Ever felt like you simply cannot resist that piece of black forest – even though it makes no logical sense to eat it at all – let alone at 10 o’clock at night?
And then wrestled with yourself after you’ve eaten it – maybe even feeling bad because you weren’t able to not have it?
It can literally feel like we’re torn between two different mind-sets. One that says ‘Go on! Do it! Life’s too short not to!’ and the other that berates us when we do!
Take heart – simply being determined can help us have more of what we do want in our lives, although when we rely on will power alone – we cannot win. The number of times in the past I’ve attempted to stop myself guzzling down my favourite, high glycaemic index* treats by trying to say ‘no’ in my head repeatedly – only to feel rubbish when they’re ALL gone minutes later.
I had a feeling back then, that there had to be a better way, and I was right.
Douglas Van Praet’s** insights are a breath of fresh air and really summarise well the reason that actually adjusting our habits, towards our Healthy LifeStyle goals, is the way to go for long-lasting change.
He talks about the way we really have 3 distinct brains-parts – housed within one skull – that are driven in totally different ways. So that when we’re struggling to resist the chocolate cake, we’re getting 3 distinct messages 1. ‘Eat it, because I need food to live’ (which comes from our ‘physical brain’),
2. ‘Guzzle it now, because it’ll taste fabulous’ (which comes from our ‘emotional brain’), and
3. ‘Probably better not because it’s not going to be good for me – although I ‘need’ it and like the taste, so what the heck?’ (which comes from our ‘rational brain’)
Our primary emotional brain overrides everything else, because our ‘automatic’ systems are set up to go for the short term benefits. The theory is that we’ve evolved via survival tactics, so we go for food when we have it (especially the sugars and fats, for general body fuel – and for our brain’s voracious appetite.)
Logic goes out the window.
Are we doomed then, to wolf down anything in our line of sight? Not quite.
When we build up our ‘muscles’ for healthier LifeStyle choices, and repeat them over time, we can create new neuronal pathways to ‘re-wire’ our brains. Given how ‘plastic’ our nerve cells are – with time, practice and patience we can ‘turn the Titanic around’.
If you’re keen to find out the best way for you to start moving towards more of what you do want, pop me an email at fi@fijamiesonfolland.com , with ‘Discovery session’ in your email title. Best to mention this article, so we can make sure you get a slot, as these sessions are often booked up in advance.
Time to move from leaning on will power and time to create new patterns – so your resolutions go year-long, rather than the average 15 days at the start of January!
*High glycaemic index foods (or high G.I) release their sugar into our bloodstream faster and cause a spike in our blood sugar – which can cause our arteries to spasm for several hours afterwards…not ideal! Check out the recipe ebook; ‘Delicious eating…naturally,’ that’s packed with super tasty, low GI options!
http://www.amazon.com/Delicious-Eating-Naturally-Fi-Jamieson-Folland-ebook/dp/B00MNL1WH4
**Douglas Van Praet – Unconcious Branding
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O., I.N.H.C., is The LifeStyle Aligner. She’s an experienced practitioner since 1992 in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified Osteopath, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, and Health Brand Ambassador.
