DON’T PANIC
– Don’t look back to previous years when perhaps your efforts were abandoned and your waistline expanded due to chocolate overload. Re-living such experiences in your mind will only exacerbate feelings of guilt and doubt that this year can be better.
VISUALISATION
– Instead immerse yourself in the powerful technique of visualising how you will look as the weather gets warmer, as summer approaches and you enjoy feeling energised, confident and attractive in that beautiful outfit that will show off your slim, toned body.
REPETITION
– Daily self-talk is proven to have the strongest effect on how you feel and what you do. Imagine a STOP sign every time a doubt comes into your head as those thoughts did not serve you well in the past, creating negative emotions and therefore disappointing behaviours.
LEARN
– Think about past experiences, use them as amazing opportunities to understand yourself. Think about WHY, WHEN and WHERE overeating took place. You will soon identify strong patterns. For example, was it when you were offered chocolate and were too hungry to say no (reactive hypoglycaemia)? Or when you were visiting and felt it would be rude to refuse and risk offending your host (lack of assertiveness)?
BE PREPARED – NEVER DEPRIVED
– Who said Easter had to mean chocolate. Let’s step away from commercialism and enjoy a time of sharing, a time of fun. Why not arrange an outing, a hill walk with amazing scenery, egg painting for the kids and an exchange of non-edible gifts for the adults. If you fancy something, moderation is the key. Dark chocolate is a better option. Why not combine with berries and yoghurt, or enjoy one small chocolate treat on Easter Sunday. This is easily balanced with a nice walk or reducing carbohydrate at the next meal.
No matter what you do, keep calm, plan in advance, carry snacks and have a fantastic Easter. Just keep in mind…..Bikini season is yet to come!!
