DON'T BE MAD AT DAD

In honor of Fathers Day (this Sunday) I want to remind you that when it comes to health and fitness-genetics does not dictate fate. They are just a factor. Mom and dad may have determined how tall you are, your skin color and the color of your eyes. You would not work hard at becoming 4 inches taller. Nor to you take spin class in an effort to become Chinese. However, you understand that if you exercise and eat healthy, you can become healthier and slimmer.

Having an overweight Dad might have effected your eating habits, beliefs and other aspects. However, bad habits can be replaced with better habits. Habits that can assist in overcoming these things.

YOU CAN GET SOME SATISFACTION

It was brought to my attention that some foreign languages have completely different definitions for satisfaction and pleasure. In fact, the two words are not as closely linked as in the English language.

In short, pleasure defines more immediate/short term gratification while satisfaction was more long term.

When it comes to health and fitness the emphasis is more long term. Therefore it makes sense to consider the satisfaction of making certain choices rather than the immediate gratification.

Yes, one should enjoy the pleasures of life. And certainly there are many to be found without sacrificing the long term gain.

CREATE NEW MEMORIES THIS ON MEMORIAL DAY

With todays BBQ in the limelight, food becomes an even more significant
issue for those whose objectives are weight loss. It is almost certain that you will
not "stick to your diet." It is usually expected since you have not reprogrammed
or reconditioned your usual behavior. The key is to not allow this step back to
prevent you from continuing with your program.

Now I'm not saying that a 4th of July BBQ is an excuse
to predict failure. You should take 100% responsibility for your choices. Create an
easy to follow plan to overcome each situation. Do not look at a summer get together
as a roadblock or a stumbling point. Instead as an opportunity to shift your mindset
and relearn new habits. After all, habit patterns are things you learned. And if you
learned them you can unlearn them.

RESPONSE ABLE

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 are able to respond

YOU HAVE TIME

People come to me asking me to "make them" motivated to exercise. This is a big mistake. Motivation is determined by our goal. If you want it bad enough it becomes a priority.

This is a hard one to overcome. It’s really the failure to prioritize your workout above everything else that causes people to fall back into old habits of being "lazy".

Yes, exercising four to five times a week for 30 minutes will get you big results, but you will also see some results by investing less time than that.

If you watch one television show a day--you have time to exercise.

COMPARE IS NOT FAIR

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.

M IS FOR MOM AND MANY CHOICES

In honor of Mother's Day, let us acknowledge that poor Mom seems to take a lot of heat for attributes we may not like. However you are what you are today because of the choices you have made and the information and programming you have absorbed and acted upon throughout your life.

At any time you have the power to change the way you see yourself and to change your beliefs. Also you can change you attitude about food and your body right now. You were born with the power of choice.

Truth be told, genetic only plays a 35% role in your physical health and make up. The rest is determined by the choices you make. And what precedes that choice? Your thoughts. Subconscious thoughts are seven to nine times more powerful than conscious awareness.

So instead of focusing your thoughts on blaming mom's genes, think about what thoughts you would like to have instead.