To have a positive outlook on life: Avoid the negative

A few days ago I suggested that you get yourself a champion.  A champion is the kind of person you can call when you are feeling down. These are the kind of person who can pick you up, dust you off and advise that perhaps a huge piece of chocolate cake is perhaps not the kind of "help" you need. Instant gratification is usually offset by a huge guilt trip afterwards, and a champion can really help you to avoid those kinds of moments.

Today's daily dose looks at the reality of our lives...have you noticed that we are surrounded by the negative. Every time you turn on the television or the radio there's doom and gloom (ok at the moment it's soccer, soccer and more soccer - but you get my meaning)...wars, bombings, murder, mayham, is it any wonder you get to work and you are depressed?

I personally avoid the news and talk back radio these days. I found that the sensationalist news stories were making me angry and tense, and it affected my entire day. I simply found it difficult to be positive when all around me was - negative, negative, negative.

But have you noticed there will be a group of people you either know or associate with on a regular or semi-regular basis that are also full of woe is me, and doom and gloom. They are the kind of people who don't have anything nice to say about christmas or the fact that the sun is shining....I'm sure you know the kind of people I am talking about. But what happens if "you" are that kind of person? Do people avoid talking to you, have you noticed that your circle of "friends" is really just a group of people having a bitch session. I hope not, but these kinds of people exist.

And speaking from experience, they should be avoided like the plague. These are the kind of people who will do everything in their power to make you feel inferior - "Oh, you're on another diet. You don't seem to be able to stick to anything for very long do you." Throw away comments that can destroy any self-confidence that you had. And what happens, if you're anything like me, you will turn to some kind of comfort food.

So limit your association with these kinds of people. Even if they live in the same house as you !! and yes it is possible.

Small, subtle changes over a long period of time can make a big difference to the way your life turns out. Just as sustained over eating over a long period of time will ensure that you put weight on, so small changes to your eating plan over a long period of time will ensure that the weight will come off. And when it does, celebrate with your champions...but try not to make your reward "food" related. Reinforce the positive, and avoid the negative.