Back in 2006, I was training about 3 times a week with a good friend. He was recently engaged and I was to be in his wedding. His wife-to-be was excited about all the preparation for the ceremony and reception. And then the obvious thought that came to mind to her was losing weight. She wanted to be a certain size for the wedding and was willing to do whatever for that size.
Her first action was to do as she had always done and try some fad diet. That didn’t work as well as she hoped. Then she tried whatever the next fad diet was. And then she didn’t get the results she desired. This went on and on until she finally came to me with questions as to what she could do. I told her the one thing she didn’t want to hear. That she needed to eat healthier, work out consistently, and change her mindset to that of a healthy lifestyle and not just a healthy year until the wedding. She needed to choose this for her life and not such a short period of time.
She didn’t think my option was a doable one so she went to a friend of ours that was a certified trainer. He said the exact opposite of what she wanted to hear. The same thing I said. The funniest part was that her husband-to-be told me one night at the gym that the trainer said the same as me. I knew he would. My buddy knew he would. I even think the bride-to-be probably knew he would. She just didn’t want to face such reality. And this mindset is the problem in today’s overweight, unhealthy society.
Too many people are not taking care of themselves. It is costing them great opportunities in life and it is costing all of us in the pocketbook with the growth of ‘necessary’ health care to battle unhealthy lifestyles.
What needs to be addressed first is the lifestyle. With the billions made on quick solution diets, society is losing it’s reality on the true issue. Fast food, fatty food, high sugar food, deep fat fried food and so on needs to be addressed not by policy but by individuals. Individuals and society as a whole need to recognize their HORRIBLE eating ways. If we can control just the eating aspects, everyone would be much healthier. Then if we can address the sedentary of society, we can all become even healthier human beings. If people would just walk after dinner for 20 minutes, it would be a tremendous health benefit.
My friends got married in July 2007. The bride had lost the weight she wanted. However, I think she went back to her former ways following the wedding. Hopefully, she will realize that living a healthy lifestyle is the key to everything. If society is willing to change their lives and not just accept fad diets, there is a true possibility of change. However, if we continue down the beaten path, there is an even grimmer reality that will soon be seen.
Change your lifestyle to that of being healthy and fit and reap the benefits very few are taking advantage of today.
Have a great day!!!
Dave
LifeExcursion
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Right on! My problem has been bad habits. I have allowed myself to follow the fast food quick and not so easy on the body lifestyle. I am finally taking control though and am very excited about it. Down 12 pounds in 2 and a half weeks and feeling great! Thanks for the inspiration!
That’s awesome Brad. Being that you are an enemy of debt, I bet you have been saving a ton by cooking your own meals and making workouts a part of your entertainment.
Dave
LifeExcursion
The instant gratification fad diets never seem to work.. so true. Diets don’t work. I’m working on doing small changes to become healthier so that they will be permanent changes. It is kind of frustrating to hear- especially in a society that wants instant, easy change. The truth is it just takes long term, constant effort. Thanks for reminding me
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..July & August Recap =-.
Same thing goes for anything(other than the lotto). The harder and longer you work at something, the more successful you will become in the long run. It’s just a matter of seeing that down the road.
Dave
LifeExcursion
Well said, Dave. With so much emphasis placed on instant gratification, it’s hard to break away from the habits that are not healthy for us. But it can be done. I used to be virtually addicted to fast food…and my body paid the price. But I weened myself off that habit following the same advice you outlined above – not “dieting” but focusing on living healthy. And it’s made an amazing difference so far….
Paul
.-= Paul Norwine´s last blog ..How in the Hell do You Start a Successful Online Business?!… =-.
I am glad you were able to change the lifestyle. Hopefully, more people will follow in your foot steps
Dave
LifeExcursion
Dave,
Spot on! We all want to have it now, but most things in life take time, hard work and patience. If we change our diets to include healthier alternatives and exercise, there are much more benefits than just fat loss. Increased energy, positive mood, clear mind and much more. With that said, I need to get back on my routine!
.-= Ken Kurosawa´s last blog ..5 Reasons That Kept Me From Becoming an Early Riser =-.
I totally agree. I just read this post (http://www.vagabondish.com/easier-to-be-fat-stupid-untraveled/) about how it’s easier to be a sloth nowadays. People don’t even think about. They just cram all that junk in their faces and the thought of exercising doesn’t even enter their minds.
I’m travelling in Australia and New Zealand at the moment and have run regularly the entire time. I’ve got 2 races planned for the weeks after I return home. I tell this to people and they think I’m nuts. It’s not crazy at all. It should be commonplace.
.-= Ross´s last blog ..Walking on Thick Ice =-.