FROM EFFORT TO EFFORTLESS By Jean C. Baltz BC-ADM, RD, CDE, MMSc, MSW Director Chronic Disease Management, RMCHCS
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ehavior change requires conscious focus, determination, simplicity, and effort. If you are seeking to change a disruptive personal behavior, then this is the plan and first step. This is where the “just do it” is necessary. The next few days and weeks there will be tenaciously fond memories, crossroads, moments lost in thought, internal conflict, sadness of loss, and expanses of time, where you may longingly wonder why you are doing this. As time passes, there is surprise that you have made it a few days, a few weeks, and then a few months. And you realize, “Ha, I am doing okay.” But do not become overly
confident, this may be a time of giving in to just “one time.” By keeping focused on the goal, recognizing that the goal is highly desired, the goal becomes excitingly closer. Reachable and wonderful, self-determination, patience and continued effort are all needed. By now, the amount of effort is reduced, but keeping the alternatives to the disruptive behavior highly valued continues to be very important. Change is complicated. Simplicity is needed to maintain focus and stay grounded in reality. Many individuals, young and old, in our community and in the world, struggle with excess body weight. Our human body caloric requirement to attain and maintain optimum height and weight is much lower than the calories we are exposed to on a daily basis. Take for example one 55oz. regular soda for a dollar at the 7-Eleven: The calories in that one soda may represent as much as one half the daily calories required for a 45 year old inactive female! Weight loss is quite straight forward. Your caloric requirement was provided to you by your mom and dad. Your genetics are the primary drivers of your metabolism. Lesser, but with some influence, is your age, weight, gender and activity level. The least of these are your current weight, and the most is your activity level. If you are unhappy with your weight and wish to lose weight, eat fewer calories than your current metabolism demands to
