Simply put, all it takes is understanding the difference between:
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION vs. THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION!
.
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION:
-
Tastes so good
-
Takes the mind off stress
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Satisfies the “want”
THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION:
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Is a major cause of disease (diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer)
-
Causes energy to plummet
-
Stimulates addictive cravings
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Is a self imposed harm
.
IMPLEMENTING AN ALTERNATIVE CHOICE:
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION:
-
Not as satisfying (taste wise) as a brownie sundae
-
A rather bland concept as dessert
THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION:
-
More filling for a longer period than a brownie sundae
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Supports the metabolic NEEDS of the body and mind
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Creates an awareness of self VALUE. Avoids the destructive habitual pattern of self harm
.
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION vs. THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION!
.
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION:
-
A chance to unwind
-
A break from the rat race
-
Satisfies the need to get away from problems
THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION:
-
Weakens immune function
-
Creates joint and muscle problems over time
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Limits physical capabilities
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Provides an environment contributing to depression
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Shortens life expectancy
.
IMPLEMENTING AN ALTERNATIVE CHOICE:
THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION:
-
Tiring
-
Boring
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“I don’t like exercising!”
THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION:
-
Increases stamina providing more productive work/play time in a day
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Reduces pain and common injuries experienced as we age
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Contributes to the prevention of disease
-
Adds self confidence and self motivation
Those choosing to base life’s decisions SOLELY on THINKING ABOUT THE ACTION never allow their minds (and bodies) to experience the benefits achieved by THINKING ONE STEP BEYOND THE ACTION.
.
If these lifestyle choices
contribute to recurring FAILURE, why not consider going
ONE STEP BEYOND initial thinking by REALISTICALLY incorporating
All About Healthy Choices 
Interesting perspective. But I’d take the berries over the sundae, every time .
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Wise decision!
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While the brownie sundae looks fab, the berry parfait looks just as yummy. I know how they both make me feel afterwards, so I’ll have to go with the berries… especially as I’m here at the gym catching up on everything while pedaling away on a stationary bike, 🤗
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Ever notice as we’re in the middle of doing something healthy for our bodies and minds the need for “junk food” substantially diminishes. It’s not coincidence; it’s hormonal!
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Once you start making healthier choices, it gets a little easier each time! Because your body starts craving healthier foods and you remember how good it makes you feel.
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Until people begin experience this, they find it difficult to believe. It is true, however.
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Valuable advice
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Thank you for reading. I hope others find it useful for their lives as well.
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I really like this – this post is a great illustration of so much you share on the blog. I know the concept of putting off the immediate gratification in favor of the long-term gratification has been something I’ve really taken to heart and implemented in my own life.
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Nice to see a fellow blogger applying principles and benefiting from their outcomes. Discovering hidden motivation within readers from around the world is a challenging task. Comments like yours helps add credibility and a level of “realism” that makes readers consider the messages more seriously. Thank you for all you add to the articles I share.
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I normally work out on Monday, Wednesdays and Friday. Somehow on Wednesday morning I managed to give in to the temptation not to go out and work out because well afterall… and then I ate a little over the top throughout the day well because… and in the evening I felt ‘morose’ and edgy and yes I could trace it… so I promised myself to work out this morning… And yet, I almost didn’t because I kept thinking about the action! Finally I shamed myself to work out and took that ‘huge’ step beyond the action and et voila – I did more than I had been ‘convincing myself will be ok’ if I did just that…
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The “act of doing” is much simpler than the “act of convincing” one to do! Few people complain about healthy eating and exercising as they’re doing each respectively. It is the “obstacle” within the MIND that is the most difficult part to overcome.
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And for me each day is a new day. Sometimes I strike those mental bargains, sometimes I don’t have to and other times I try to bargain but fail. My biggest motivation I have come to discover is the she deep within my soul and none other. Like a dear friend said today, she is teaching the teenage in her 65year old drugged body to “think beyond the actions” …
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There are so many wonderful learning lessons we can all benefit from by sharing these meaningful situations.
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Action is the key!
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All it takes is a PLAN. Action is simply its implementation.
I agree 100%!
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[…] WHY SOME SUCCEED […]
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For some reason the brownie sundae does not excite me. All those berries though….now we are talking 🙂
I must say with me eating healthy, I do not think of the unhealthy. In the past even though eating healthy, if I did have something not so healthy, like a bit of dessert if out, it just never felt good.
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Some people are more sensitive to products and chemicals harmful to the body. This is often perceived as “not feeling good” after eating these substances. Personally, I need to distance myself because brownies and sundaes would be too tempting. People think I have great discipline. I know I DON’T and therefore, limit the availability of these foods. This is my approach to maintaining a healthy balance with food.
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Love this……xxkat
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Thank you, Kat
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So enlightening when you place them side by side!! And so very true in each aspect. As you know, I have committed to rising an hour earlier than I normally had been. The ‘difference’ in my day has been tremendous and I already cannot imagine doing so any differently now. Small changes often make the biggest difference!!
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Small “doable” changes over time amount to great advances in well being. Keep up the good work!
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You’re right that eating badly IS self-imposed harm ~ I hadn’t thought of it like that until I read that line in your post here!
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When people truly VALUE their existence, they recognize their decisions have great impact on their quality of life. Those who never create the time to determine self value, typically live day to day to merely exist. This is NOT a judgement statement. People have the right to make this personal decision. It is simply an observation I have witnessed over my lifetime.
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