2006 Tip #10:
G.O. Power – Fighting RUT’s

GO.  GO  FORWARD !  Goal Oriented living.  
GO Power!  The opposite of Routine Unproductive Tracts—the RUTs in our lives.

Yes, we should enjoy the moment.  Yes, we should live the moment to the max.  But to get to where we want to GO—beyond today--it helps to think carefully where that is we want to get to–and what map we will use to get there.  GO= Goal Oriented power!

Starting with “everything in moderation” as a guide, we can examine how our actions are matching our health goals-- and what adjustments should we make.
Not radical re-orienting. Small steps.  Not “crash diets” or “from Zero to Marathon” gym experiences.

We can put ourselves on “pause” and ask the question:

Pause—Slow down for a moment.  While consciously putting the fork or spoon down: “Do I really need this extra piece of bread?  This extra helping of rice or pasta?”

Or, “Why am I having this extra high calorie drink if my goal is to lose one pound in the next two weeks?  What about one less drink and one more glass of water?”

Or, “It’s been a long hot day, the commute was hectic,--should I open the refrigerator door and start preparing dinner or go to the gym or for a walk or run?  Should I have a light snack to keep my blood sugar and energy levels steady and then do some gardening or take a brisk walk?”

Or, “It’s been a long, hard day,--I deserve a treat: What snacks are available?  Candy bars or pretzels? Chips and dip?  Nuts or seeds? Sliced carrots and celery?  An apple or banana?  Raisins or trail mix?  What is better for me and what will be consistent with my goals?” 

Or, “By the tightness or my jeans, I know I’m up a few pounds.  Can I do without most of the white starchy foods (bread, rice, pasta, fries…) for four weeks and eliminate 2 to 3 pounds?”  (could avoid 200 to 400 calories per day…pounds worth over 4 weeks…)

Or, “What kind of dessert treat should I have?  Fruit or ice cream?  How much?

Or, “Since I walked for 30 minutes today, what size piece of cake or pie will be in balance with this amount of exercise?  A second serving?  How much will negate the good I did in the exercise?”

Or, “If I worked out at the gym and burned 300 calories, should I skip the toppings on the ice cream to preserve the “gain” I made in burning those calories off (and possibly even sweating)  through a workout?”

Let’s put ourselves on “pause.”  What questions will we each have?

Then GO Forward!  Out of the RUTs!

Choices.  One at a time.

This Chinese proverb seems to fit here:  “If we don’t change direction,
We’re likely to end up where we are headed.”