Often it is easier to making excuses than to make change.  In the end, then you don’t have to face the realities that you allow to be your roadblocks.  I find that too often I say, “If I really wanted to make this change, I could; I just don’t want to right now.”  Am I telling myself the truth?  No, because I decided that a change was needed — this time, I want to lose that pesky 10 and tone — and I did make a goal to make that change.  I even broke it down into SMART steps.  But I don’t like failing, so I tell myself — why start, if I know I might fail.  After all, I didn’t succeed last time or the time before that or for that matter, the time before that.

Excuses get me no where fast and expend a lot of energy that could be directed in more constructive ways.  Instead I need to set aside my laundry list of excuses and tackle things head on.  Otherwise, the cycle will continue day after day, week after week, year after year.  Eventually, my whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally berating myself for failing again and deciding things just can’t change.  I definitely want off this crazy merry-go-round.  How about you?

Today, I decided that I need to write down my excuses and rationalizations that I allow my inner voice to repeat and reinforce my doubts.

• I’m good in other areas of my life, so who cares about what foods I eat.
• This (food or whatever) will make me feel better and then I can cope with the stress (or anger or disappointment or whatever emotion is beckoning to me).
• I have given up so much already.
• I deserve a treat every now and then.  Don’t I?
• I’ll deal with my issues later, when it isn’t so chaotic or busy at home and work.
• Honestly, I can’t give it up.
• Everyone has issues.  So what, if this is mine.

It is true, I have given up many foods with gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, almonds, corn and eggs. So to say, I cannot make changes regarding my food choices would be lying to myself.  A couple of years ago I even gave up most of what I ate regularly.  I had taken a food intolerance test (ALCAT) that revealed I was reacting to 75 of the 150 foods tested!  That meant most of my diet!  Did I do it?  Yes.  Why? Because I felt better physically, mentally and emotionally just by changing up my food choices.  Today many of those foods are back; however, I do have several that I still must avoid (most of the time).

Can I make changes to my diet and nutritional choices?  YES.

My task for today is to take those excuses and write out positive countering statements to use when my inner voice tries to “convince” me that this time will be no different.