IT'S QUALITY THAT COUNTS

A few years ago I injured my knee. I attempted to continue my work out but I quickly learned that the human body will only allow you to go so far until it sends you a clear message to continue would be damaging.

Because of this I went to all my classes but could not participate in the running, and did NOT increase the intensity of many of my exercises. As a result I had put on a couple of pounds because I had not altered my eating. I am very in tune with my body so I could feel a significant difference in the way it felt. 

I continued to work out while healing my knee both physically and mentally. I increased the intensity of every exercise both mentally and physically. I was very aware of my food choices. And as a result maintain a very healthy physical body.

From this incident I learned a few things. First, it was good subconsciously to keep going to the gym. It continued my habitual ritual. Second, when you are really hurting best to not push it as you will heal faster by caring for the injury. And last,it isn't just doing an exercise that counts but what you put behind it. 

Like anything in life, the amount of effort you put into something is a clear indication of the amount of results you will achieve. Just "going through the motions" will not warrant the same results as lets say someone who really gives it their all. Either way, the same amount of time passes--so you might as well get the most out of your minutes.

WHEN THE TANK IS FULL IT'S FULL

There are times when someone will offer me something to eat and I will reply "No, thank you. I'm full.' And more often than not, the person will then insist I have something to drink. I find it very interesting that people do not consider the liquids they are consuming as food. "It goes in the same tank" is typically my reply. When the tank is full it's full.

More interesting that people do not view an ice latte with whipped cream as a desert. Yet calorie for calorie and fat to fat---a smoothie, mocha, Long Island Ice Tea, beer etc can be very harmful.

When it comes to fuel-think about the quality and never top it off.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER

If I were a stock broker you wouldn’t expect to invest your money and be a millionaire by the end of the month. Especially these days. You would view " it" as a long term investment. Healthy weight loss is best viewed as an investment. And you are making an investment in yourself. Think of it as a long-term investment. Now, unlike the stockmarket you know that if you stick to regular sessions of exercise, commit to making one healthy choice at a time and are persistent –there is a pay off at the end. And this is a life long pay off. This is an investment for the rest of your life.

DO IT AND MEAN IT

Make sure you are doing something for you and you alone. Resolving to do something for a family member or society is a sure way of setting oneself up for failure. Is it from your heart? Is it meaningful to you? You want it and what are you willing to do for it? Be responsible for the goal you are setting. Make sure it is possible for you to achieve it. Don't lose weight to prove something. Set a goal that is attainable and self-initiated. Remember there is always a bit of discomfort in change because you are reprogramming a past behavior. This is only temporary. As you work through the difficulties, the positive changes will occur. The discomfort is very small compared to the pay-off.