Get on the Pyramid!

Many of us feel overwhelmed when it comes to nutritional changes. One way I like to think of changes is what I call “Get on the Pyramid!” I’ll explain how this works by using an example below. Basically, you draw a pyramid and several horizontal lines across. Whatever goal you’re trying to reach, you list the intermediate steps on the pyramid—progressively more challenging as you move up the pyramid. By this approach, you can begin being successful with a small step forward today! You can enjoy each successful stair step on the way to your ultimate goal.

Perhaps, your goal may be to get healthier by drinking more water. That goal may be represented in the “Get on the Pyramid” method as below.

Assume that today, the person in this example drinks the following in the course of the day:
2 cups coffee upon waking
1 pop when he gets to work
1 pop at lunchtime
1 pop in the afternoon at his desk
1 pop on his way home from work
1 glass of water with his dinner

The goal: Drink water instead of pop for better health.

So, as you can see, small incremental steps will have you achieving your goal without the pain and risk of going cold turkey. Besides, the cold turkey method rarely results in achievement for most people. In cases like this that involve diet and nutrition, our bodies are often dealing with psychological and physiological addictions. Slow and steady changes often result in less feeling of deprivation and more successful outcomes. It also allows the person to adjust life around the desired changes. For example, your daily trip to the soda machine might also be associated with taking a break at work and having some social time. When you reassociate those habits in support of your goal, you won’t be fighting temptation around every turn in your day. You can climb a mountain by repelling up a steep drop or go up the other side where the climb is more gradual and less sheer.

Instead of getting overwhelmed at the thought of any dietary or other change, “Get on the Pyramid” and start your first step today toward the achievable task of reaching your goal!