Change Your Mind…Change Your Health

I’ve been a dietitian for over 21 years and can say with complete confidence that most of us have a pretty solid idea of what we want for our health. 

That’s not the problem. 

The obstacle lies in the sizable mental gap between where we are and where we want to be. This gap exists because we tend to live our lives and make everyday choices, through the eyes of the person we are seeking to change. This is why we get so frustrated when we set out to improve our health. We start out strong and with good intentions, yet often find ourselves “back to square one” after a couple of weeks. 

You see, we can’t possibly build (and sustain) new healthy habits while stuck in the old mindset responsible for our current, unhealthy habits. 

Nourish Your Mind

Achieving lifelong health means not only cleaning up our food choices, but nourishing our mind as well. The thoughts, beliefs and perceptions we feed our mind, are just as important (if not more important) as what we feed our body. If we want to change this, we must challenge our old thinking patterns by shifting our mindset. 

We must go from thinking of the end, to thinking from the end. 

Read that last sentence once more and really let it sink in. Thinking from the end means living as if you already are that which you desire to be. For example, if what you desire is a fit and healthy body, free from aches and pains, with a strong heart, healthy immune system, and sharp brain, imagine yourself stepping into that body every time you make a decision. Really feel and believe you are that person. 

If you’re not happy with the lifestyle choices you are currently making, well then, commit right here and now to leave that version of yourself at the door and step into the shoes of the person you want to become. Then, make choices from that place…as that person. Go ahead and give it a try at your next meal or snack and see what happens. It’s truly magical!

What is Your Vision?

Of course in order for this to work, you must first have a clear vision of your desired state of health. I’m talking about that healthy, vibrant body you’ve been chasing after and longing for. What does it look and feel like? See it in great detail, as clear as your favorite piece of art. What clothes are you wearing? Where are you? What foods are you enjoying? Imagine yourself with lab results in hand…what do your numbers show? 

Shift How You See Yourself

Once you have a crystal clear picture of your desired state of health, you must immediately begin shifting how you see yourself. Why does this matter so much? Because how you treat your body—including the quality of food you feed it and the amount of sleep and exercise you give it—is directly linked to how you see your body. 

For example, if you see your body as sick, old, and broken, you will likely make food choices to support that vision of yourself. On the other hand, if you see your body as a temple, 5-star resort, and the picture of perfect health, you will subconsciously make choices to support that vision. You’ll find yourself gravitating towards choosing:

• The side of veggies over French fries at your favorite restaurant
• Sleep over Netflix
• An after dinner walk over plopping on the couch
• A yogurt with less sugar, like Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt. Check out this fun, lunchbox-worthy recipe for Make-Ahead Yogurt Parfaits.

I can’t emphasize enough, how truly powerful a simple shift in mindset can be. It is everything! In fact, I believe the mightiest tool we have for changing the trajectory of our health, is the ability to choose our thoughts.

Seek Support!

We all need a cheerleader to root us on as we journey to better health, and your Heinen’s Wellness Consultants are some of the best I know! 

You can now schedule a free one-on-one consultation with your local Wellness Consultant for one (or both!) of these services: 

• Club Fx Intro: Learn about the Fx pillars and what the Top 100 Fx buttons mean or take a store tour to find items that meet your nutrition goals. This time is yours to take a step towards optimizing your health!
• Cart Check: Want to know what to add, replace or reduce based on your health goals? Our Wellness Consultants are here to help! Make a free appointment to visit them with your filled cart before you head to the register and discuss what changes you might consider making to better meet your health goals.  

To schedule your free Club Fx Intro or Cart Check, visit heinensclubfx.com.