Isn't it time you squashed some ANTs?

by Angela Reed-Fox

Make yourself comfortable, the chances are you’re meaner to yourself than you think. If that’s the case (and it probably is) reaching your goals doesn’t need to be as hard as you’re making it.  

Another reason people tend to  diet over and over again is because they’ve not addressed the underlying causes. It’s a lot like trying to open your front door with dynamite rather than with your door key. Yes, it’s pretty quick, but it’s not a viable long term solution (except for the people selling front doors!) What happens is you get something that works temporarily, but then there are other consequences you may not have considered, such as a slow metabolism and no viable plan for maintaining your gains – which means it isn’t long before you’re back where you started, but finding it a little harder than the first time. 

So what are ANTs? 
ANTs are 'automatic negative thoughts' and you might have them about anything – but we frequently have then around our relationship with food. For example have you ever had these thoughts? 

• I have no willpower 
• I’m bad at that 
• I always fail 

• I’m going to be naughty and eat it anyway 

These are all negative – and, I’d argue, they’re all untrue. Granted, I can’t see you while you’re reading this, but I’ve never met anyone for whom these very common thoughts were true. 

The first three lock you in a state of defeat – so if you miss reaching your goals, you think “Ah, that’s because I have no willpower,” etc.  The fourth one, the cheeky thing, makes whole swathes of the food spectrum off-limits, and it makes you a failure if you ‘trespass’. Of course, with a healthy balanced lifestyle, you don’t need to cut anything out – you just eat less of some things and more of others.  

If you do nothing else for yourself this week, just do this one thing - listen to how you talk to yourself – what are your ANTs? It’s time to recognise them for what they are and squash them.  It’s only once we know what we’re dealing with that we’re able to make real, meaningful change. 

If you're interested in building your willpower, click the button below to take my free 5-day Willpower Booster course.   

start my 5-day "Boost your willpower" course today

join cardia inside for tips, resources and offers