A Glass Half Full…or Even Overflowing With AMAZING!

By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director

Realist, optimist, pessimist…there are plenty of words to categorize the patterns a person has in their thought life and words to themselves and others. Infancy, childhood, and adult influences also greatly impact what thought patterns develop, whether helpful or destructive. So whether or not you had good thought patterns modeled or not, you can change your thoughts for the better.

Did you know that negative thought patterns can be addictive?

“For many, negative thinking is a habit, which, over time, becomes an addiction. It’s a disease, like alcoholism, compulsive overeating, or drug abuse…

Negative thinking is addictive to the mind, body, and emotions. The mind becomes addicted to being ‘right.’ In this far-less-than-perfect world, one of the easiest ways to be right is to predict failure-especially for ourselves…

The body becomes addicted to the rush of chemicals poured into the bloodstream by the Fight or Flight Response. Some people can’t resist the physical stimulation (adrenalin) of a serious session of negative thinking…

The emotions become addicted to the sheer intensity of it all. The Fight or Flight Response may not trigger pleasant feelings, but at least they’re not boring.” (1)

What thoughts are you telling yourself? Are they helping or harming your progress in life, nutrition, and fitness?

Maybe there’s a time and place for negative thoughts, but I’m pretty certain we could all do with less! Imagine you’re going to take a test and talk yourself into failing, “I didn’t study enough…I’m not prepared…I’m such a horrible test taker…I failed the last three times.” Now imagine the outcome with different thoughts before even getting to the testing center. First, you imagine yourself passing the test, those thoughts lead you actually to study and prepare, and then you can justifiably imagine and tell yourself that you’re going to pass: “I studied…I know this material…I’m going to pass this test and then celebrate!”

You have an imagination, so use it well! Start noticing what thought patterns you have and then you can imagine and repeat to yourself what you want to be true. Who do you want to be tomorrow that you aren’t today? Change takes time so remember that there won’t be instantaneous results. Steady and consistent progress is what you want for sustainable long-term habits.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thes. 5:16-18

By the way, we practice this concept in our Nutrition Kickstarts with the daily habit of writing down three things we’re grateful for, as well as with Check-Ins, and 1:1 Coaching, with the question, “What are your bright spots?”

What you focus on grows. What do you want to grow in your life?

For more on changing your thoughts, read: “A Better Way to Think” by Dr. H. Norman Wright, a bestselling Christian author (wrote 80+ books), certified trauma specialist, and licensed marriage, family, and child therapist.

Sources:

(1) Book: “You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought” by Peter McWilliams