Behavioral Analysis

Those of you who know me well are aware of my fascination with the TV show Criminal Minds. Incredible show. I had to quit watching a few months ago when I became convinced that 43% of people I encountered in any given day were serial killers.

Anyhoo...this is the Criminal Minds team. The BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) of the FBI. They specialize in analyzing criminal behaviors in order to create a "profile" so that criminals can be caught more efficiently. Spencer is my favorite. But they are all awesome.

Since I stopped analyzing every Tom, Dick, and Harry that cross my path, I have had extra time to analyze some of my own unfortunate behaviors. You know--the ones that placed me at 200+ on the scales. (Hey--the more I admit it, the less likely I am to forget it.)

You can blame it on genetics, a crummy childhood, low self-esteem, stress...whatever. These are all the types of things that might trigger bad behavioral patterns but let us note that it is, in fact, the faulty behavioral patterns that make us fat. I think I have identified the main "criminal behavior" pattern in my life.

So here it is:

1. Realize that I am called to be committed to "x" in my life
2. Gung-Ho about "x"
3. Stick to "x" until it gets boring, hard, uncomfortable, etc.
4. Quit "x"
5. Time passes with no commitment to (and usually stray far, far from) "x"
6. Repeat items 1-5
7. Repeat item 6, indefinitely

Wouldn't it just be easier (in the long run) to:

1. Realize that I am called to be committed to "x" in my life
2. Stick to "x" even when it gets boring, hard, uncomfortable, etc.
3. Repeat 1 and 2 everyday through prayer, determination and by the grace of God

Yes, I think so.

Note: I used "x" because I can apply many things other than a healthy lifestyle to this equation: daily reliance on the Lord, keeping my house in order, being consistent with my children's discipline, etc.

In keeping with the Criminal Minds theme, I will leave you with a poignant quote:

Paul (from the Bible) once said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14