All or Nothing

A few years ago I took an online personality test. It was a simple game where you predict how many asteroids you can shoot down in a minute. You could revise your estimate after each round. I played several rounds without ever adjusting my goal. I wanted to get

them all. I don't remember the exact number of asteroids, around a thousand I think. I knew I could get them all if I just kept trying. Each time I took out a few more asteroids, but nowhere close to my goal annihilating of ALL of the asteroids. Still, I refused to change the number. At the end of the game a message popped up that said something along the lines of, 'Perfectionist tendencies. Try adjusting your goal.'

 

That brain game stayed with me. I was glad to know how relentless I am about pursuing my goals, but it also made me realize that sometimes you have to adjust your goal to win the game.

 

The game comes to mind as I try to stop eating ALL addictive processed food. I joined Chef AJ and John Pierre's Ultimate Weight Loss 365 day abstinence challenge and did okay for the first three days, but I have given in to the junk food cravings every day since then.

The personality game keeps flashing a signal to me, "ALL or NOTHING, game over! Try adjusting your goal."

 

So, what if instead of abstaining from everything, I pick the biggest thing. Instead of saying no more alcohol, sugar, flour, oil, and salt, I go for the biggest one and tackle it, then move on to the next one. Alcohol is no problem for me to abstain from, I barely drink it anyway, maybe a wine cooler or Pina colada a couple times a year. Easy one to strike off the list. SUGAR is a different story. It is by far the biggest obstacle in my journey from SAD to WFPB. Flour, oil, salt... those are tough ones too, but the

three combined aren't even in the same arena as sugar.

And what if instead of saying "forever" abstaining, I break it down to the next bite. It seems so much more achievable that way. 

 

I am learning how to play the mind game. I first must have a very strong why, which I do. The reasons I want to abstain from eating sugar is a mile long and includes not only for the sake of my health, but to be a positive role model for my family, especially those who are struggling with their own addictions. I believe that if they see me overcome a lifelong addiction to sugar and junk food, it may inspire them to keep fighting for their freedom too.

 

Win the mind game. Win at life!

 

#winwin

Kathy G