We all have a set of core values that drives our decisions and habits. Discover yours to make life less about what you do, and more about the intent behind your actions.
BY: HANNAH GRIFFITH, RDN
Do you ever think about how your values shape your thoughts around health?
We all have a set of core values, and we use those values to inform the decisions that we make as we move throughout the world. There is an activity that I have my clients do when we first meet. We sit down together, and have them write down as many of their core values that they can think of. They then spend time contemplating how they’re currently living them out, how it will look in the future, and what’s getting in the way of living out their values right now.
This gives us a foundation to start from.
It’s an origin that sets the stage and helps them understand what drives their decisions and actions. And when we identify what we hold most important in our lives, we know what to focus our time and energy on.
So often our core values do not align with the concepts of dieting and pursuing weight loss. If we value time spent with loved ones and serving others, it doesn’t make sense to also be engaging in extreme diet and exercise behaviors that preoccupy our time and mental energy.
It’s especially true when the lifestyle needed to manage weight and food intake becomes isolating. It makes it difficult to maintain strong relationships with friends if we’re always worried about our food choices in social settings. Family and holiday parties become a point of contention, rather than an opportunity to celebrate. But those negative thoughts and feelings that come up is due to the fact that you’re doing something that likely goes against your values.
When we do, we usually feel a sense of discomfort, and we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves about what’s truly causing the friction:
Is it really your family and friends, or is it your diet and exercise plan?
If you’re ready to start thinking about how to align your values with your health, try answering the following 5 questions:
1. What are your core values?
2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3. How will you think about and treat your body?
4. What food will you eat?
5. How will you move your body?
Think about your answers to these questions and decide what steps you can take to start aligning your core values with your health decisions, and what might be getting in the way of living out your values.
After all, it’s important to take the time to think about what matters the most to us in life.
Adapted from the original article.
HEADER IMAGE: ORIANA ORTIZ
Hannah Griffith, RDN is a Registered Dietitian based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is passionate about helping both men and women discover real health, by learning to nourish themselves and cultivate a better a better relationship with food and their bodies. Read more from Hannah at All In Good Health.