Change To Lose

Took that picture while out for a walk yesterday. Perfect day here, low 60's, sunny, my kind of weather!

So as summer becomes fall, the change in seasons has me pondering why the need for change. Some changes, like health changes, can at times be better reasoned by considering what will be lost versus what will be gained upon success. Here a dislikes and don't wants I hope to lose...

I dislike climbing three or four flights of stairs with ease only to feel oxygen is needed to go on to flights five, six & seven.

I don't want to have to ever gesture frantically to my wife, or anyone nearby, that I need help with the heart attack or stroke I am in the throws of.

I dislike passing by a fast food restaurant and looking upon it with want & desire.

I don't want to ever have to go back to taking blood pressure pills again every morning.

I dislike being able to wear some 2x shirts but not all as some just are more snug than I like.

I don't want 'strapping on the feed bag' to be a relief option I give any consideration when life becomes difficult, stressful, boring, etc.

I dislike finding it a chore to factor exercise into my days.

I don't want to see myself in the skype rear-view window and wonder why jabba the hut is skyping my daughter.

I dislike believing that my ability to thump anyone who deserves it is not as swift and immediate as it once was.

I don't want to have to drive a SUV so that I feel comfortable and enjoy the drive.

I dislike having to stop for a breath when walking with loaded pack and rifle to & to/from deer stands during hunting season.

I don't want to miss out on seeing my grand children graduate high school, college and get married.

I dislike feeling the need to curse the scale every time I walk up to it.

I don't want to wake up any day doubting that I can end the day healthier than I began it.



Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 306 - Do You Prefer This Or That?



source

 One thing that blogging has certainly reinforced for me is that no two people are alike. Some similar, some as different as coffee and vodka; but none alike. We may have the same general desire for being healthy and happy. Yet when looking at the many different traits of how we exercise, eat, or do anything non-health/fitness; the differences between our preferences are many.


Lets look at a few...



Do you prefer to Strength or Cardio train?
Me: Strength

Do you have/admire Tattoos or No-Tats?
Me: No-Tats

Do you prefer to eat Lo-Carb or Lo-Fat?
Me: Lo-Carb

Do you find it more relaxing to work on a Jigsaw-Puzzle or Play Chess?
Me: Play Chess

Do you prefer to walk/jog/run Inside or Outside?
Me: Outside

Do you prefer to wear your socks Ankle-High or Calf-High? 
Me: Calf-High

Do you prefer to Count or Not-Count Calories In/Out?
Me: Not-Count

Do you prefer to dip your chips in French-Onion or Guacamole?
Me: Guacamole

Do you believe that for weight loss/maintenance success Water Intake is Key or a Non-Factor?
Me: Water Intake is Key

Do you favor Disney World or Universal Studios?
Me: Disney World

So there are just 10 of 34,487,395,431,879+ traits that make each of us who we are.

I am of the type that likes Strength Training, No-Tats, Lo-Carb, Play Chess, Outside, Calf-High, Not-Count, Guacamole, Water Intake is Key, Disney World!
 

Anyone else identical to me on just those 10?

What about your list of 10? And your Spouse/Lover/BFF/Whomever, is their 10 identical to you?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 4 - Dislike and Don't Want

So it is day 4 and I've done well with respect to showing the discipline for portion & balance I outlined in my day 3 post. I only intend to weigh in myself once a week on Sunday's, so Day 8 will be the next weigh in. Then I'll have a measured result to validate my belief that I've done well thus far.

Today I am a bit beside myself as I don't have a burning fire of motivation going within me right now. Typically in the past when I have made efforts to lose weight they start with a rush of confidence and motivational thoughts that drive me for a while, and as I've said earlier, I eventually let myself down and give up. But this time, I don't have that swell of euphoria powering my effort. And I am not sure why. Could it be I am being a bit more realistic in that until I shed at least 20 pounds and then keep going, vs. quitting as I have so often when I've hit that milestone, maybe then I'll feel a surge in motivation? Wow, I certainly hope that is not true. If it is, how will I ever get to 20 pounds down, or even 10? Honestly I am not sure why my mood is rather blah as I start this particular journey. But since I have recognized that the I suppose I ought to take the next step and try and snap out of it and find the motivation I believe I need to really launch this mission.

So what motivates me? What motivates you? What is motivation? Oh don't worry, I am not going to get all philosophical here. Nope, going to keep it bluntly simple. Motivation as I see it comes from one of two mental responses to everything we encounter; we either like and want it, or, we dislike and don't want it. Of those two I believe we find more of our motivational fuel from associating with what we like and want in life. So, it only makes sense to me to first to focus on the other response, what is it that I dislike and don't want. Huh? Why focus on the one which I believe contributes less to our motivational fuel? Because in the past I have made a point of primarily focusing on what I like & want which hasn't worked for me. So we're going to try a different approach. Let's get to it…

What I dislike and don't want…
I dislike not being able to climb two flights of stairs only to feel there is no oxygen to be found up here.
I don't want to have to ever gesture frantically to my wife, or anyone nearby, that I need help with the heart attack I am in the throws of.
I dislike having to take a blood pressure pill every morning.
I don't want to ever consider having to buy a 4x shirt so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I dislike that I have to wear 3x shirts so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I don't want to find relief from life's difficulties & stress by opting for the easiest remedy; strapping on the feed bag.
I dislike not being able sit on the floor with my legs even remotely close to being crossed without also feeling complete agony.
I don't want look in the mirror anymore and wonder what on earth is it that my wife sees in me.
I dislike looking upon exercise as a burden or chore vs. something that is necessary and enjoyable.
I don't want to have to drive a SUV so that I feel comfortable and enjoy the drive.
I dislike flexing my muscles and not being able to see them because they are encased in too much fat.
I don't want to have to stop for a breath 2 & 3 times when I make the walk with pack and rifle to & from the deer stand during hunting season.
I dislike that being responsible about fitness doesn't cone natural to me.
I don't want to miss out on seeing my grand children graduate high school, college and get married.
I dislike feeling the need to curse the scale every time I walk up to it.
I don't want to be the one that everyone has to wait on while I catch up to them.

To be continued…

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!