Jumping the biggest hurdle

Last Sunday night, about 150 people showed up for the beginning of a three week “experiment,” we’re calling, “The Biggest Loser.” [Really catchy title huh? So far, we've not been sued] From what I understand, that number has only grown in the first three days of the program with only a few “casualties” so far.

I decided not to participate in it because for the first time in almost fifteen years, I’m to the point where I need to stop losing weight, and be focused on exchanging fat for muscle. I’m also unable to do any exercises with my legs until next Friday because of my recent surgery, but I will say that I’m missing being a part of the experience. It sounds like everyone is having a great time even though they are a little sore.

Tomorrow, I’m going to share more about my experience over the past six months, [In December, the scale read 220... this morning, 183] but today I wanted to share with you a link to a post that talks about what I discovered was the biggest hurdle for me in this process.

It comes from one of the blogs that I enjoy following called,  Zen Habits, written by Leo Babuata. Leo describes his blog this way.

This blog is really about setting and achieving goals, and the numerous goals that I want to achieve. But I believe that goals — especially ones that are worth reaching — are ultimately achieved through the building of good habits.

This morning, Leo’s post is titled, “It’s Time for a New Relationship with Food.” I’ve tried to keep fresh in my mind recently something I heard from one of Mike Slaughter’s podcasts in which he interviewed his personal trainer. She said, “a healthy lifestyle is 80% diet and only 20% activity. If you don’t get control of the diet, you’re wasting away 80% of your success”

The problem is that the way our culture defines our “relationship” is really, really, really messed up. Here’s how Leo says it in his post today:

We have been convinced that the answer to almost any problem is food. You truly love someone? Buy them chocolates, or take them to a restaurant, or bake them cookies. Want to lose weight? Eat diet food. Want to get fit? Take our supplements, eat our meat, drink our milk. Want to be healthy? Eat our healthy products. Want to reward yourself? There are too many options to name here. Having a bad day? We’ve got the food for you. Don’t have time? Our food will save time. Want to save money? Buy super size and “save”.

Food is the answer to everything, apparently.

And yet, we forget that food is just fuel.

If you’re a part of the Biggest Loser program or just someone interested in a healthier lifestyle, I encourage you to read Leo’s entire post. I don’t endorse [nor do I think he does completely] the fasting section at the end, but everything before that is great.

Check it out.

Categories: Healthy Living