Are you familiar with the all or nothing mentality? Do you have feelings of guilt and shame if you don’t diet or exercise perfectly? If you order dessert, do you eat the whole thing because you feel that you have already blown your diet? Or, if you can only fit in 10 minutes of exercise, do you feel like you shouldn’t bother?
http://fattiefatterton.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/overeating.jpg
This mental state endures overwhelming feelings of not being good enough unless it’s ALL or NOTHING.
How did this all or nothing mentality begin? Why are we, as a society, so enthralled with being perfect?
In this 4 week program, I want to nip that mentality in the butt!! I want you to feel accomplished in your workout, even if you could only squeeze in 10 minutes on the stairmaster! I want you to have ZERO feelings of remorse or guilt if you ate a piece of cake at your coworkers birthday party. I want you to appreciate life for what it is and not dwell on feelings of inadequacy to society’s standards.
This week, and for the rest of your life, just remember it does NOT have to be ALL or NOTHING.
I used to feel like I had not worked out unless I spent 2 hours at the gym. Yep. TWO hours. Two hours of my life, everyday, at the gym. I missed trips to the mall, lunches out with friends, and other social events because if I didn’t get 2 hours in at the gym, it wasn’t good enough.
If I went out for pizza, which I never allowed myself, I would eat until my stomach hurt ,because I had already done the damage. I would proceed to shame myself and go work it all off at the gym. These never ending feelings of not being good enough, of not living up to my own expectations, were overwhelming my life. I wasn’t allowing myself to have fun because I was too consumed with meeting society’s perfect standards.
The reason I am bringing you this program, is because these are the steps that worked for me. They not only helped me to shed pounds, but I also got back in to a healthy mind set with food and exercise, in order to be my BEST self.
Last night is a great example of how this plan has worked for me. I went to the gym and spent 35 minutes on the elliptical. I felt great, even though 4 years ago, that would have just been a warm up! Then I headed home, showered, and needed a snack. Brandon wanted to heat up some Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. I ate one, felt completely satisfied, savored every processed bite, and forgot about it. Except for the fact that I had forgotten how delicious they are!!
In any case, this is healthy living. This is normal living. This is feeling good and comfortable enough in your own skin to realize it doesn’t have to be all or nothing! I ate a cinnamon roll with NO guilt and NO shame. And ya know what? I’m still okay this morning, I am still ALIVE, and I still consider myself healthy!
I hope you will consider the reprecussions of the all or nothing mentality. I hope that this entry will inspire you to LET IT GO! TRUST yourself! Trust your body!
Today:
- Write down your thoughts and feelings after each meal! Trust me, this will help you learn to eat naturally!
- Remember: no foods are off limits, you just have to LISTEN to your body!!
- FIDGET-CIZE! MOVE MOVE MOVE! 5-8 today!! Don’t forget!
Do 20 back leg lifts (per leg) while doing dishes or at your computer. Really squeeze your derriere with each lift!!
(http://img4.cookinglight.com/i/2006/07/0607p34a-m.jpg)
- Let go of your ALL or NOTHING mentality! Society teaches us not to listen to our bodies, to push through the pain, to eat until we are gluttenous, but I’m telling you to STOP! Happiness is MORE than worth it!!
I have a few more things to share:
- If you have not yet entered a chance to win a FREE 30 minute nutritional phone consult with me, enter NOW!! (U.S. residents only please)!
- Craving fast food? How about this “Big Mac” alternative from Simply Scratch.com!!
- Still wondering what to buy organic? Brittany at EatingBirdFood provided a great article to help you choose!
- Looking for a healthy pasta salad to take to that 4th of July picnic? Check out A Nutritionist Eats!!
Question:
- How many of you live in a world filled with ALL or NOTHING?
[...] The All or NOTHING Mentality [...]
[...] Your BEST Self! Week 2: LOVE YOURSELF! Your BEST Self: All or Nothing [...]
I love this post because I am definitely prone to feeling this way! It’s really hard to remember that life is not about perfection but about just living and making the best choices possible. Plus berating yourself is just a slippery slope to do more not-so-awesome things. Thanks for writing this!
Fabulous post! I used to live a life of “all or nothing.” Like you, I logged two hours at the gym EVERY day, and if I missed a day (heaven forbid), then I was a mess. I’d throw it all out the window and overeat that evening. It was a vicious cycle!
Finding a healthy balance is hard work, but SO worth it!
Oh, and I LOVE Pillsbury cinnamon rolls!
I’ve actually never been an all or nothing-girl, not when it comes to food anyway
agree with you..
we should enjoy ourself sometime and stop worrying too much…
great post anyway..
thanks..
Thankfully, I’m past my All or Nothing mindset. It is not a fun way to live life!
Thanks for the link too!
I think a lot of people (myself included!) struggle with the all or nothing mentality. I always try to remind myself that NOTHING is off limits, like you said Thanks for this post because I always need to hear stuff like this
This is why I love blogging and missed it so much while I was away. I love the passion for true health many of my favorite bloggers (like you) are showing to others. I certainly used to suffer from the all or nothing mentality and have never felt happier since leaving it behind. I can’t wait to read more of your posts on the topic.
GREAT POST, ALL OR NOTHING…SOUNDS FAMILIAR..great info…
My brother is a PRIME example of an all or nothing personality. I am not like that at all though! I prefer moderation for most behaviors. Otherwise I get burned out quick!
Great post, girl! I really loved it because I’m currently fighting my own battle with the all or nothing mentality and the struggle to be “perfect”. Slowly but surely, I’m coming to see that there’s no such thing as perfect, and that the quest for perfection simply makes us more imperfect… it stresses us out and has nothing but negative consequences. Our bodies are smart and if we just give up trying to control everything and spend more time listening instead, we’ll be much better off
Again, great post!
Great post! I have definitely fallen victim to the all-or-nothing way of thinking, but have since been able to achieve a much better balance – both in terms of my behaviors and my mind set.
Think about what people put off or miss because they are breaking a routine. Thank you for pointing out it’s important to slow done and bring it all in. Three cheers for normal living!
This is really a great post. I am such a Type A perfectionist that I do have the all or nothing mentality on so many levels. I have gotten so much better about that idea with food and exercise though. It makes life so much more pleasant!
I think this is an excellent post! Thank you for sharing!
I still struggle with myself for being less-than-perfect. If I’m not 100% on my game, then bah! Might as well just let myself go. I’m getting better at it, though.
Such a great post!! I especially love the part where you suggest to write down how you feel after every meal… such a great idea!! and THANK YOU for featuring my recipe!!
Great Post! I used to be an All or nothing type, but about a year ago dealing with some health issues I started changing my ways… and feel like I am definatley in the middle now.
Amen! Everything in moderation and listen to your body! Great post
This was AWESOME! Probably my favorite post that you have written! I am tweeting it!
Love you!