A New Year!

As we fully enter into the 2012 year, I am overwhelmed with all of the adds for weight loss and body sculpting programs, the new diet gimmicks and pills and low gym membership offers.  Everyone seems to focus on changing the size and shape of their bodies at the new year.  I certainly like the idea of change, but why does it have to be external?  I have been challenging my clients to focus on what to change on their inside as a goal for the new year.  Maybe this is the year to alter your obsession with food and dieting, or the year to set healthy boundaries with your friends and family members.  Setting and sticking to regular visits with your therapist or dietitian can be a resolution, or perhaps exercising for pleasure rather than weight loss or body sculpting would be a change worthwhile.  When the focus shifts to an internal place, the outcome can be more rewarding.  Think of how much anxiety ensues when you spend your energy trying to change your outside appearance.  Wouldn’t it be nice to decrease the amount of time you spend thinking about food and body image?  What on earth would you fill all that time and space with…  spending more time with your loved ones, creating good memories?  I propose you do just that!  Make a resolution this year that will create an internal change within.  I heard this saying somewhere, and it always sticks with me, especially in this moment….”a waist is a terrible thing to mind.”