Your BIGGEST Self-Sabotage
Yesterday you learned that self-sabotage can be subconscious, and that isn’t limited to “bad” habits or procrastination.
ANY behavior can be self-sabotaging if it interferes with your goals.
Are you exercising? That’s the BIGGEST self-sabotage.
Most of us unknowingly use exercise as an excuse to eat more.
In a recent study, Group A was told they were taking an “exercise” walk before lunch, while Group B went on a “scenic” walk. (Group C went straight to lunch, no walk, as a control group).
Both groups walked the same distance at the same pace.
Group A was told how many steps they took, calories burned, etc. Various plants and animals were pointed out to Group B.
People in the “exercise” group took LESS salad and MORE chocolate pudding (35% more!).
Group A also took TWICE as many M&Ms a few hours later during “snack time”!!
When we believe we have sacrificed, we compensate by rewarding ourselves.
Here’s a prime example:
(No matter how hard the workout was, there’s no way two huge scoops of ice cream and a brownie is less calories… “reward” self-sabotage!)
I used to consciously think like that too… “Oh I worked out, I can totally eat this.”
I believed eating poorly wouldn’t count, or my exercise would cancel it out…
That was my CONSCIOUS (albeit misplaced) self-sabotage.
BUT what about all the subconscious self-sabotage?
Like taking extra pudding without the mental justification beforehand? Egads!
How many times did I stop for ice cream or eat a bigger dinner because I felt I earned it?
Eventually I came to realize you can’t exercise off a bad diet, and that one hour on the treadmill could be lost in the two minutes it takes to inhale junk food.
WHAT you put in your mouth matters far more than exercise (especially if unknowingly use exercise it to eat more).
Take Maria, for example. My pal Maria cleans houses. When I told her she was an exercise superstar (and she is! Mopping, scrubbing, lifting heavy objects and climbing stairs 9 hours a day) she suddenly GAINED 10lbs.
“I told myself it didn’t matter if I ordered more guacamole or a second glass of wine because I was exercising. It was like learning I exercised gave me carte blanche to do things I normally didn’t. To slack on my nutritional excellence and meal planning.”
Self-limiting phrases can also be why you’re not achieving important goals.
Have you ever said… “I’m doing the best I can?”
Ever notice you only say this when you fail to hit a standard (set by you or someone else)?
Like self-deprecating thoughts, self-limiting phrases degrade your potential AND limit your future growth by creating a glass ceiling.
“I should cook my meals ahead, but I’m such a procrastinator” is hypnosis!
If you’re going to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, why not make it a good one?
YOU DESERVE BETTER.
In tomorrow’s blog post I’m going to share 3 steps to identify + ELIMINATE your self-sabotage.
If you’re ready to STOP the subconscious self-sabotage, check this space tomorrow.
But right now, I want you to think about the phrases you say that unknowingly degrade your potential, your work, your goals, etc.
Will you stop saying “I can’t” or “I’m doing the best I can”?
If yes, leave a comment saying “I will do better.”