Harm Reduction.
What's the best way for an engine to run longer? Treat it better. What's the best way to run the body better? Treat it properly.
Better is for machines and devices that stay the same. The human body is always changing, working against you a lot of the time to stay efficient, but mostly survive.
If it were up to the conscious mind of a human we never would have existed. Instead God, in his infinite wisdom, knew that the body had to pretty much run its self with minimal to do on our part. If you disagree, then watch the latest episode of my 600 lb Life on TLC and you will see how the body is able to survive in even the most horrid American conditions.
The gym is a place people turn to when they want to make a significant change. The idea that by getting active and participating in a structured setting whether it be boot camps classes, weight training, or even just getting on the treadmill, they will find their answer. Now, the problem isn't in what you are doing because something is always better than nothing, but it is stopping at that thought. It is never advancing past the pre-school of being healthier. Eventually, no matter what, you are going to have to take into consideration your entire lifestyle.
Now, before I sound all hoity toity on top of my big chair pointing down with my authoritative, blogger finger, I want to validate the unfairness of what I just said. We live in a world where you're told to be healthier and be more active, but also indulge. The commercials, TV shows, any media you turn to, set the stage for a confused self. We don't know what we should be doing anymore and if we are going to make a sacrifice, then we want to make sure it is in the right direction. If I am going to give up my pint of Ben and Jerry's then I better know the results are guaranteed and worth it. As soon as I see some article about the benefits of not working out or see a commercial validating my right to indulge, I become confused and my new behavior now has little meaning.
So, instead of following what everyone else is doing, what you're being told, including me, you have to find what works for you.
It took me a long time to discover what is best for me. Throughout my entire 20's I thought that being the "big guy," was what worked. I overcame childhood obesity, turned anorexic, then found muscle to indulge in. Now in my 30s I have discovered that balance is truly the key to life. We all want the extreme highs of being a "big dude," or getting 1000 likes by posting pictures of our hard-earned bodies, but that also means we have to deal with the recoil of being big (and all the inevitable pains that come with it) or the "hater's" posts on our page.
My walk with Christ has improved because I am no longer distracting myself. I no longer am totally driven by my previous, superficial idea of success, money and achievements. Again, I will step down from my high horse and remind you I stumble, heck yes I do. I am grateful for these failings as well for I believe God disciplines those he loves and he must really love me.
Look, this wasn't meant to be a lecture so if it sounds like that, I missed the point. What I wrote is what I see everyday. People in pain, searching for something. Searching for that immediate gratification of a bunch of likes or posts or comments. I don't really know how social media works but I assume if you get enough followers you get paid or something? Either way, the point is to find what works for you in life, food, exercise, thoughts, job, people you surround yourself with, spirituality, where you decide to invest your time, all of those things. Nobody will ever be able to tell you what you should do because you are not a machine, you are a person, a unique and cool individual who has to find ways to support the person you want to be.
Better is for machines and devices that stay the same. The human body is always changing, working against you a lot of the time to stay efficient, but mostly survive.
If it were up to the conscious mind of a human we never would have existed. Instead God, in his infinite wisdom, knew that the body had to pretty much run its self with minimal to do on our part. If you disagree, then watch the latest episode of my 600 lb Life on TLC and you will see how the body is able to survive in even the most horrid American conditions.
The gym is a place people turn to when they want to make a significant change. The idea that by getting active and participating in a structured setting whether it be boot camps classes, weight training, or even just getting on the treadmill, they will find their answer. Now, the problem isn't in what you are doing because something is always better than nothing, but it is stopping at that thought. It is never advancing past the pre-school of being healthier. Eventually, no matter what, you are going to have to take into consideration your entire lifestyle.
Now, before I sound all hoity toity on top of my big chair pointing down with my authoritative, blogger finger, I want to validate the unfairness of what I just said. We live in a world where you're told to be healthier and be more active, but also indulge. The commercials, TV shows, any media you turn to, set the stage for a confused self. We don't know what we should be doing anymore and if we are going to make a sacrifice, then we want to make sure it is in the right direction. If I am going to give up my pint of Ben and Jerry's then I better know the results are guaranteed and worth it. As soon as I see some article about the benefits of not working out or see a commercial validating my right to indulge, I become confused and my new behavior now has little meaning.
So, instead of following what everyone else is doing, what you're being told, including me, you have to find what works for you.
It took me a long time to discover what is best for me. Throughout my entire 20's I thought that being the "big guy," was what worked. I overcame childhood obesity, turned anorexic, then found muscle to indulge in. Now in my 30s I have discovered that balance is truly the key to life. We all want the extreme highs of being a "big dude," or getting 1000 likes by posting pictures of our hard-earned bodies, but that also means we have to deal with the recoil of being big (and all the inevitable pains that come with it) or the "hater's" posts on our page.
Balance and what works for you isn't found in just going to the gym or the foods you eat, but in how you think about you. It took me a long time, almost my entire life so far, to realize that I don't need others' approval to do something. I do not need to cover up my insecurities with a body image. I do not need to be everything to everybody but that is what I was doing. Instead, finding peace, balance, and yes giving up 40-50 pounds of muscle and therefore the attention I received has lead me to a deeper satisfaction in life. I am no longer distracted by meeting the perceived demands of what I thought everyone else wanted from me.
My walk with Christ has improved because I am no longer distracting myself. I no longer am totally driven by my previous, superficial idea of success, money and achievements. Again, I will step down from my high horse and remind you I stumble, heck yes I do. I am grateful for these failings as well for I believe God disciplines those he loves and he must really love me.
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| The main reason candy is so poor for health is the imbalance it causes and the calories it is replacing, thus taking nutrients and providing none. It's the imbalance, in various ways that is the problem. Not to mention blood sugar goes up, brain chemicals do too, then it all crashes just as quickly. |
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