​The protein powder aisle – whether in-store or the virtual ‘aisle’ online – can be overwhelming. With the incredible deluge of options available, it’s easy to get confused and frustrated. Every brand promises different things, and it can be hard to separate fact from fiction.
 
What is the right protein powder for me? This is a question I am asked a lot, especially this time of year as people focus on their wellness efforts. Protein is an essential need to assist in the growth and repair of our muscles.  People who are limiting their amount of animal protein either for health concerns, digestive issues or personal choice may have trouble achieving their recommended amounts.  Adding protein to a meal in proper proportions can increase the sense of being satisfied after a meal and may also lead to weight loss.
 
With a little pre-planning and research (below), you can have healthy, tasty meal and snack options without all of the junk that is contained in processed, packaged foods.  These are foods that your body can’t and doesn’t know how to digest causing a metabolic nightmare. 
 
But how do you choose the best protein powder when there are so many options out there?

​Self-talk... stop for a moment and listen to yours for a brief period of time. Is your inner dialogue filled with negativity and expecting positive outcomes? 

We all have those days when we are stressed, running late, spill coffee on our crisp, white shirt prior to making that important presentation. The inner critic immediately blurts, “Seriously! I can’t believe you’re such a blundering idiot!!
 
Humans are hardwired by nature towards negative thinking. It dates back to our ancestors safeguarding our survival so that we recognize and avoid survival. Many of us also grew up with the belief that having a negative attitude towards life and self was normal in order to protect us. 

Listen to your self-talk for a day. How do you talk to yourself?  To others?  Do you have your brief blundering moments, or is it an incessant negative dialogue?

If another person spoke to someone you loved the way you dialogue with yourself, you would likely get a bit angry or defensive.  Yet with internal negative self-talk, our self-defense mechanism is non-existent.

​Some of us need to reprogram and re-train our brain so that positivity becomes our new automatic response. Positive affirmations and self-talk do work but it takes persistence and taking notice of the conversation that exists in the subconscious and conscious mind.

Following are five fundamental tips to help you eliminate negative self-talk and begin changing your inner dialogue...