CONSTANTLY COMPARING VS HEALTHY COMPETITION

One thing overweight people do best is compare themselves. I suppose that’s true for a majority of people as well. The comparison seems to be the basis of how people may view themselves. “My body will never look like that” or “I ran a mile but Bob ran two.” Healthy comparisons can be good. It can inspire you to move toward greater goals or take action toward improvements. However, if you don’t have confidence-comparing yourself can lead to less confidence. Most of the time the greatest improvements are made when you concentrate on your own achievements. Regardless of why you may compare yourself, ultimately it takes away from the one thing that does matter—what you want. I think it best to let go of any judgements, be clear about your desires, and focus focus focus.

PICK EXERCISE NOT THE REMOTE

You have heard time and again that regular physical activity is important, but how many times have you picked the couch and a bag of chips instead? And what has the couch done for you?

Today you have the ability to live a better quality of life. Not just because of the new gadgets you buy but how you enjoy those things. What is the point of earning a lot of money if you do not have the health to enjoy it? What is the point of taking great vacations if you can’t even walk two miles without needing a break? Imagine the quality of your life ten or twenty years from now.

Getting older doesn’t have to mean breaking down physically. Why not aim to be in the top 3% of the population?

THE NEW YOU

The New Year often brings about feelings of new opportunities. New beginnings. The truth is every moment is a new opportunity and new beginning. Every second you are making a choice and that choice will lead you away or toward becoming healthier.

You don't have to wait til you lose ten or twenty pounds to become healthy. You don't have to wait til next week, after "that" event etc. You don't have to wait at all. You can decide to be healthy right now. Be you only better. Be the you you want to be--right now.

YOU ARE SAFE

Often people tell me they would like to be healthy and slim but feel being heavier keeps them safe. What they are feeling "unsafe" about varies--- Jealousy from peers, relationship fears, abuse etc.

It is unfortunate that one might be subjected to some very unfriendly people. However the weight of a person does not predict or protect one from harm. I am not suggesting that we not take precautions, but one should do this regardless. I am suggesting that you should not deny yourself the physical body you want. If you are using your weight to "fly under the radar" , you are implying you are responsible for the actions of others.

As for relationships, there are plenty of people who are attracted to many different sizes. Regardless of what size you decide to be, someone will be a member of that club.

The only reason to dedicate yourself to becoming healthy and slim is because you want it. It's your life. Take responsibility for your own thoughts and actions. And let others do the same for theirs.

WORK THAT DISCIPLINE

Discipline is not something you are born with. It is a mental muscle that needs constant training. Like any other muscle, if you don’t use it, it will weaken. It takes more than just wanting to be disciplined. It is an ability that must be developed and tended to. If it appears easy for some, it is because those people have cultivated it for a very long time.


By practicing your discipline, you will notice results in your works out as well. Studies have shown that people who do small mental tasks at work, increased their work out stamina.

And remember no muscle gets into shape immediately. You have to build it and maintain it. All your choices affect this muscle. When you make an excuse, you are hurting the muscle. This doesn’t mean you should expect to be perfect and never slide, but it does mean you understand that it is important and you continue to build that mental muscle.

BE QUIET AND WORK OUT

Your best buddy may not be the best buddy to work out with. A great social friend is not always the right person to motivate you. It might be better to get with someone you admire or who will push you. Even better find someone who is more dedicated than you. It is better to have someone you feel you want to emulate or "be as good as."

Laughing and talking do not burn as much calories as working out. Consider the value of your work out time.If your work out buddy is more interested in chit-chat,arrange to socialize after. Your efforts effect your results.

CHAIN REACTION

You are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of cause and effect. This is a familiar concept in science, philosophy, and in all great teachings. Every effect has a cause, and every cause is the basis of an effect. There is a chain of causation: each effect is the result of a cause, which then becomes a cause for another effect. It is a cascade, or an ongoing loop. You might see it as two sides of an equation – a cause side and effect side.
This concept calls you to take responsibility because at any given moment you are on one side or the other, which in every moment is leading you to the other side . Therefore when you are fully present in any given moment, the question arises; Which side of the cause and effect equation are you on? Are you the CAUSE in your life or are you at the EFFECT of things in your life? If you are at CAUSE you take responsibility for things in your life. It is not about blame,but more so about taking action. Think of the word "responsible"--respond+able. You can choose how to respond to things in your life. Choose not to resort to food as an emotional blanket, choose to exercise rather than watch tv. Choose to focus on what you can do.