10% of the battle

 Ahh 3AM again. At least you can always count on the Golden Girls at this hour. 

17 days to go. The changes I've made have really been working and easy to adjust. They feel sustainable. The biggest problem that I have seen is not keeping the right 'Go To' foods around that I know work for me. 

Another (typically) unavoidable situation would be 'Social' situations. Obviously, COVID has made this less of a problem, but something to think about, nonetheless. I like to use these times for my 'cheat' meal. Side note: I really dislike that term though, because it puts a stigma on it. Instead, when faced with these times, I prefer to handle in a way that is also sustainable. I don't announce that I can't eat certain foods because of my 'diet'. This draws attention. For me, when I am trying to make these life changes, it is best not to draw attention. This is a personal change and not something to be on display. Instead, I make good choices. I plan ahead with meals, but also do the best with what I am given. I try not to be difficult in any given situation and fit within the food guidelines to the best of my ability. I find that the less you can make these changes a 'thing' the easier they are to stick. 

Anyway, back to the title, 10% of the battle. When it comes to a healthy lifestyle and/or weight loss, everyone always comments on nutrition being one percentage and fitness being another, always adding up to 100%. I disagree. With this notion, it is no surprise to me that people have such a hard time losing weight and keeping it off. 

So what is my 10%? I feel that nutrition and fitness are only 10% of the battle. The other 90% is the rest of your life. Hah...now the fitness and nutrition part seems easy, doesn't it! 

I'm a thinker and a seeker, I have been at this for 20 years...that is a lot of time to ponder. I treated fitness and nutrition as 100% for a long time and it was an uphill battle. It wasn't until I adjusted the ratios and made room for other life challenges that I started seeing positive changes...and it was WAY easier. I learned that once I shifted the focus to address other imbalances my life (finances, relationships, mental health and spirituality) that my body naturally craved a healthier lifestyle. It wasn't a 'battle' anymore. As I worked through things and gained more control of the other 90%, it was as my body wanted to return to the natural state, in harmony with the universe. 

I'm pretty sure that anyone reading this that is dealing with the same cycle will ditch this advice. I would have too. It is not a quick fix, you can't get there in 30 days. Just remember, if you do decide to ditch knowing it might not be a quick fix, then chances are that you will be back in the same position over and over again in the future.