The Zen of Calories

Part Three: An Investment in Health

Importances

I believe it to be a true statement that we always find the time to do the things that are important to us, whether that’s listening to music, eating, reading, running, watching television, playing with our kids, or dieting.

How can dieting, you might ask, which in essence is not doing something (as in not eating) take time? Trust me, it does.

Personal Commitment

And here’s another unavoidable, and perhaps uncomfortable truth: success in any venture — and especially in a long-term plan of substantial weight loss — requires a considerable personal commitment and investment, not only of time, but of money as well.

Change

I’ve heard it said that insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result each time. To change conditions, and to start losing — rather than hoarding — weight, means you have to change something. Not only mental factors such as outlook, intention, and hope — although these are all important, too — but you have to change what you actually do, the actions you take.

Investment

Looking back at the First Law of Thermodynamics (our friend), you know that in order to lose weight you will have to burn more calories than you consume and that in turn means that you either have to exercise more, or consume less, or a little (or a lot) of both.

Exercise takes time. You will have to set aside a time for it (and stick to that schedule). Calorie counting takes time (yes, you will have to count them, no way around it). Your old running/walking shoes are either falling apart, or you don’t have a pair, that means buying new ones. Pick up a sweatsuit, too, while you’re at it.

And who knows how accurate your scale is anyway. The one you have may be fibbing now and then. Better get a new one of these as well — of high quality, a truth-teller.

This all adds up to investment.

Importances Revisited

I am sure that you know, at least on paper, that obesity is not healthy and that the heavier you are, the more your health will suffer. You can see why this is, and theoretically speaking, you completely agree. You’re smart, you can follow the logic here.

Still, somewhere there’s a serious disconnect.

According to a 2013 study, an estimated 160 million Americans are either obese or overweight (nearly three-quarters of American men and more than 60% of American women). Also, nearly 30% of boys and girls under age 20 are either obese or overweight, up from 19% in 1980.

Internationally, nearly one-third of the world’s population is obese or overweight. Today, 2.1 billion people — nearly 30% of the world’s population — are either obese or overweight, according to a new, first-of-its-kind analysis of trend data from 188 countries.

This is overwhelming proof that for 2.1 billion people these health facts do not really have anything to do with them — not important enough to be of true concern. No bearing on their lives. Not really.

Regret

A very rich man, on his deathbed, was asked if he had any regrets. Yes, he admitted, he did have regrets and they had nothing to do with wealth, or possessions, or consumption, or some failed corporate takeover bid. His regrets had to do with not spending more time with family, with not helping someone in need, with not maintaining friendships.

His importances — now in stark relief against the short measure of life remaining — had shifted to what really matters.

Health Matters

Let’s say that again: health matters.

It certainly matters a lot more than fast food and television. And if you are to succeed in losing weight, your health has to become important. Not lip service important, but truly — touching your heart and soul — important. The word I’d use is paramount.

Without a sincere, personal and emotional connect with the importance of health, why even bother? Unless you embrace health fully and truly, the weight-loss journey would be just about impossible to make.

So, let’s say that again: health matters.

Investment Revisited

To succeed, you have to do whatever it takes, even if that means foregoing other, more immediate pleasures. Even if you have to sell your television to pay for your new running shoes. Even if you have to go to bed an hour earlier just to fit the exercise in. Even if you just don’t like kale or running.

You are investing in a healthy life, and few, if any, investments could be more important to you, or to the ones who love you.

Or to the ones you love.

© Wolfstuff