Long Term Thinkers Make Healthier Choices

I read an article in a Fitness Journal that researchers from Kansas State University found that people who use long-term thinking have a greater capacity for implementing healthier behaviors. I found this very interesting. Think about the people you know well, think about yourself. Are you a planner, do you make lists and think about your future and how you want it to look?

Whether you are a future thinker or not, the article gives some tactics to use to help you become more successful in making healthier choices.

1. Counter impulsive tendencies with self-questions before making a decision to act. For example "Do I really need to eat this now?" "How do I want to feel if I choose to have another drink?"
2. People with similar habits are often drawn together. Think of the long term thinkers you know and include them in your circle of friends more often.
3. Try to delay an immediate impulse, craving or action by delaying it in small increments of time. Wait 10 minutes before giving in to the craving then re-evaluate the intensity of the craving. If it is strong wait another 10 minutes. Regular practice may effectively evaluate the influence that current behaviors have on future outcomes.