How to Control What You Can Control
Well, thank goodness 2020 is over, right??? Very few saw this pandemic coming and it has affected just about every aspect of our lives, making many of us feel a bit out of control.
I don’t know about you, but I like feeling like I have some semblance of control over my life.
There’s a way to do this that isn’t so stressful! It’s all about letting go of the things you can’t control and focusing on what’s in your control!
As we start a fresh year, it’s a great time to be mindful of both of these.
Acknowledge What You Can’t Control
Let’s start by acknowledging that, Covid or no Covid, not everything is in our control. It never has been and never will be.
So, what should we do about the things that AREN’T in our control?
As Elsa from the Disney “Frozen” song said — “LET IT GO!”
Acknowledging the things you can’t control and letting them go is incredibly empowering.
Once you do that, what’s next?
9 Way to Take Charge
Once you let go of the things you can’t control, it’s time to focus on what you can.
These days, it may not feel like there’s much you can control, but there really is. Here are nine things YOU are in charge of:
1. Where You Invest Your Energy and Time
This is a BIG one!
Your energy follows your focus, so when you’re focusing on stuff you can’t control, you’re giving away your energy and power to things you can’t change.
Try to clear your life of all of the energy-sucking issues you can’t control.
Watch out for energy vampires — those people who feed off your energy, leaving you emotionally drained and exhausted.
These are people who want you to take care of them, listen to them, and fix their problems. The discussion always centers on them.
It’s not easy clearing these people out of your life, but they are toxic and you’re better off investing your time and energy into people who lift you up. If these people are family members you can’t cut out of your life, you need to set boundaries with them.
RELATED | Taking Personal Responsibility
2. What You Eat
Many people feel out of control when it comes to what they eat, especially around the holidays. There are so many issues around food — shame, guilt, and other negative feelings.
But, guess what? Don’t let your mind fool you — you ARE in total control of what you put in your mouth.
Don’t despair…lots of people have control issues around food. It’s time to start letting these issues go.
EVERYONE eats and EVERYONE is entitled to enjoy food.
Stop setting unrealistic goals and rules around food and treat yourself with compassion. Learn how to make good lifestyle changes so you can treat your body with the care it deserves.
You deserve to be healthy and happy!
Give yourself the gift of learning how to eat right with a great nutrition program like the Ultimate Portion Fix or 2B Mindset.
Ultimate Portion Fix teaches you exactly what your portions should look like and the ratios of the different food types you should be eating each day. It makes it MUCH easier to make the lifestyle changes you need to get your eating under control.
2B Mindset is a bit less structured and helps you take back control of your eating without feeling deprived.
3. What You Drink
Alcohol gets in line first when it comes to metabolizing calories.
That means if your body reaches its max calorie intake for the day, whatever else you ate on top of the alcohol gets stored as fat. So, it’s crucial to be wise about how you use those calories!
Remember that a glass of wine is 120 calories and that’s only 5 ounces. Most people over pour when they’re preparing drinks.
Sweet cocktails pack a punch when it comes to calories. Try a light cocktail instead.
If you feel like you’re completely out of control of your alcohol intake, get some help from a professional.
4. Your Sleep
This one is harder for some people. Even if you’re in bed, you’re not always sleeping, but you can control a lot about your sleep habits.
It’s important to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every day.
Exercising and good nutrition also help you win the sleep battle.
5. How Much Exercise You Get
Exercise is one of my favorite ways of maintaining control.
In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for your body and mind, especially when you’re pairing it with healthy eating.
Protect your exercise time! Schedule it on your calendar at a time you’re most likely to do it. For many people, that means first thing in the morning.
RELATED | You Can’t Out Exercise a Bad Diet
6. What You Read
What’s on your nightstand? Are you reading a book right now? Books are FULL of great information that can help us relax, keep us informed, and push us to evolve.
Find a book that entertains and delights you. At the same time, find one that inspires you and commit to reading at least 10 pages of it every single day.
You will be surprised at how much your attention will be refocused and how you’ll start regaining control in other areas because of this simple, but profound, constructive habit.
7. What You Watch
Controlling what you watch, and how much you watch, is especially important right now.
Are you a news junkie? Even television news shows are designed for ratings, so they are trying to anger, stress, and excite you.
Take a break from the 24/7 news cycle and choose programs that are informative, enlightening and/or uplifting. Watch a good documentary or get lost in a classic movie.
By the way, if you tell yourself you don’t have time to exercise but you’re watching a lot of TV, guess what? You have a priority issue, not a time issue!
Yes, we all need a break now and then, but don’t let TV become a distraction that keeps you from having the life you want.
Why not turn the TV programs off and turn on Beachbody On Demand instead???
Podcasts are a fabulous, more mobile, alternative to the news as long as you’re mindful of the topic so you’re not inadvertently stressing yourself out. Pop in some headphones and listen to a positive podcast while you run, walk or exercise!
8. What Commitments You Make and Keep
You’re in control of the commitments you make and those you keep. Remember to treat yourself as well as you would a treasured loved one.
So often we don’t treat ourselves with kindness and compassion. Eating that cookie or slice of pie might seem like compassion, but it’s NOT if it sabotages your goals.
Decide what you’re willing to commit to when it comes to your health and fitness. Once you commit, schedule it into your calendar and don’t let anything derail your efforts!
You’ll have days you just can’t do it and that’s when you treat yourself with compassion, but don’t let those days push you off track.
Remember your commitments and stick with them. YOU ARE IN CONTROL!
9. Your Reaction
You’re not always in control of what happens to you, but you are in charge of how you react.
Try responding to outside triggers mindfully and peacefully.
When something or someone triggers negative feelings, acknowledge the feelings and why you’re triggered, but stay in control of your responses. Take a pause and a breath before you react.
It takes effort and practice, but it’s not worth getting thrown off course by things that are out of your hands.
Beachbody’s New Control Freak Program
Speaking of exercises…
I can’t talk about control without mentioning Beachbody’s new program, Control Freak.
This is Autumn Calabrese’s (creator of the 21 Day Fix) newest program — it’s nine weeks of taking back control of your body and mind using a whole body approach to wellness.
You’ll workout five days a week, mixing it up with density training, strength complexes, and Tabata training.
This is a GREAT program for getting yourself into shape and TAKING BACK CONTROL!
RELATED | Take Control of Your Health with Control Freak
2021 Goals
It’s true that there’s a lot we can’t control in life. It felt especially true in 2020. But, there’s also a lot we CAN control.
The number one goal for 2021 is focusing on what we can control in our lives! Give your body, mind, and soul the right food and tools and you’ll be on the path to a better year.
If you need help, I’m here and I’d love to help!
