Magical Thinking, Lists, and 2 Recipes
It's Cancer Season!!!
I know I'm a few weeks late, but I'm a July Cancer, so I lean into it more this month than in June.
I've been trying to use Instagram in a way that feels a little more fun for me and less like I'm just posting educational content because I think I should.
Instead, I'm focusing on what I actually enjoy sharing (which still includes educational content, but I also love pop culture, memes, TV, music, food, etc., etc., etc.)
Hopefully, it'll still be fun, entertaining, and informative for those who follow me.
I've always loved making lists, whether it's "to-do," "to watch," "to eat," or "pro/con" (shoutout to Rory from Gilmore Girls for that one).
My brain and personality (or my Virgo rising) thrive on lists. So, I've started sharing some of my lists on Instagram, and I've taken it a step further by creating monthly Pinterest boards. It's been a fun, creative outlet that feels very 'me.'
If you make a list or a monthly Pinterest board inspired by this newsletter or my IG, I'd love to see it! Tag me in it!
Here are 2 of my most recent lists: Click the image to go to my Instagram and see them there! ⬇
✨What's Been on My Mind: Magical Thinking in Weight Loss, Exercise, & Diets✨
When I think of Magical Thinking in the context of weight loss, exercise, and diets, I'm referring to...
the belief that specific and drastic actions will yield immediate and out-of-this-world results without considering the realistic efforts, time, and consistency required.
In my personal and professional experience, this kind of thinking can lead to disappointment, frustration, and even unhealthy behaviours.
✨Here are a few examples of Magical Thinking IRL (because I learn best from real-life examples):✨
✨Believing in Quick Fixes: Thinking that a single "miracle" diet, meal plan, or supplement will lead to rapid and effortless weight loss. Ex. expecting to lose 10 lb in a week by only drinking detox teas (you might lose 10 lbs, but it's probably from sitting on the toilet all week).
✨Overestimating Exercise Effects: So many people (I've thought this too!) overestimate the number of calories burned during a workout. When we think this way, we tend to use exercise as either punishment or compensation for a weekend of binge eating or "falling off" your diet. Exercise has so many benefits, but it's not some magical thing that allows you to eat whatever you want and not fuel yourself properly.
✨All-or-Nothing Mindset: Believing that one slip-up, like eating a piece of cake, ruins all progress, leading to a "F*ck it" mentality, which quickly spirals from one piece of cake to another, and another, and ice cream, chips, chocolate, and candy because you had ONE piece of cake.
✨Believing Supplements Will Be The Magic Ticket: Spending a lot of money on weight loss pills or shakes with the hope that they alone will lead to significant weight loss (sorry, but if this existed, everyone would be taking it!). You can't over-supplement a poor diet or lack of exercise.
So, how the hell do we avoid Magical Thinking???
✔️ Set Realistic Goals: You MUST take into account your lifestyle, schedule, preferences, and health history when you're working towards a goal. All of these things will impact your progress and outcome.
✔️ Focus on Sustainable Habits: Healthy habits that can be maintained in the long run, NOT just for 30 days, are the ONE thing people have in common who maintain their physique and health (with the exception of things we can't control).
✔️ Avoid All-or-Nothing Mindset: You might have expectations about how your health journey should go, but we all know that life happens, and that slip-ups and setbacks are going to be a part of it. So, expect it. Plan for it. One meal, missed workout, or sleep-in isn't going to ruin your progress.
I think the most important thing to manage when it comes to magical thinking is managing expectations.
Just like boy bands in the late 90s and early 00s set us up for mismanaged romantic expectations, so does our idea that THIS TIME, THIS DIET, THIS SUPPLEMENT will be different. Until it's not.
I don't say this to discourage you; I just want to be real and remind you that you don't have to be perfect.
You can absolutely work towards health and body goals; just keep in mind that there will be days or weekends where you're eating out, you're traveling, your kids are sick or in a soccer tournament, or your work is crazy demanding.
✔️ Ultimately, setting realistic goals, managing expectations, and focusing on consistent, sustainable healthy habits will beat any cabbage soup, grapefruit diet, or ridiculously expensive supplement line.
🥕🍰 2 Recipes I Plan on Making 🍰🥕
One of these recipes I'd like to make for my birthday, but it's TBD. I always say that and then end up picking up some treats from one of my fave gluten-free bakeries, but I do plan on making these one day, whether for my birthday or not is still up in the air.
1. Sugar-Free Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
2. LMNT Grapefruit mint refresher: This is going to be my electrolyte drink of the summer (in addition to Zevia, obvs).
Sending strength, encouragement, and practical thinking,
Alicia