I used the word “control” intentionally, because it means power – you have the power over your mind and body and it’s not some auto-suggestion or woo-doo that I’m trying to perform here. It’s the fact. That’s how any boundaries get broken, how one gets better, how successful people attain whatever they want. Generally it's assumed that these people can just "shake it off”, but that's not how it works. They train their minds to believe that they are bigger than any obstacle and they act that way.

“Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.” – Deepak Chopra

Do you want to be a prisoner or a pioneer? I certainly didn’t want to be a prisoner anymore; freedom became number one for me – freedom to decide for myself and not let my emotions and my mind to do whatever it pleased. I was its boss, not the other way around. I didn’t want to undergo those old feelings anymore, the anxiety, feel like I’m choking... I wanted to be a pioneer, finally move on to my brighter future I was planning and postponing for years. I was so tired of going two steps forward and three steps backwards, and with all this in mind it actually became much easier to suppress the desire for my old habits rather than feeling sick again and putting myself together again for a following week or two.

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the past decade: Strive for progress, not perfection. I’m sure we’ve all already heard/read it. But have we really put it in practice in every hour, every day of our lives? The chances are that you won’t quit your bad habits cold turkey. And I think it’s ok. It’s a process in progress, so be patient, persistent and don’t beat yourself up if you fail. You’ll get back up again and again and eventually will make it through to the other side.

Remember, you are your mind’s boss. But also, you have to be quicker and smarter than your brain. When a bag urge comes and you feel like you can’t get ahold of yourself, here’s what you can do:

1.) At home: Slap yourself across the face and yell STOP! / In public: Pinch yourself firmly where it hurts you most and yell STOP in your mind

2.) Get a cold shower (if possible) – and I mean the coldest you can get, it has an amazing sobering effect

3.) Get your conspirator = mind busy doing something else – you have to start working on something, occupy your brain and hands with something different. It really is just a short moment you need to get over so get to it right away

4.) Have someone you can call – sometimes all we need to overcome a crisis is just by talking to someone who we trust, someone who you know will support you and will give you that right kick that you need

“It's not about perfect. It's about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens. That's how change occurs.” – Jillian Michaels

If you’d like to know more how to simplify and reclaim your spirit and physique, visit www.janatalavaskova.com.


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Jana Talavaskova