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Day 4 - Beck Diet Solution, Give Yourself Credit

This is one of my favorite Beck days.  Learning to give myself credit did feel a bit weird to me at first.  But once I got into it I started to really enjoy it!
1. It Feels Good to Brag and Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Guess what - you deserve credit for everything you do that brings you closer to your goals, no matter how insignificant it seems.  I don't think it even has to be food related!  Yes, give yourself credit for buying healthy foods, sticking to your plan, doing your workout.  But don't hesitate to give yourself credit for every accomplishment as well!  Did you finish that work report on time?  Did you manage to save a bit more money this week?  Did you make your bed?  Hug your family and tell them you love them?  Yes, give yourself credit for all of that!
Beck suggests a number of ways you can keep track of your credits.  My favorite way is to keep a daily list of everything I'm proud of.  Here's an example of one I did a few years ago:
Credit-Worthy Moments

J  I wrote the BDS update.
J I did my bike/swim workout.
J  I did the laundry.
J  I washed the dishes.
J  I got back on track with my eating after going off plan yesterday.

J  I helped son do his homework and he did it before using the computer.
* *used star to show accomplishments that also benefit my son  
2. Get Focused on Your Accomplishments, Not Your Obstacles
Celebrating your credits helps get you into the mindset of positivity, self-confidence, and perseverance that successful dieting requires.  Now you're not focusing on all the obstacles or how far you might have to go.  Now you're focusing on your power, all your abilities, every thing you can do right at this moment!  Every time you celebrate a credit, you're saying to yourself - "Yes I CAN do this!  I'm awesome!  I'm powerful!"
3. Have Fun Creating a Reward System
Beck tells us that we can also celebrate our credits by creating a reward system, which I also love.  You might choose to start a "credit jar," where you throw spare change or bills every time you earn credits.  When you've saved up enough, you can go reward yourself and buy a non-food treat that you wouldn't normally buy.  Maybe a piece of jewelry, day at the spa, new clothes, movie ticket - whatever inspires you!  This also creates a good reminder system for pampering ourselves.  Sometimes we work so hard and become so overwhelmed by stress that we forget, or don't give ourselves permission, to put ourselves first and disappear into our own healthy escapes for a while.
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