Action Goals vs Avoidance Goals.

An Approach to Nutrition, By Coach Sarah

When we think about our nutrition and diets, our approach often focuses on what we "shouldn't" be eating or what we should be avoiding or depriving.

Don't eat sugar! Limit the Carbs! Avoid processed foods! Similarly we take on "challenges" like Sober October or Dry January. Those are all examples of problem fixation which leads us to avoidance goals. We are focused on what we DON'T want to happen with our actions, behaviors and food choices.

By focusing on what we want to happen and setting action goals we are no longer fixated on the avoidance. Examples of an Action Goal would be setting a goal of eating leafy greens twice a day, journaling for 5 minutes in the morning or going for a 30-minute walk every lunch break.

Here's why the Action Goal setting is generally more effective: Don't eat cookies! Well what are you thinking about now? COOKIES! Now you're supposed to avoid those buttery, chewey, melt in your mouth, sweet and sometimes savory but always filled with happiness, goods. And now you all want a cookie, because they're on your mind. You want them anyways but thinking about them has now almost motivated you to go find one.

Sit down.

It works the other way. Walks in the sunshine. The sun on your face, the warmth on your skin, the way you breathe easier with every step you take. Now you're thinking about that walk. So go ahead, go for that afternoon walk.

When you're focused on the action, in this example protein, then protein becomes the focus and if you end up hitting your quota, chances are you'll have less room for the things you're trying to avoid.

The best part is, you'll avoid these things you don't want to be consuming naturally without having to muster up a ton of willpower.

Give it try. Choose two action approached goals- nutrition related or otherwise- you want to achieve in the upcoming weeks. See if it changes your mindset.