Life Without Limits Is Chaos

Life without limits is chaos.  No one likes chaos.  So, we have to take into consideration some limits so that we can function, coexist and thrive.  In so many areas of life, we accept this without question.  Stores post their hours.  We shop when they are open.  We do not break windows and go inside when they are closed to steal what we'd like.  That won't work.  We do not want to suffer the consequences of that destructive behavior.  We respect the limits.

Let's turn to our food choices, our sleeping time, our fitness routine.  These feel different than store hours, because it is up to us to decide where the limits should be.  We can change them from day to day depending on our circumstances.   Unlike store hours, our limits are not set in stone.  If I don't work out now, I might be able to do it later.  Yes, this is true.  If I don't want to go to bed now because I am watching Netflix, no one is going to come to my house and stop me.  The next day I might suffer fatigue and lack of focus because of lost sleep, but that's likely a minor consequence I can live with. 

When it comes to food choices, however, things can really fall apart without limits.  Most of us benefit from knowing what those limits should be to stay accountable.  Whether it is counting smartpoints, filling up on zero point foods, monitoring feelings of satiety, or managing portion sizes, these limits help us function better.  These limits help us manage hunger and keep us from overeating.  These limits can help us lose weight, maintain weight loss and promote mindfulness with our food choices and behaviors around food.  This reminds me of a comment I heard today from a member, who lost almost 100 pounds--food freedom.  Ironically, food limits actually promote food freedom.  When you know what you can eat and what you might restrict, you have freedom to make choices that work for you whether it is a planned treat or a healthy dinner or an robust late afternoon snack.  Freedom means you have the ability to decide, from moment to moment what will work. 

Sometimes just by shifting your mindset and rethinking what limits actually do for you , you realize how much freedom you have to live the life you really want.