Getting Through Your Diet’s Down Days

Alisa Daglio  Body Makeover Expert

     It is a brand New Year, the sun is shining brightly, but for some reason you wake up feeling down and discouraged.  You may recognize that there is no sound reason for you to begin your morning feeling this way.  On the surface, everything seems to be fine.  Logically, you realize that not every day can be brimming with sunshine and roses--yet still, you chastise yourself for feeling as you do.  Most people have felt this way at one time or another in their lives.  I experienced this feeling myself this morning.

     On a “down day” it may be easier than ever to reach for food that makes you feel good.  After all, it makes sense that you would try a behavior that you already know to be pleasing as a means of shifting your mood.  The key to changing this spiral is to recognize that you own the power to adjust your attitude at any given moment.  The change may not happen in an instant, but it absolutely can happen if you take time out and make up your mind that you absolutely will not settle for your current mental state.  It is fine to experience the moment but ultimately it is up to you to release this feeling and replace it with a new one.  If you wait for something outside of yourself to brighten your mood for you, it is plausible you may be waiting all day.  Food will only offer temporary fix at best.  Afterward you may feel even worse than before.  The key to getting yourself back on track is to manufacture methods of “mood shifting” that work for you. 

     Four main mood shifters that have worked for me are gratitude, past personal achievement, physical activity, and future possibility.   When I feel like reaching for an improved mental state I consider all that I have to be grateful for in my life (for instance my health, the love of my family).  Everyone has something to be grateful for.  Consider making a personal “gratitude list” when you are in a good mood, and carry it with you throughout the day.  When you feel a bad mood looming, whip out the list and reflect carefully on each item.  Another list I like to carry with me is a personal achievement list.  Last night a close friend told me that my first boyfriend’s children are accepted to Yale.  Although I realize that life is not a contest I, (not having any children of my own yet) still felt a pang of “being a late bloomer.”  I reached for my personal achievement list and my unsettled feelings soon drifted away.  I tend to forget that I have led an absolutely amazing life filled with achievement!   The list reminds me that I have been busy climbing to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, owning a successful business, and helping others.  We all have achievements in our lives to be proud of.  However, if your achievement list isn’t as long as you would like, may I suggest one of my favorite mood enhancers of all…the list of “future possibility.”  I absolutely love to view this list on a daily basis.  The knowledge that motherhood, publishing my graphic novel, professional figure competitions, and expanding my business to help others worldwide are all in my future makes me ecstatic!  What are your exciting future possibilities?  Looking and feeling your best is exciting!  Perhaps that can be a positive start to your list.

     My final favorite mood shifter is exercise! Learn to create a natural high through the power of endorphin release.  Exercise may be the last thing that you feel like doing when you are in a funky mood but it is one of the best proven ways of elevating your attitude! Instead of heart pumping endorphin stimulating activity you may also opt for something active simply for fun.  Although it is warm, I am still going ice skating at the manmade outdoor ice rink nearby.  Perhaps you like bowling, golf, or tennis.  It seems like common sense…doing something active that you enjoy can transform your entire being.

     At any time when you feel your mood drifting in a negative direction, take note.  Upon consciously realizing how you feel, pause and remember these words, “Although I feel this way in this moment, I do not have to continue. I release these feelings and open the possibility for progress and happiness to enter my life today.” Try these techniques before you reach for an unhealthy “feel good” snack.  If you completely fall off the wagon, don’t waste time being angry.  Dust yourself off and start again tomorrow…a new beginning filled with unlimited possibility!