Every lifestyle change starts with a change in the way we think. If we change our thoughts, we can change our actions for the long term. We can always change our actions for a short time without changing our beliefs, but never for a prolonged period of time. Wouldn’t it be nice to make some permanent healthy changes instead of cycling between healthy choices, unhealthy choices, dissatisfaction, and guilt? Here is the simple secret behind making permanent changes. DON’T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF! That’s it; it’s that easy. When we try to change things, we tend to focus on what is wrong with us; I don’t exercise, I love cheese, I can’t quit coffee, I’m addicted to sugar etc.
Don’t focus on what you are doing that makes you unhealthy. Rather, start focusing on adding small things to make yourself more healthy. 
If you eat cheese with every meal, focus on adding greens to as many meals as possible. Only change your cheese habits when you are doing so many healthy things that you no longer have an emotional attachment to cheese. If you hate to do cardio, figure out what you like to do: go for a walk, do core workouts, join a sports team.
When it comes to adding more health to your life, focus on all the healthy things that you like to do, don’t worry about getting rid of addictions. Do you like to sit in the sun? Do you like to walk around outside? Do you like to eat fruit? Do you like onions? Then add that! The more you focus on what you do want and what is healthy, the more you will want to do those things and the less you will want to do some of the self-destructive things that seem impossible to give up.
If you “fall off the wagon” don’t feel guilty, don’t beat yourself up, just think of the next opportunity to make a better choice. Remember that when we enable negative thoughts and put ourselves down for not being perfect (a goal we can never reach) we will make choices that will perpetuate that cycle of negative thinking. Break the cycle! Focus on all of the good you are doing right now, and all of the good choices you can make right now! The more you build yourself up and forgive yourself, the easier it will be to create healthy addictions!
– Laine Morales DC
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