enough PURPOSE behind wanting to change.
Until, last week.
Until, I had consumed a majority of an extra large move theater popcorn, half of a cherry coke (not diet), a pack of those Smart tart rope things, maybe three Reese’s shaped hearts, and Lord knows what else…and I was puking it up in the bathroom in the middle of the night…did it click.
It wasn’t until I had become physically ill from FOOD that I realized that if food can make me ill just by eating it, I wonder what it is doing to my body when it gets absorbed? What is happening when my cells take whatever nutrients is in there and actually use that to fuel my body? I wonder what happens to them? One thing I know for sure, is that it can’t be good.
Anything that makes me physically ill in less than 24 hours, has got to be making me ill in the long term too. I am only 28 now, but what happens when I am 40 and my cells’ regeneration has slowed down? Or what about when I am 60, when it has slowed down even more?
This was my moment friends.
As a result, I am making a lasting change. Less processed, more real. Less sugar, more anti-inflammatory. This is my commitment moving forward. It isn’t going to be easy and it is not going to be drastic, but small, micro changes that align with a future lifestyle of eating clean, not because I have to, but because I now have a true purpose.
Moral of the story? One, I am going to be eating better, so come and follow along while I navigate this new adventure. Two, this is how you make a lasting change. It isn’t easy but you have to find more of a reason than “I should.”
As always, let me know your thoughts and questions!
xoxo,
Melissa
