Taste Life Blog

Yes!! September is here…a new beginning!  Sadly, the summer party is over and it’s time to press the reset button. Gary and I agree we had our fun- o- meter on max as we created one of our top summers of our lives, due in part to our sweet brother in law Dave passing away on  May 16^th at the early age of 60. What a life surprise!

Most weekends were four day extravaganzas filled with people, junk food I usually don’t eat and alcohol. (Does this sound “dietitian –like” or what?) I even found myself drinking beer after giving it up last summer.

My September reset button includes eating cleaner, minimizing the alcohol, getting to bed by 10 pm a few nights a week (Gary says he will believe this when he sees it!) and almost taking a “people break.”  I have 5 presentations in the month of September and a family vacation to Park City, Utah.  With a packed calendar I know I just can’t do it all. I am really focusing on the distinctions between wants and should.

Shoulds

“Shoulds” are those things you think you need to do. They are based on shame or duty and are externally prompted (our ego, spouse, parents, boss, society.) Examples: “I should call my mom or mom- in- law.”  “If I do this, then __ will happen.” “My spouse tells me I need to…” “I should lose five pounds.” The problems with shoulds are they make you feel like you are doing the right thing, yet they typically aren’t motivating enough to inspire change. This creates a state of continual dissatisfaction. The satisfaction in achievements is short lived. How much of your life are you living versus how much of someone else’s life are you living? Who is “shoulding” on you?

Wants

Wants are those things that are important and fulfilling to you. They are based on a craving or desire and are internally prompted.  Wants support your values and the essence of who you are. They provide you with life satisfaction and gratification and a zest to life. For example, you don’t need to exercise, but your quality of life plummets when you don’t exercise. Wants can be motivating. Think…”It is so me!””I will enjoy this!” “I’m ready to have this!” Wants are full of life and can be fun!

It seems the colder the weather, the more we quit the great health habits that we created during the summer, like taking more walks, biking or eating more fresh fruit. Don’t let the calendar and weather dictate your health habits. You can deliberately create time for YOU. Stay connected with your body, mind and spirit. Why?!  Investing in your health habits creates and energy and momentum to create what you really want. 

As you are looking at your upcoming fall schedule, examine the areas that cause you to be “crazy busy.” Pick up the phone and quit the “shoulding” on your life, say NO, and with deliberate creation you can create your best fall ever. What are you waiting for? I am “shoulding” on you to do this today.  I wish you a fall of joyful wants and a new beginning!

image used with permission from photostock