Healthy weight loss: Is it an oxymoron? You know, a phrase whose words seem self-contradictory: jumbo shrimp, a wise fool, an honest politician, the whole part, or a little pregnant. With our current obsession with immediate gratification "healthy weight loss" does seem to fit in nicely. But today I would like to move it from an oxymoron to an oxy-lesson ... with your help of course.
Here's how I see it, if I've said it once I've said it a million times, if we can clone a sheep we should be able to create a chocolate chip cookie that contains more nutrition than a salad. Sounds reasonable right? And while I'm saying it, I actually believe it. However I don't think my former logic professor would agree. In fact he would probably argue that I should drop the "oxy" and move directly into the "moron" category.
But I blame technology, and here's why, within the world of technology, everything seems possible. We can harness electricity, fly planes, and from our phone, with the push of a button, look at a satellite photo of a street corner in downtown London. And it is easy to project this same infinite potentiality to all things. We say, if we can do that, why can't I have six-pack abs by taking this pill, or why can't I have my high school figure back in four weeks by working out five minutes a day using this latest piece of fitness equipment that I bought last night at two in the morning?
Here's why not, because we live in a world that has rules. We have devoted lots of time to studying the physical world and have learned the rules that govern it. And working with the rules, scientists have created the most amazing things. But for some reason when it comes to our health, even though we all know the rules we seem to want to work outside them.
What do I mean? Ask any fifth grader whether it makes more sense to lose weight quickly or slowly over time, what do you think they would say? If you ask them whether or not it is healthier to lose 20 pounds in one month or to lose the 20 pounds over six months what would they say? Now I know that this isn't a fair example because as the show has made so abundantly clear, none of us are smarter than a fifth grader, but you get the point. And in case you are a few years out of fifth grade and don't have easy access to a fifth grader ... here's a quick refresher on the rules to remember.
1. The tortoise always beats the hare. You didn't put the weight on in a week, you don't need it to come off in a week. Make your goal to be a slow and steady releasing of the extra weight.
2. The little engine that could. He could only because he kept a positive attitude. Losing weight is not only about the weight, it is about our relationship with ourselves. Your attitude and what you are saying to yourself makes all the difference. Be gentle but firm with your commitment to losing the weight you want.
3. All we need to know we learned in kindergarten. Remember that beautiful little essay? However knowledge without action is useless. We need to put what we know into practice every day, not just for a couple days or weeks. By doing a few things to take care of ourselves each day we make being healthy a way of life.
Now, here's the good news. When you remember the rules, and work with them, just like the scientist you have infinite potential. Yes, you will lose weight. Yes you will feel better and more alive than you have in years. And yes while you will still continue to get older you do not have to grow old. And the best part is that when you make being healthy a habit, you don't just get good results some of the time, but all of the time. For more tips, or to get our free e-book on healthy weight loss and how to make being healthy easier and more fun than ever visit us at www.completebalance.com.
So in conclusion, and using three of my favorite oxymorons, let go of the crowd who wants to "definitely maybe" get healthy, but who are "consistently inconsistent" in their practice and are stuck in the "insane logic" of impossible promises. You are now leaving the oxymorons behind because "healthy you," is simply not one of them.
Sincerely,
The Baietto Brothers