Habit 3 of Chronically Fit People: Put First Things First and the First Thing is Not Food

[This takeoff on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People began Saturday where you’ll find the complete list of 7 Habits of Chronically Fit People.]

Since Monday you’ve begun to rev your engine by packing more natural movement into every day (Habit #1) and focus on smaller fitness goals like to lose (or gain) just 2 pounds or 5 pounds (Habit #2).

Today we’ll examine Habit #3.

Stephen Covey’s #3 Habit of Highly Effective People is to “Put First Things First”.

My #3 Habit of Chronically Fit People is to “Put First Things First and the First Thing is Not Food”. This is just an extension of Covey’s – but an important extension for people who want to learn the secrets of the chronically fit.

Covey advises people who want to be highly effective to identify their priorities and make time for them.

When the chronically fit identify their priorities, food is pretty far down the list. However when they do eat, they enjoy their food. They eat in a balanced way. No extreme diets. No forbidden foods. They don’t reward themselves with food, but neither do they deny themselves something their body is craving.

For the chronically fit, food is not a life goal; it is a means to an end – the pleasurable nourishment of a fit body. The chronically fit know how to listen to their body.

If food has taken on a bigger role in your life than it should have, how can you reverse priorities and tune in to your body’s real needs? People in 12-step programs are taught that no one can give up their demons until they reach a personal low.

You have to be ready to make changes for a healthier you before you can really commit. Are you ready? With Habits #1 and 2 starting to build a foundation for fitness, think about the things you are missing in life because you’re not fit.

What would be more important and satisfying to you than food? Is it the ability to play with your grandchildren? To travel and sight-see with your loved ones? To not suffer the stares and unkind comments of strangers? To be independent as long as possible? To avoid a(nother) heart attack?

How do you want to reorder your priorities with food being further down the list? Write down all of the things you would like to give more time to. Imagine your life with less time obsessing about and eating food - and then feeling guilty about what you ate or didn't. You could be reading a good book or taking a nature walk. You could travel more, play with the grandkids ...

Be fit at 50, 60 and beyond. Make a written list of the things in your life that are more important than food. Then plan more time for them and start shifting the focus away from "demon food".

Tomorrow we’re ready to tackle Habit #4.

Tags: 7 habits of … , healthy weight maintenance, achieving a healthy weight, love your body, put food in perspective, choose healthy food, eat healthy for life, exercise and weight control