Let go of favorite foods, eating patterns, favorite restaurants, etc.

Lessons in letting go

If there was one lesson I learned in the last few weeks, it was about letting go. I’ve been traveling all across the country for work–from meetings in LA to a medical conference in Baltimore. But what does that have to do with letting go, you wonder?

Well, on my flight back from LA, I left my iPad on the plane and haven’t been able to track it down. By now, I’m sure that it’s gone for good, never to be seen or heard from again.

It’s not a tragedy, of course. An iPad is just a thing after all. But, it did have a lot of information on it. Plus, it’s one of those things that, once you have one, you wonder how you ever lived without it…Which got me thinking that I did live without one for a very long time. But having it has become a habit for me. And that got me thinking about other habits that are tough to break–namely  eating and lifestyle behaviors. But to move forward and achieve the changes you want not only out of life but also in your health, sometimes you just have to let go of the past. Past favorite foods, past eating patterns, past favorite restaurants, etc.

I know that it seems difficult at first. But I’m living proof (don’t forget that I used to be 80 pounds heavier than I am now and am currently in the best shape of my life) that when you get right down to it, you might be surprised to discover that it’s NOT that hard to let go of the preconceived notions we all have in our head about certain things–especially health and lifestyle behaviors.

So, today, I want to encourage you to try to just let go of one thing that is holding you back from achieving your health goals, whether it’s the bagel you typically grab on your way to work in the morning or that slice of birthday cake someone passes you at a party.

Really think about it… Will that be the last bagel on the planet? Will that be the last slice of birthday cake you ever get offered?

Believe me, the bagels and the birthday cake will still be there long after you pass them up the first time…and saying “no” to the things that tempt  you will get easier and easier each time you do it–especially when you see that letting go of your old habits actually opens the door for things that are much more satisfying…A hearty mushroom and cheese omelet for breakfast, for instance…Or a homemade chocolate truffle for dessert.

You see, letting go isn’t about depriving yourself–it’s about making room for things that are even better than you could have imagined. And that’s what my program is all about:  simplifying your life and your health, and actually enjoying it every step of the way.