Sometimes You Just Need a Pep Talk

(Tom)
Since we've been on the healthy lifestyle change, there have been a few times I have wanted to "cheat" on the program.  Fortunately, I have stayed (mostly) true to the plan.

Today at work my co-workers ordered pizza and I was faced with a decision - eat that appetizing, gooey, greasy slice of pizza or eat my meal replacement bar.  My first thought was, 'Man, it would be so delicious.  I will just eat one slice and it won't be a big deal.'  Then I thought of the big picture.  I imagined myself going to Hawaii with Beth next year and being able to take my shirt off at the beach without being embarrassed.   So, I made the choice to not eat any pizza and to eat my bar instead.

The truth is, one slice of pizza wouldn't have affected me that much.  But every day we all make a lot of small choices that add up to something much greater.  Every time I choose to eat broccoli instead of Cheetos or go on a walk instead of watching TV, I'm making the choice to better my life through my health.  Thinking about the pizza, it caused me to consider what motivates me to make the healthy decisions every day.

I am motivated internally by a mental picture of what a healthy "me" looks like.  I have that picture in my mind every day.  I love when the people who love me are proud of my success.  Those of you who know Beth and me, know that we've been married for almost nine years and we don't have any children.  I haven't talked to a doctor, but I am convinced that this was because of our health.  I am motivated by the idea I could be a dad if I was healthy.  Because of my success so far, I know how great it is to start feeling healthy and I want to share that great feeling with others who need it.  Those people motivate me to keep going.  There are times when these internal motivations just don't seem to cut it.  During those moments, I talk to my wife who always knows what to say.

When a person is starting a healthy lifestyle change, it gets hard to motivate yourself at times.  Find goals, ideas, or anything that will motivate you.  And in those times when those goals just seem too hard, talk to a supportive friend or family member who can give you a pep talk.