It's no secret that I want to be healthier. I have made great strides in the last two years to accomplish this goal. I have learned, however, that to become truly healthier, you have to change your habits. 8 weeks on Weight Watchers or whatever program isn't going to cut it for me. I need to analyze myself and figure out what habits I have grown accustom to that i want to fix and what new habits I want to implement to help me be healthier. I have come up with a 6 week plan that will hopefully help me recognize my weaknesses and turn them around. Each week I start a new goal, while continuing to press forward with the goal from last week. Each Saturday night I evaluate how I did with that goal. If I didn't "master" the goal I try again. At the end of the "six weeks" there will be an incentive. I haven't worked out the incentive yet ... maybe a pedicure or a new CD or something small. I started yesterday.
Week 1
Before eating a snack drink 8 oz of water and wait 20 minutes. Before going back for seconds at any meal, drink 8 oz water.
Rationale: I generally eat on impulse. If I want a snack from the faculty room or fridge I tend to just go for it. More often than not, it's my brain getting in the way of my stomach. I usually am not hungry -- but I feel like I need to eat. Also, I heard that your body sometimes confuses thirst with hunger. Maybe I'm just thirsty. After the 20 minutes are over, if I want to eat the snack I can. So far, in the last 36 hours or so, I have caught myself 3 times from having an extra snack. Not too shabby!
It would be fun if more people tried this with me and let me know how you are doing and what you think!! You can either use my goal or make your own. Then maybe we can go on a reward incentive together!! oooh the possibilities ... sounds fun!!!
