Is Mindset the Most Important? Mastering the "M" in M.E.D.S.

March 18, 2022

In a previous article, the importance of remembering your M.E.D.S. (mindset, exercise, diet and sleep), I explained how these four aspects are key to a healthy lifestyle and reduced risk of disease.  While all four aspects are important, without mindset, can the others be achieved?  Why is mindset everything when it comes to a healthy life?

Get help improving your health and mindset with nutrition and lifestyle coaching.  Book a free discovery call to get started.

Mindset is the established set of attitudes held by someone.  Start thinking of the people around you and by their actions, you might be able to guess some of their established attitudes.  The best thing about mindset, you can adjust it.  It's not determined by genes, environment or other unmodifiable factors.  It's modifiable meaning you can work to change it.  Here are five tips to achieving a mindset of health.  

1. Shift your focus from the scale to your actions.  Many people get into healthier eating in order to lose weight, but if the scale is your main focus and measurement, it's almost guaranteed to let you down.  Weight can be one aspect of your healthy lifestyle, but measure your actions, like exercise sessions per week or reducing your fast food meals, for long term success.
2. It's you against you.  Stop comparing your progress or plan to others.  The truth is that you have no idea what they are doing behind the scenes or their personal health issues.  Picture yourself 6 months from now as the healthy person you strive to be.  Then, plan what needs to happen consistently to get there.  There will be bumps in the road that will test you and help you grow even stronger in your health mindset.  
3. Repetition will help instill your healthy mindset.  Remember flash cards for science class?  I sure do.  Flipping them over and over until the definition and image of the Krebs cycle was burned in my brain.  But it worked.  You can do the same for the mindset you want to achieve.  Post quotes or phrases that match the mindset in obvious places:  mirror, kitchen, phone lock screen, laptop background and planner.    
4. Catch and rephrase negative thoughts about your health.  "I'll never be comfortable in a swimsuit."  Not with that attitude!  When you hear yourself saying these things in your head or out loud, stop and rephrase it.  Say instead, "I'll be more confident in a swimsuit when I know I'm eating healthier and going on regular walks."
5. Find people who bring you up, not down.  Ditch the Debbie Downer's in your life.  That doesn't mean you have to completely avoid them but you can certainly tell them how to support your healthy lifestyle.  For example, tell the person who isn't supportive or constantly nagging on you about your boring healthy eating/no longer wanting to be their party buddy, you still love them and would love his or her support because what you're doing isn't easy.  Be specific, tell the person something they can do to be helpful, like meeting up for a cooking class instead of happy hour.  Nobody wants to be the last person at the party and they will do anything to convince you to stay.  Stay strong, leave when ready. 

It takes practice to change your mindset towards health.  It's also hard to go back once you reach it, making mindset 100% worth it and incredibly important to your healthy future self.  

Also in Blog