You must learn a new way to think before you can learn a new way to be. – Marianne Williamson

As always, I pick these quotes out in advance, and as always, I am amazed at how much they strike a chord with me on the day they are posted.  I have many changes I would like to make in my life – they are changes I’ve tried to make on many occasions but have not been successful, and I could never figure out why.

Recently, I participated in a program put on by the American Heart Association called 90 Days to a Better You!  Once a week, I and the other program participants, learned about nutrition and exercise.  We talked about behavior modifications and how to make healthy changes in our lives.  The end result at the end of the 90 days was that I lost over 20 pounds and 16 inches.  Even better, the program has ended, and my healthy changes have stuck.

I couldn’t figure out why I was able to succeed this time when so many other times I’ve tried to change my eating habits and implement exercise plans.  When this quote popped up today, I finally made the connection.  I changed my thought patterns this time.  I  didn’t jump in and make all the changes at once.  Changes were made over time and new behaviors were shaped.

Any change is like that.  The first thing we have to change is the way we think.  It isn’t easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be done.  So figure out what change you want to make and make a plan.  Make small changes and reinforce them, and then build upon them to make bigger changes, and soon you will find that you have succeeded in changing your life.