A week ago my wife, Pam, gave me a book called “As Far As the Heart Can See” by Mark Nepo. She was given the book at a luncheon and thought I might enjoy it. Nepo is a cancer survivor who writes books that help people gain a better understanding of themselves. His message is deep and inspiring. The book is a series of stories that helps readers heal on an emotional level and to get more of a sense of connection with themselves.
At the end of each story he has a question or series of questions that readers should ask themselves. The questions are based on the message that the story is attempting to teach. What does this have to do with nutrition and exercise? Maybe more than we’re aware.
At the end of one story there was a question that made me stop in my tracks. It froze me in time as I started to think of the way people sabotage their fat loss goals by continually succumbing to temptations, gaining weight, losing weight and allowing their self-esteem to take beating after beating in this never-ending merry go round. The question:
What do you need to stop that keeps murdering your energy?
It was something about the word “murder” that got to me. Something that felt so final. I thought about the number of people I’ve encountered who struggle month after month and year after year with fat loss. I started to think about the current obesity rate (one third of the population), which, combined with the percentage of those who are overweight, is a staggering 68% of the adult U.S. population. Then I thought about the number of people who really and truly struggle with this weight loss thing. How they just can’t seem to find the “just do it” mentality, no matter how many inspiring quotes they see on Facebook or how many motivating commercials they watch about people who’ve done it – who’ve actually lost the weight.
What if right now, this very moment, you decided to ask this question every time you were faced with a push me/pull me massive food temptation that you knew would make you feel awful if you succumbed? What if you asked it right in that moment when someone or something brought so much stress to your day that you were just going to eat anything and everything until you stuffed away those feelings and temporarily numbed yourself into believing food would actually make you feel better?
Today and this week I want you to ask two questions every time your temptation hits in a big way and wants to do damage to your weight loss and fitness goals –
That’s your assignment for today and this week. For those who try it, you won’t be disappointed.
Leave me a comment and let me know how it works. Remember: You are stronger than you think you are.
6 Comments to "Nutrition: Resurrect Your Energy and Motivation"
KCLAnderson (Karen) says:
April 17, 2012 at 11:22 am -
This is timely advice for me, RC. Although I am in a different (better) place than I was several years ago, I’ve had some challenges lately that have me revisiting some old behaviors. So thank you 🙂
Raphael says:
April 17, 2012 at 12:17 pm -
Karen, thank you so much. That really means a lot to me. Always great to hear from you 🙂
KCLAnderson (Karen) says:
April 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm -
So, today, instead of murdering my energy by trying to control what others think and getting defensive, I chose to empower myself by taking a brisk walk to and from the beach (about 2.5 miles) with some railing pushups and triceps dips thrown in, not to mention some nice stretching.
Raphael says:
April 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm -
Karen, that is so fantastic. You brought a huge smile to my face.
Tara says:
April 20, 2012 at 8:48 am -
I think there’s a flip side to this though… it’s not just about what you are eating to murder your energy, it’s about what are you NOT eating that murders your energy. If I skip meals or under eat I’m murdering my energy (and my hormones, and…and…). If I skip a workout, an appropriate workout, I’m murdering my energy. Things we see as “not so bad” are also robbing us of energy. Thanks for this reminder.
Raphael says:
April 20, 2012 at 1:23 pm -
Thanks, T. So you need to stop avoiding eating 🙂 It’s all how you view the words and how it resonates with you. I’m glad the reminder was helpful!