It's hard to admit this but, many years ago my diet consisted of diet coke and licorice or gummy bears. I was in my 20’s and 30's and didn’t think a thing about it at the time. Little did I know what my diet was doing do my bones, my major organs and my health.
If only I could go back in time and start over with the knowledge I have now.
When I turned 40 (many years ago), I decided to make major lifestyle changes. I've always loved to exercise, but never really thought too much about what I was eating. I started teaching fitness in my 40's.
I stopped eating sugar, drinking soda pop, energy drinks, basically anything white, accept sea food. I focus on what fuels my body for energy and nutrition. Doing this will change your life and your children’s life. Teach your children young the value of good nutrition. Today. I make a conscious choice to eat a healthy diet. I'm still teaching and love it.
I stopped eating sugar, drinking soda pop, energy drinks, basically anything white, accept sea food. I focus on what fuels my body for energy and nutrition. Doing this will change your life and your children’s life. Teach your children young the value of good nutrition. Today. I make a conscious choice to eat a healthy diet. I'm still teaching and love it.
'How do you find the time to work out?' You don't: You make time. If you wait until you find time, you'll never work out.
If you are just starting to exercise, entering the world of fitness machines, exercise, diet and nutrition can be difficult.
After a few moments of peddling, your lungs gasp for air as the body screams, “What are you trying to do? Do you hate me?” Horror sets in as you realize how far your health has deteriorated. After only 20 minutes, you drive home to collapse on the sofa. Images from the gym haunt your mind: sculpted muscles and tanned, sleek bodies. “I could never look like that. This is me, so I might as well accept it.” Desperation calls for action. Staring wide-eyed at your vacuum cleaner, you consider Liposuction. But that’s just too radical.
Most people connect discipline with pain. It’s no fun forcing yourself to do something you don’t want to do. But if you are achieving an important goal, discipline becomes much easier. An athlete training for the Olympics does not have a grinding battle with willpower every day. Although there are battles, it becomes easier as the routine becomes a lifestyle.
Discipline in changing your eating habits becomes easy when you are doing it and difficult when you are not. But with patience, the right attitude, and keeping your mind on the goal, discipline becomes second nature. You don’t have to force yourself. It just comes naturally. That is the way it should be.
To gain discipline, you have to face pain. The more you face it, the more you gain confidence and determination. It is an exhilarating high to run five miles after you’re conditioned to running. It hurts to start, but as your training progresses, there is a feeling of freedom and joy.
Facing Challenge
Challenge is exhilarating. We love competition for that reason. It challenges us to give our best.
We need challenge to grow. The greater the challenge, the greater the growth. That is why dreams are important; they bring us to the edge of challenge.
Decision Power
When you ate the donuts, you made a decision. They comforted you and led you down the path of sugar-coated, chocolate-dipped, cream-filled pleasures. When the alarm clock rang and you went back to sleep, you made a decision. When you ate another piece of pie, you made a decision.
When you are laying on the couch watching TV instead of exercising, you made a decision. Each decision was a path, the easy road where you decided to give into your cravings, urges and laziness.
Most people make New Year’s resolutions. They decide to quit smoking, start exercising and lose weight. Four days later, they’re drowning in nicotine, pizza and reruns. Their resolution failed the test.
Where is the point where you have finally had enough and you make those resolute, I’ve-had-enough, never-go-back-again decisions? The ones that endure pain and stand the test of time. Those are the decisions that change our lives. We don’t argue with those decisions because we know the answer is, NO! They are resolute. Gandhi stood resolute and unbending before threats of pain, and freed India
It is the power that shakes empires and inspires millions.
Life-changing decisions don’t pop into our heads while watching TV. They are decisions that are made deep within us. You make hundreds of decisions each day. Most are decided by habit. Don’t do that. Make your decisions, conscious of the path on which they are taking you. Choose decisions that challenge and cause growth. Make the decisions that force change for the better.
How badly do you want to be free from food addiction? Are you willing to face the ugly giant called hunger? You have the power to form life-changing decisions, but only if you are willing to face the challenges.
2 comments:
Excellent article. Says it all. No benefits to eating gummy bears, but ironically, there are some benefits to eating licorice. I began "cyclical eating" when I was 10 or 11. Crazy dieting to stay in shape for basketball and olympic/power lifting. Weight and waist size changes followed and every increase came with interest. I grew up in a stress-filled (abusive) environment. Not to mention suffering from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. it took 40 years for me to come to grips with it. I realized that I might not be here if it wasn't for seeking treatment and being able to change my "style" of living.
I might add how important it is not to "give up" when we "screw up." And we all will "screw up." At least I do, and plenty. Forget the screw-ups and keep moving forward with more resolve. Many thanks for your insights.
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