My eating habits are terrible. I love the candy from my childhood, Peeps, Circus Peanuts, Cotton Candy. I have reveled in meat orgies at Churrascaria. I pay homage to the Diet Coke gods throughout the day. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be bread, with really good butter, or honey, or nutella, or cinnamon and sugar…and butter, really good butter (sigh).

I want to be a person who makes healthy, informed choices, who listens to and respects her body. I work out five to six times a week to stay healthy and strong. I aspire to live a long productive life. I have seen family members hospitalized and dead as a result of poor choices. I know I feel icky and guilty when I eat what I want, when I want. I know I’ve felt triumphant when I’ve allowed a craving to pass without caving.

I’ve started a 30-day challenge to make healthier choices when feeding my body.

So what gets my way of healthier eating?

I go too long between meals, get hangry and overeat.
I reward myself with decadent food.
I eat on the fly or don’t allow myself the time to savor a healthy meal.
I rationalize that diet coke is my “one bad habit.”
Healthy eating accountability is only to myself
I tell myself “If I eat one unhealthy thing, I’ve blown it for the day.”
I don’t keep enough healthy food at home.

What can I do about it?

Set reasonable goals around healthy eating
Commit to taking one small in the direction of healthy eating per week
Involve others by hosting a savoring dinner with tiny one bite portions
Allow myself permission to screw up. It doesn’t mean all is lost.
Remember that a craving is only an urge, it will pass, I can wait it out.
Acknowledge progress and efforts
Drink the damn diet coke

My promise to myself:

I fully expect this challenge to be a bumpy ride. I’ll take it one craving at a time. While I am cognizant that I will never be a vegan or gluten-free girl, I will move toward my value of healthier eating. I will incorporate my signature strength of appreciation of beauty and excellence into the food choices I make. I will use my curiosity and love of learning to investigate interesting recipes. I will be kind to myself when I have a set back. I will be grateful for measured progress. I will not give up on getting there.

Going Green, My 30 Day Healthy Eating Challenge