7 Keys to Unlocking Health (no, not really)

Take a closer look.

Let's take a look at a better body. I'll start superficially here. Now, we want to look better, preferable with clothes off, maybe in a bathing suit? OK, we want to look better for, others? That right there can involve some self-esteem work if that is the motive. Now, we want to look better, so what do we assume? We assume that by losing body fat and increasing muscle mass, or just the first, will do it right? I just need to lose 10 pounds. A number on a scale. Scales which are all just different enough and if used at different times, that poundage can fluctuate. So, maybe it isn't a number we are after, but a look. We assume that a loss of 10 pounds would look a certain way right? Like there is an image in your head as to what you are shooting for. You think that the 10 pounds will pull directly from the stomach region, or the hips, or the thighs, the areas that people are typically concerned about. OK, so now we are expecting to lose a solid 10 pounds of fat, from a specific region? OK, maybe instead of weight loss, we just want to put on muscle. Yes, muscle will make me look leaner, I will start to weight train and "convert this muscle to fat." Um, again, if that is the thinking, there is some work that needs to be done, mentally. Instead, let's just focus on getting a trainer and lifting weights. Now I will look better right? Well, maybe, maybe not. It depends how your body responds to the resistance training. In every case however the triggering of increased muscle mass will most likely increase hunger, thus making what we eat that much more important. Ah, now we are getting somewhere.

Yes, all roads lead to what we eat, sure, but even before the first bite, there is a mindset, a thought process that exists driving what we choose to eat. What that thought process is intrigues me the most. Even in myself, why foods trigger me when I know better. Why foods trigger anyone when they know better. Again, I've said this 1000 times, but people know a donut would be in the "unhealthy" food category, yet we continue to eat them. Not only eat them, but glorify them. We hold them on this donut pedestal, one that we allow to dominate our hierarchy of indulgent foods. I am not to demonize foods, however bringing up a topic of discussion, or at least a moment to reflect on what you believe, to your core.

This isn't long-term, it might not even be short-term.

I believe pizza is this fun, entertaining, break from life. Yes, it is food, indulgent food, however it isn't the food as much as it is the "break" from worrying about food. Not to mention pizza stimulates which is cool, until I am driven for more stimulation and I inevitably overeat. I am not 20 anymore and indulgences don't just digest like they used to, there are consequences now. However, I've had to reflect on what food, specifically pizza here, means to me. Why on earth would I keep eating something that makes me feel both mentally and physically like crap? What consumes me to make me consume it? What belief, probably established in childhood, is left unaltered, unchallenged, or needs to be unlearned as to why it isn't obvious I walk away from pizza physically, but more so, take it off of the pedestal I have it sit upon? More importantly, why do I not absorb the realization that pizza will never be what it is in my mind? Every pizza I eat, though good, stimulating, usually in a context of fun, never lives up to what I expected. In fact, no food ever does. In fact, rarely do situations when I hype them up, live up to the expectation.

So what? Food is a letdown? Even when the food is stimulating, pleasurable, eaten in a "fun" context? This, right here, is wisdom. I have this basic wisdom and so do you. You have common sense. You might get manipulated or convinced on hope, but your common sense does know better, I would bet it. Now, you don't know what you don't know, however this rarely includes not knowing the detriments of sugar or more specifically a McDonalds meal. You may not know why or how, however can safely assume that these choices go against feeling better, assuming that is something you want, mostly because it is something we all want. This is why drug use is so high, we all want to feel better.

Alright, so going back to the top, looking better in a bathing suit. This is the goal huh? A goal that you've convinced yourself that will be met with superficial acts as though a change in thought processes isn't warranted. Much like any substance addict will tell you, specifically alcohol and drugs, you've got to admit willingness and humility to make a true change in behavior. People say they might have tried this or that to change, paid a trainer, paid a dietitian, paid for this equipment or that diet pill, but these are all new coats of paint on the same old car. The inside, the thought process about food and your core beliefs has to change before anything else truly can.

For those who just like to argue and say this isn't true, sure there are people that can "white knuckle" their way through weight loss, however this was never the intent. The intent through assumed weight loss was a better quality of life, correct? Well then, by living a torturous, craving state, is this any better? That one is up to you, for me thought, I would have to decline that living hell.

God Bless.