Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. When I was younger, I was overweight, unhappy and more insecure than any one person should be. These days, people wonder how I find the energy and motivation to exercise and live the way I do. It comes down to two simple things: my food intake and my thoughts. Both take an equal amount of practice. Lots of it. You must also be willing to fail, get up and try again. If you’re considering improving, changing or simply beginning a healthier lifestyle, remember these words.

Take baby steps with all of your choices. Start slow and be open to all possibilities. As you go, you will discover what works for you and what doesn’t. Everyone is different so if one thing doesn’t resonate with you, try something else. When I first began my journey into a better version of myself, one of the first things I did was take a 20-minute walk, three times per week. A few weeks later, I found myself running and then joining a gym. Now, I can get out of bed early, exercise between one and two hours and then go hiking all day. All without caffeine. I also avoid the not-so-healthy foods that are inexpensive to buy and easy to get addicted to. Again, I say, baby steps. 

Instead of eating an entire box of cookies, eat half of it, followed by an apple or a banana. You can also eat the fruit first, then make the cookies your reward (but don’t overdo it). Continue to cut back a little every week. Before you know it, you’ll be walking past the junk food aisle at the grocery store and not even notice. My mother use to say “Todo en la vida es cuestión de acostumbrarse.” Which means, everything in life is just a matter of getting used to. You can condition yourself to do whatever you want. However, success is only possible if you make the patient effort and stop at nothing until you’re satisfied.

Your mind is going to be the most vital tool in achieving success. Receptors throughout our body are connected to our thoughts. If you start your day, an exercise routine or a project dreading it before you even begin, guess what? You’re going to discourage yourself and create unnecessary disappointments. However, if you can change the way you see things, you will set the simple foundation necessary for success. Make your changes a conscious choice.

Your body is the garden of your soul. If you’re going to feed your garden unhealthy foods, but overdo it while you’re at it, you can’t be surprised if you lack the proper care it takes to make healthy changes. If you’re also allowing yourself to think negatively, what other choice are you giving yourself but to agree with those thoughts? Tell yourself you can do it! Strength, ability, skill, willpower and change all begin with your mind. You’ve got this!

(Originally published in the May 28, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)