The Art of Change

Deciding to make lifestyle changes is hard, whether it’s the foods you eat, the products you use or the thoughts you think. Throw in cancer and it gets even harder and more imperative. With so many options, it’s tough to know if you’re making the right choices.


It was the beginning of 2008, once the reality of my diagnosis set in, when I really decided to start making serious changes in my daily life. I began by doing a little research and quickly found myself overwhelmed with all of the information out there. It was like sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by a mess to organize. I didn’t know where to begin. Thankfully, I had help. My husband was my biggest advocate, supporting me and helping me to navigate the overload of options. He was also one of my biggest obstacles. He quickly mounted a plan to completely cut all sugar, alcohol, dairy and meat from my life, while simultaneously attempting to shove broccoli down my throat every chance he got. I understood that his attempts were just his way of having some control over a situation that made him feel helpless. Still – it was annoying. He would look at me as if I was putting a gun to my head every time I ate a piece of candy. And in rebellion, I would go to the opposite extreme, exerting my own control over my life by binging on sugar and denouncing broccoli, stating that it made me feel better. The truth was it didn’t make me feel better. I knew my eating habits weren’t healthy and I wanted to change, but not so drastically that it made me miserable. What I eventually realized and was able to convince my husband of, was that balance is the key to making changes you will stick with for the long term.


Choosing one thing at a time to work on can help you stay focused and ease you into the transition. So, how do you decide where to begin? I like to make a list of goals, then break them down into smaller goals and start with the least difficult. For me, that was red meat. I didn’t eat that much red meat anyway, so giving it up was fairly simple for me. And, by choosing something that was easy for me to change, it felt like I had accomplished something and kept me motivated while moving on to the next item on my list. Another thing I learned was how to balance removing something from my life by adding something new. Since red meat was out I added more vegetables, many of which I had never tried before. Learning new ways to prepare the vegetables made the transition more exciting as well.


It’s important to remember to start off small and to try reducing before eliminating completely. I started eating less dairy by trying out milk alternatives like soy and almond milk and opting for organic yogurt. By replacing regular milk with a milk alternative it felt more like I was making better choices and less like I was giving something up. It also helps to treat yourself after you’ve accomplished a goal. Being healthier and feeling better doesn’t have to be your only incentive to continue with changes. Small rewards can go a long way. Again, moderation is important here. Indulging in old habits will just defeat your purpose. One thing I incorporated into my life was the special occasion treat. For example, I don’t eat red meat, but I allow myself to have a few pieces of corn beef and cabbage around St. Patrick’s Day. I‘ve eliminated most candy, but I still enjoy a vanilla butter cream egg from Mary Sue around Easter. And I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, but I still use a Natty Boh when making beer bread. Following these practices will allow you to create lasting change and give you a feeling of control over your life.


And remember, making changes is supposed to make you feel good. Be sure that you’re changing for the right reasons and not just because you feel pressured by outside sources. Making yourself happy should be the primary goal. Quitting anything in your life for anyone other than yourself is not the way to reach your happy medium.