By Lila Herrmann

I stood gazing into the refrigerator, waiting, apparently, for some food to throw itself at me to satisfy an undefined craving. I wanted something, just didn't know what.

I then realized that there was no food visible on the shelves. Oh, the refrigerator was packed. But mainly Styrofoam containers in an array of sizes and colors stared back at me—my family's favorite restaurants and eating habits on display right there in the Frigidaire side-by-side. A psychologist could do a case study on all of us, right from our kitchen.

We try to live green at our house so the amount of Styrofoam caused serious dismay. But the absence of food, the absence of real food, was more troublesome. I tried to argue with myself that it was due to the holidays and everyone being off work and out of school and it was a special occasion and so what if we ate out, we would be back to normal soon enough. I knew, though, that those Styrofoam containers represented “normal” for us.

Thanksgiving and Christmas included some delightful home-cooked meals—big spreads with all kinds of special dishes, everyone oohing and ahhing over their favorites and the festive presentation. Once the holidays ended and guests left, so did the effort put into making meals.

The toxic containers for the leftovers represented just the tip of the iceberg. How much money had we spent on all those meals? And what did we gain? Weight, mostly. It certainly wasn't nutrition. We habitually filled up on high-sodium, high-carb, high-fat dishes that brought us fulfillment—for the 20-or-so minutes we were eating. After that, reality sunk in. Sluggishness due to the junk we ate, quickly returning cravings due to the lack of nutritious intake, and guilt over impending weight gain/health damage. Good times.

So did I slam the fridge shut and immediately elevate my consciousness to that of an enlightened soul, eating only raw food grown in my own yard, never touched by pesticides? Um, no, I live in the real world, not in an ashram hanging with Elizabeth Gilbert. But I did start thinking. And planning.

There was no way we were going to become a 1950s sitcom family overnight, with me as the apron-wearing mom cooking three meals a day from scratch. However, change was called for and even small changes would make a huge difference. And I knew this was about so much more than eating better. We needed to live better.

As someone who typically breaks New Year's resolutions before the ink has dried, I knew I needed help propelling my family into a new year of new habits. So I turned to Unity minister and life coach Rev. Carla McClellan for some tips on getting started on the road to a life of substance, not junk food.

Coach Carla offered me these tips:

Be clear about your intentions. When we take action from an intention, it has more meaning and satisfaction for us. It becomes a privilege, not a chore. If you have the intention to be physically fit, find a friend or family member to support and encourage you. Start slowly. Simply begin. Big steps are not required. Be grateful for your body right now.

Promise yourself to take an action every day that has meaning for you. For example, “Today I won't eat out.” “Today we will eat more colorful vegetables.” “This weekend we will all cook a healthy family meal that is fun.”

Tell yourself the truth. Did you do what you said you would? Be honest and be compassionate with yourself. Are you following an old belief that is limiting you? Let it go!

Celebrate every success, every change that is made.

Give yourself as a gift each day—a kind word, a smile, a hug to someone you meet.

Be grateful for everything. Gratitude is powerful. Change requires some discomfort but suffering is optional. Being grateful puts a new perspective on everything. Remember that what we focus on is what we draw to us—gratitude allows us to be in peace and harmony with ourselves. And what we praise increases, so praise authentically the good that you see.

Reading through Coach Carla's tips, I realized I am very grateful for the new year unfolding in front of me, so full of potential. I wouldn't endlessly criticize a friend for having less-than-perfect days, so I am no longer going to treat myself that way either. So here's to a year of success, compassion and celebration!

You can contact Rev. Carla McClellan at lifecoaching@unityonline.org. Listen to her on Unity Online Radio program, Spiritual Coaching at 3 p.m. (CT) on Tuesdays. 

 

 

 

 

 

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