Everybody’s Working For the Weekend! — You Deserve Treats And Cheats. Or Do You?

Welcome to a repeat performance of one of the web’s best posts of 2016…Enjoy!

The weekend is here…you’ve been good all week…eating nutritiously, hydrating often, exercising regularly…and now it’s time to kick back and enjoy yourself.

Before you dive headlong into a 2-day gluttony-and-sloth-fest, I’m going to ask you to tell me exactly what you did to deserve to eat pizza until you hurt. How precisely did you earn that pint of Ben & Jerry’s? Why do you have the right to indulge in too much beer and Cheez Kurls?

To my way of thinking, the only people who deserve to eat like that are the ones who kick puppies, scare small children and shove old ladies.

What I’m getting at is that mistreating your body is not even remotely akin to presenting yourself with a hard-earned reward. Glopping up your digestive, circulatory and endocrine systems with 12 Snickers bars and a gallon of chocolate milk while you are piled on the couch watching 50 Shades of Grey for the 19th time is a punishment not a present.

 

I would suggest that you likely deserve a lot better! You deserve to eat well, exercise regularly, and relax at the end of your busy week. You’ve earned the right to make your healthy a priority.

You will never find peace with food, exercise and other healthful habits if you are continually viewing them as virtuous, righteous, pious or difficult to attain/sustain. Because as soon as you start believing that you need to get serious, buckle down, dig in your heels and grit your teeth in the pursuit of health, you’ve missed the point. You are trying to rely on willpower and self-control which NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER works long-term.

I don’t recommend that people pledge allegiance to some random expert’s plan, program or specific schedule for eating, exercise, sleep or hydrating because I believe that you need to learn, and DO, what’s best for you. And I have every bit of confidence that you will do just that when you decide to make your health journey a priority.

 

This is the foundation upon which my best-selling nutrition seminar is built. I’m so looking forward to introducing this unique approach to a sold-out venue in Sparta, Michigan beginning on Tuesday April 16.

Thank you for liking and sharing today’s post.

Two New Posts

Consider this post the trailer…

 

Our feature presentation will begin as soon as you scroll to the next post.

‘Change’ Is A Four Letter Word

Change: verb \ˈchānj\

• to become different
• to make (someone or something) different
• to become something else

Recently, I’ve been making an effort to discontinue using the word ‘change‘ when discussing  health and fitness issues. Because I do not believe anyone needs the pressure, anxiety or doubt that accompanies the call to “become (someone or something) different”. As a health advocate, I’m definitely NOT hoping to inspire someone to become someone other than who they have grown to become.

I find that I’ve been saying ‘change’ when, really, I am referring to growth, improvements, discoveries and explorations as they relate to our ever-unfolding health journeys. Most importantly, I think most of us will agree, the word ‘change‘ sets off very loud, danger-ahead, red-alert warning signal that something unpleasant, uncomfortable and undesired is on the way.

Let’s say, for example, that you decide (or your doctor tells you) to change your diet and your sedentary lifestyle. Most likely, you will have a good long talk with yourself before you buckle down and steel yourself against the deprivation, denial and suffering that surely lies ahead.

What if, instead, you chose to make small improvements in your daily eating habits…maybe spending a few extra minutes in the produce department discovering exciting new options? Maybe you would explore new ways to prepare your vegetables (steamed, grilled, stir-fried…). And maybe you would find that you love kale and spinach. Or not. But it’s worth a shot.

What if you decided to discover how you feel when you start your day with a bowl of oats, nuts and fruit as opposed to a giant jelly doughnut washed down with a super-sized mocha frappuccino?  If you realize that you feel more energetic and satisfied, you can choose to start everyday that way. If, however, oats aren’t your thing, you could try eggs. You don’t have to change anything about yourself…you’re just being adventurous knowing that you always have the freedom to stay or return to your current course.

If you realize that you are not moving enough every day, you have many options that don’t include unpleasant, time-intensive commitments to drudgery.

You could buy a gym membership… lift weights, dance Zumba, utilize cardio equipment or, best of all, join one of my highly anticipated, sell-out Strength In Numbers classes.

Walk your dog or ride your bike through your neighborhood. Learn ball room dance or karate. Join a cycling group, swim class or German polka club. You might discover that you love to move.

If not, your couch and TV will welcome you back.

Health equals Freedom in my dictionary. Opportunities to expand your horizons abound. Don’t get hung up on ‘change‘. Just get out there and take a chance that you might find that yourself touting the benefits of eating quinoa and swinging kettle bells.

Have you recently made a healthful discovery? Maybe you’re planning to try something new? Or maybe you have a ‘change-gone-wrong’ story you’d like to share.

Inspire us with your story…I always welcome your comments and questions.