Every January 1st or Monday morning, millions of Americans try a new diet or lifestyle regime. One half of all women and one quarter of all men are currently on a diet. But many fail. Why? They have a plan and they have the structure all written out, but life just happens and they fall, it is hard to pick it back up. Tragedy strikes all of us; how do we handle it and how can we avoid mishaps in the future?

This article is dedicated to those who struggle. It focuses on how to change behavior and how to avoid the typical obstacles that many people face when they try to change a sedentary lifestyle of poor nutrition to a more active and healthy one. It is not so hard. If you follow the ABCs of fitness that many educators use when they are assessing the academic and behavioral needs of their students, you can also succeed.

A stands for Antecedent. This is how behavior begins to occur. Dieters and lifestyle changers must establish what happens before they begin to indulge in an unhealthy habit. Is it stress, boredom, or another trigger? Knowing your weaknesses will help you see the root cause of your behavior and avoid that trigger.

B stands for Behavior. Once the person has identified the source, they must also identify the specific behavior that they want to change. Overeating can stop if someone understands what causes the antecedent and avoid it. If you overeat at buffets, don’t order the buffet; instead, order something else so you can take part of the meal home. It not only allows you to eat less but is cheaper because you don’t have to buy that meal later in the week. When the food comes to your table, divide the meal by half or into thirds.

C stands for Consequences. What happens after you perform the behavior? How do you feel? Guilt or remorse is the common feeling. Being stuffed or miserable is another. These feelings or emotions can be stored in your memory bank for the future and help you make successful lifestyle changes. When you identify typical behavior using the ABCs, you can pinpoint the behavior and plan what you will do in the future. Remember that life is a journey and no one is perfect; it is just what we do with the setbacks that change us. Once we discover our ABCs, we can avoid those shortfalls in the future. Life is the best teacher.

by Chris Chapan

Popularity: 3% [?]

Related Posts

• Aerobic Fitness: Keeping Yourself In Top Condition
• Finally visited the gym
• Slacker Belly