What Does It Mean to be in “Ambivalence Mode?”

Ambivalence – The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

Many of you want to eat better, make smarter choices, improve your health, lose weight, exercise more, feel better….yet you cannot seem to put one foot in front of the other to create the change. You say “yes” but your actions say “no” – it is an extremely difficult and frustrating space.

As a counselor working with you, doing my best to educate and motivate you, I am often at a loss when my clients go into ambivalence mode. I am not sure how to support you because you are so conflicted with what you want, your belief in the process and yourself and how you want to create a change. Its a tricky spot for the client and the health professional.

We all have moments in ambivalence mode, but some of you tend to live here and set up camp, this has become your comfort zone and I am encouraging you to recognize it. Once you are aware of ambivalence mode, we can figure out how to get you out so you no longer have mixed feelings, but rather conviction in the process of moving forward.

Examples:

• You purchase exercise classes, nutrition packages, a membership for a weight loss clinic but you never attend.
• You keep saying you want to make the change, yet you do not actually do it. You are a “I will start on Monday” person but the “right Monday” never comes.
• You own every cooking utensil, diet book, online membership to recipes…yet you do not use them.
• Your schedule, time, work, family, others get in the way – there is always something to pull you away from moving forward. Yet you always talk about how you want to move forward!

Can you relate? Are you ready to take a step forward?

Have no clue what I am talking about? Feel like you are on a great plan? Stay focused and motivated! But keep an eye out for ambivalence as it can sneak in.

Can you related but don’t even want to think about this? That’s all right too…but when you are ready to move forward, ask for help and we can get you on track.

One foot in front of the other…day by day…find a mode outside of ambivalence that allows you to move forward to living a healthier life.

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Jae Berman, MS, RD, CSSD, serves as the Regional Registered Dietitian of The San Francisco Bay Club. As the nutrition expert and dietician for Western Athletic  Clubs, she thrives on helping people live healthier, stronger, more confident lives. With an extensive education in nutrition, Jae has been featured as an expert in Shape Magazine, Better Homes & Garden and more. Her background is in sports nutrition, weight loss counseling and disease management. She is also a personal trainer and yoga and Pilates instructor. Jae earned a master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University and completed her dietetic internship at UCSF Medical Center.