THE STRESS DIET

 

BREAKFAST

 

1/2 GRAPEFRUIT

1/2 SLICE WHOLE WHEAT TOAST

8 OZ. SKIM MILK

 

LUNCH

 

4 OZ. LEAN BROILED CHICKEN BREAST

I CUP STEAMED BROCCOLI

I OREO COOKIE

HERB TEA

 

MID-AFTERNOON SNACK

REST OF THE PACKAGE OF THE OREOS

 

DINNER

 

LARGE PEPPERONI AND MUSHROOM PIZZA

6 PIECES OF GARLIS BREAD

3 HERSHEY BARS

PITCHER OF BEER

1/2 GALLON OF ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

 

 

Sure, we can see the humor in this, but due to our tricky brain, it's not uncommon.  Going on a diet implies we'll be going off the diet.  Generally, we don't like other people telling us what to do. We don't succeed very well when we tell ourselves what to do.  If we do succeed, we usually push back against it and eventually revert back to our old behaviors.

 

WE NOW KNOW a way to get our tricky brain to cooperate with us.  

 

MUSICAL THINKING can work for you because you've gathered the information and made a decision on what would be best for you. Then you will link together the positive, "good for you decision" with the musical part of your brain.   This is more powerful, available and longer lasting than the words alone.

 

To do this, choose one mantra and sing it in your own mind, several times, several times a day. Or you can make up your own musical mantra using these guidelines.  As this begins to feel familiar, add in an additional mantra.  Keep them up as long as you like.