Internal (Instead of External) Motivation For Sustaining "Healthy" Choices

Using Carb Craving As an Example

Cut paper & ink. Courtney Snyder

I’ve been thinking lately about all the things that get in the way of our choosing what we know will allow us to feel better, and have more energy and clarity,. Knowing what choices serve us isn’t usually a problem.  There can be many factors, such as severe fatigue, depression, and brain fog that can get in the way.  For many, however, the bigger problem is how to sustain those “good for us” choices day to day.

Candida and Carb Craving Example

I write a lot about the impact of nutrient imbalances, inflammation and toxicity on our mental health, and the interventions that can help with these.  For many, optimizing the Walsh nutrient levels creates a big shift in their brain symptoms.  That doesn’t mean they couldn’t further benefit from dietary changes, but optimizing the Walsh nutrients really moves the needle.  

For others, however, especially those with candida and mold, removing sugar and lowering carbs (which fungus thrives on) is important. The carb cravings that are usually present with these conditions, makes this a big challenge.

The good news, as far as behavioral change, is that most people dealing with carb craving notice that they feel better - have more mental clarity, more energy, less pain, better sleep, and less anxiety, when they avoid sugar and keep carbs relatively low.  All of these benefits can help with motivation. Sustaining such dietary changes is still very difficult.