Creating The Perfect Diet Creating Rule 8

So today, after many conversations with my sister, today's newest addition to our Creating the Perfect Diet list hit like a bolt of lightening. As fast as it hit me, it knocked me off my feet. Not literally of course, but emotionally. So far, these rules have been fairly easy for me, but each one has also been slowly changing me. I hope that you are beginning to feel the same. When the awful, sinking feeling of guilt crept in as my car meandered its way towards Tastee-Freeze today (darn muscle memory, I was not in control! ) I remembered yesterday's rule. Glancing at my little guys faces, their hair still damp from an afternoon at the pool, their eyes glassy and reflecting the image of that enormous plastic cone mounted on the roof of the little building and I thought "..avoid self-imposed rules that may be causing you to miss out on life's opportunities for happiness". Car doors slammed and we were on our way to soft served heaven! When I felt Mr. Guilt come aknockin' again on the drive home, I remembered Rule # 4.."feel free to press re-start at any moment!" and I sent Mr. Guilt flying out the sunroof, and scooted over to allow room for "Mr.You-Only-Ate-The-Kiddie Size-Its-Fine". So these rules really can make a difference, there really is a change moving through the way I approach my days and my diet. Today however, I knew immediately what the newest rule would need to address, and I wasn't liking it. I already mentioned one specific word several times...let's see if you can pick it out of this post ( It's like Where's Waldo?-The Blogging Edition ). It's guilt. It is such a big, nasty part of my day. I don't know when it started or where it came from, but it's with me..most days, all day. Guilt from time not spent with my kids, guilt from too much time playing with the kids when there was house work to do, guilt about leaving the house to go to work, and guilt when there isn't enough money to buy everything they want. Guilt can become so common for me that my stomach will begin to knot and ache before I can even begin to think about why I feel guilty this time. It must stop. When your gut has you doubling over with pain spasms and you have to actually stop to remember what it was that you were planning to feel guilty about..there is definitely a problem that needs a re-set!

As a kid, I remember watching Ralphie in the Christmas Story have his mouth washed out for saying "Fudge". I could not understand this at the time, although it didn't keep me from loving that movie. As strict as my parents were, even I could say the word "fudge", for crying out loud! Years later I understood and, if you will forgive me a moment of bragging, I went on to become somewhat of an expert in words that one could get away with saying, and the ones you most absolutely would get busted for. I was once grounded for a full week for saying ( cover your eyes Mama ) P-I-S-S. So my mother may need some smelling salts when she reads what I am about to tell you. The "S" word is not a swear. Nope! It's not a cuss, it's not a dirty word, it's not even improper. Selfish. Once in awhile, to preserve our selves, to be ourselves, we must be selfish. I know that yesterday I said you must be willing to slightly alter your diet, or your workout, or your supplements to allow in happiness...and you must! But I am talking about something different. That rule simply addresses rigidity, and that is not the same as this "placing yourself last every time" disease I am speaking of. I cannot tell you how many of the mom's and dad's that I know, do this. They simply do not work out, do not meal plan, or even cook for themselves, because the day is packed so full of meeting everyone else's needs, there is simply nothing left for themselves. Nothing. I am so in this group. How many times have you heard, said, or thought "It's hard for me to diet, because I still have to make dinner for everyone else, and making a meal just for me takes too much time!"? To be a better person, wife, husband, mother, father, employee..whatever...we must put ourselves first. I am not suggesting your children go hungry, the laundry pile up, or that your cubicle at the office be empty..but just that we acknowledge and put first our own needs some of the time. I am sure we have all heard this before, but have we ever taken it into our hearts? It is okay to say that your workout matters, that your new diet matters, that it's ok to take some time to pack your snack baggies of baby carrots, or to jump on your bike for a ride around the neighborhood. If you need permission, here ya go "BE SELFISH, IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!". The best part of this rule, I am certainly hoping, is that by being a bit more selfish I will become a more healthy, happy energetic person who has more to give to others. I hope that I can be more loving, giving of my time more freely. It is a challenge, but it must be met and be conquered if we warriors will ever be able to achieve our weight loss and life goals.

So here is the daily recap:

Creating The Perfect Diet

Rule #1

Eat with clear focus and intent.

Rule #2

Once a day think about the cost of not losing weight.

Rule # 3

Create a "Perfection List" and read it daily

Rule # 4

Give yourself GRACE whenever it's needed, feel free to press Re-Start at any moment!

Rule # 5

EVERY day, connect with another person in a real conversation about how you are really doing in your life...

Rule # 6

Reward yourself in ways that benefit and uplift you, and will not cause hurt in the long run.

Rule # 7

Be a Rule Breaker! Avoid self-imposed rules that may be causing you to miss out on life's opportunities for happiness!

Rule # 8

Selfish is not a bad word, it is the only means to becoming a healthy person.

So that's it for today! Live, listen, and love...yourself. And remember the lesson of Ralphie, who in a moment of truth, with his dream of owning the Red Rider BB Gun hanging in the balance, backs down! Ralphie: "eh, I was just kidding, even though Schwartz is getting one. I guess I'd just like some Tinker Toys."

Don't settle for the Tinker Toy life my friends, when you want to have BB Gun life!