When we cheat or kid ourselves, the only person who feels lousy is number one. There is seldom anyone who can be meaner to us, than our very selves!

So how can we put a stop to our self-sabotaging behavior; especially when a constructive part of our brain- is pleading for our sensibility to: jump back into the driving seat of our minds?

I think the answer is within our behavioral patterns, when we’re midst cheating ourselves; and therefore, it’s helpful to try and identify whereabouts: in our many aspirations, or dreams, that we find our heads stumbling.

Here are some of my examples, together with how I try to avoid cheating number one:

Nutrition: we all know the importance of consuming at least five fresh pieces of produce daily. I’m lucky because I love vegetables…yet I used to be rubbish at consuming fruit. So about two years ago, I wrote down my daily consumption of these essential dietary requirements, for about three – months, discovering that I was averaging three portions daily. Therefore, I only had to remember the number two. I’ve found all manner of techniques to help me enjoy more produce since: sauces / smoothies / soups, and now I no longer cheat myself over my nutrition. Yes, of course I still enjoy fast food, I simply consider it a treat: another mechanism, or mind-shift to help prevent me from eating it frequently.

Try jotting down your current consumption because wholefoods truly are natures pharmacy. You will feel far better once you’re on track, and frozen and tinned varieties count.

 

Exercise: It was only two years ago, when my disability worsened, that I finally bothered to exercise daily. I started out with simple stretching routine, helped by the tunes of Blondie to keep me motivated. I soon moved on to specific exercises bestowed on me by my physiotherapist – who originally recommended fifteen reps of about three different routines. Knowing that I might face surgery; I’d been building up the reps, and differing moves to now sixty. Of course, the cerebral palsy is challenging and painful. So, to prevent myself from cheating: I take little breaks, often doing per twenty sets at a time. I remind myself the purpose is consistency and not speed.

 

Sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is vital for us all; it’s when the body heals itself, and we all need between six – eight hours each night. Achieving this is hard for me, and it is work-in-progress, since physical pain and hormonal changes can be interruptive. But I am, at last being strict about what time I go to bed, and I can already feel the benefit in simply modifying my behavioural pattern.

I work on a nightly basis so that I keep mindful about this important lifestyle change, and no longer cheat myself, because I’m honest to self about my needs. Frankly, there is seldom a good-enough film to stay up for anyway, and being mindful about sleep hygiene, helps encourage me to bed.

 

I hope you find this helpful.

 

SUNNY wishes,

Emma x