Linear Thinking

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  Linear Thinking vs. Process Thinking
  
  I don’t know about you, but my experience with weight management looks more like the Big Bay Highway than I-75. It’s not a “straight ahead” experience. There are hazardous curves into cookies and late night munchies. Hills where the scale creeps back up. Then easy down hill grades when everything is going well and scenery is great.
  
  “Freeway” thinking when it comes to weight management simply doesn’t work. Expectations of speedy, steady weight loss will only lead to frustration and discouragement. Expect to have to learn to maneuver through some rough stretches.
  
  If you’ve strayed off course, here are some suggestions to get you back on track:
  
  · Renew your commitment. Past behavior does not have to dictate the future.
  
  · Review your diet logs and do some problem solving. Is it lunch or late night eating that is sabotaging your progress?
  
  · Check you mood. Fixing your mood with food is just a brief solution.
  
  · Focus on the positive. Even if you’ve gained weight recently, you still have probably turned down a number of eating opportunities. Give yourself some credit, and practice more of that behavior.
  
  · Get more exercise. Going through the motions alters the emotions.
  
  · Focus on making healthy choices. Be good to yourself; eat nutritious foods!