Four areas of modification.
There are four areas excluding self-defeating behaviors you must modify or change in order to create a successful weight management environment.
These are your activity level,
Home environment,
Time management,
And stressors.
You cannot make modifications in all of these areas at once.
Therefore,
Begin working on these areas by completing the preliminaries.
Then take however long you need to complete each of the areas,
One at a time.
You should plan on taking at least one month for each.
Let's start by defining each area of modification.
First is activity level.
This is the amount of exercise and other less structured physical activities you engage in.
It is important to recognize that movement in any form can be considered activity.
Second is home environment.
This is the way in which your home is set up to deal with your relationship with food.
How tempting foods are handled,
Where you eat,
Etc.
Third is time management.
This is the way in which you have structured your eating pattern,
Your rest and relaxation,
Your social life,
Your obligations,
Etc.
In relation to feeling and control of your life.
The fourth is stressors.
This is the way in which you have planned for expected stressors such as holidays,
Weekends,
And planned activities in relation to food intake,
And whether you are practicing new,
Effective strategies to cope with the unexpected stressors that occur.
In order to understand your current status in each of these areas,
Answer the following questions.
What is your current activity level?
In what room of your home do you eat most often?
In what other room in your home do you eat frequently?
What kinds of activities do you engage in while eating?
What if any foods do you keep in view?
How long does it take for you to finish an average meal?
What are the most difficult times of day for you to make food choices that are most appropriate for you?
What situations in your life make it difficult for you to practice your new habits and attitudes?
During what conditions and in what situations do you find it most difficult to make positive food choices?
By having answered these questions,
You now know your needs,
Problems,
And concerns in relation to each of these four areas.
Start with one of them and begin making appropriate changes.
You can begin by spending one week on each area.
Then,
After four weeks,
Determine your long-term goals for each of the areas.
Begin working on them one at a time.
Be patient with yourself and remember that quality work takes time.
