Diet & Exercise

…Have there ever been two subjects more talked about, mixed up and misunderstood (and maybe even avoided)?

Here you will find the straight goods to help you on the road to consistent health and fitness, which includes regular doses of exercise and of course, eating well. The word ‘diet’ seems for many to hold negative connotations – visions of starving, suffering, cutting back and denying oneself. Most of us love to eat and enjoy eating, so we are going to avoid the word diet here from now on. Instead, we’ll talk about healthy eating, lifestyle choices and tools to help with mindset and motivation. 

Article: Consistency vs. Moderation 

Exercise is another word which brings to mind negative thoughts for many people. Whether the word reminds you of sweaty, stinky gym class in grade school or of the last time you tortured yourself in the local gym on a 1st of January past, the word exercise does not always make people smile with anticipation. 

Another issue which plagues people is the proliferation of programs and ‘gurus’ who claim that their system is the ONLY system which works, and it can certainly get confusing. An article called Choosing Your Strategy addresses this phenomenon, and how to overcome it. 

Finally, there are the intertwined issues of motivation and beliefs. As previously hinted at, January 1st each year is a classic example of these issues being played out, and the results are usually predictable: you make a promise to yourself to exercise; go at it like a madman the first few days or weeks; you get very sore and de-motivated; you lose your will to continue the program; you feel crappy about yourself and justify your lack of commitment; repeat next year.

Why is the Weight Loss Industry Purse Getting Fatter While You’re Not Getting Thinner?…

Millions of people struggle with the physical and emotional ramifications of being overweight.

While the weight loss industry seems to continue growing at an astounding rate, many people are left feeling frustrated after trying many diets and ‘tricks,’ and receiving little or no concrete results.

The problem is that the weight loss industry plays into the desire people have to be thinner without addressing the reasons a person has gained weight in the first place. Unless you understand the emotions and beliefs behind your habitual behaviours, no diet or pill will help – you must change your underlying perspective in order to see results.

The deeper goal, of course, is to feel (and be!) healthy and happy, and hopefully physically fit as well. This type of lifestyle change is more than skin deep, and cannot be brought about by a pill. When one begins with frustration and doubt, a new regime stands little to no chance. The simple fact is that the habits and beliefs you hold affect your every outcome, and you must consider and change these – where appropriate – in order to achieve lasting and meaningful results.

Eating is often a far more emotional activity than we may recognize. Even choices such as sitting on the couch for the evening or driving to the corner store instead of walking are based on our inner beliefs of what is good for us, what we deserve and what we care about. Often we have our heads in the sand when it comes to our own behaviour…have you ever noticed yourself seeing someone else doing something ‘less-than-good’ and immediately judging it, whereas you may not acknowledge similar behaviour in yourself?

The first step is honesty, with the caveat that it must be with love, patience and forgiveness that you look at your past behaviours. Remember that it has possibly taken years to get to where you are today, and the solution will not necessarily be a simple one. Even so, once the crucial first step of self-honesty is taken, results can come remarkably fast and your level of joy and hope will soar. We can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge – WE are responsible for how we got here, and we are equally responsible for getting ourselves where we want to go. This applies to pursuing a healthy, happy body and mind just as it does to any endeavour.

The Good News 

What happens here is not just the lack of motivation you assume is involved. You are not weak, nor are you lazy. You may be impatient, but you are also very likely butting up against forces you didn’t realize are there – the forces of your daily habits, and more deeply, your internal beliefs. These include beliefs about what is possible for you, what level of happiness and fitness you are worthy of, what your friends and family will think, and the value of health and exercise. 

Our own beliefs are usually hidden from our consciousness, which is why they are so difficult to detect. We don’t realize they are sabotaging our efforts unless and until we do a little purposeful exploring. The great news is that any belief can be changed once it is unearthed. Sometimes just the awareness of a limiting belief is enough to eradicate it, or replace it with something that serves our goals and ourselves better.

Below are some examples so you can see more clearly the cause and effect cycles at play for many of us. You’ll find suggested resources following. 

Possibility: When you were a kid, did you have role models who demonstrated that anything is possible? Were you taught that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it? The truth is, you may have been told this, but only a lucky few ever really have this reinforced by demonstration and consistent encouragement. More likely, you were told in myriad ways – subtle and not-so-subtle – that life is limited: don’t try for that, you’ll just be disappointed; stop dreaming and get back to reality; who do you think you are?Is it any wonder we don’t hold high possibilities for ourselves in adult life? We live in mental boxes constructed by years of habits and built-up beliefs, and often these habits and beliefs were cultivated in us by other people – we did not consciously choose them! It’s time now to open your universe to the limitless possibilities available to you. The only things holding you back are things which YOU control. Anything you want to do has been done by someone else. Finding great role models for inspiration and replacing any limiting beliefs with beliefs with empowerment are two major keys to success in setting and pursuing worthy goals.

Self-Worth: Our feelings of self-worth are deeply tied to our healthy or not-so-healthy habits. Unless we believe on a deep level that we are entitled to happiness and vibrant health, we will find ways to sabotage ourselves. We’ll eat too much, we’ll make excuses for not exercising, we’ll create ‘busy’ lives for ourselves in which we have no time or energy to ensure we have healthy habits. We may even hold the afore-mentioned negative connotations to words such as health, exercise and eating well. ‘Living for today’ syndrome also falls in this category. If you are a party animal living in denial that your actions will affect your future health and well-being, you will likely find even this suggestion ludicrous. You feel you are in control and your choices are your choices, thank you very much.Warning: you are not in control. Your inner beliefs are driving you. If you really felt a high level of self-worth – if you valued your body and were aware of the consequences of your actions – you would feel you deserve only the best and would act accordingly. Your habits and food, exercise and sleep choices would naturally include what is best for you, because you adore your fine self and want to do right by the most important person in your life – YOU.

What ‘They’ Think:I remember once getting into superb shape physically, and I was extremely proud of my accomplishment. A close relative, however, felt differently, and kept making snide remarks about how skinny I was getting, and how unhealthy I looked, essentially trying anything to get me to stop changing. Whether or not she had good intentions is not the point – the point is that it made me feel uncomfortable and it distanced us from each other, causing tension and inviting self-doubt.Whenever anyone tries to change the status quo, they are faced with the challenge of dealing with the reactions of those close to them. While in an ideal world, people around us would be supportive of positive change, the reality is that most people feel threatened by change.Want to quit smoking? Face subtle ostracization from your smoking buddies at work. Want to get rich? Your friends and neighbours might reject you because they think that you think you’re ‘all that.’ Want to get fit and healthy once and for all? Your spouse and kids may lash out because you are taking some time to yourself and fulfilling your own needs for once.The simple truth is you have to make a choice. What someone else wants for you cannot be as important as what you want. It’s true – you are shaking things up, and there may be people who cannot deal with it. Remember the wise truth spoken by EFT expert Carol Look (see resources below): “What other people think of you is none of your business.”Find someone who has done what you want to do, and continue to focus on what you want. Join groups of like-minded people – online if necessary – to receive the mental support you need. Every time something happens that tempts you to feel badly or get off-track, motivate yourself with your mentors and your dreams. No one else can do this for you. It’s time to motivate yourself and get what YOU want out of your life.

Article: Dream Big: The World Needs Dreamers 

Resources and Tools 

Some great books on motivation as well as exercising and eating for health can be found as close as your local bookstore or library. Some favourites include: 

• Body for Life – 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength by Bill Phillips: Bill is the original innovator behind 12-week fitness challenges, and his inspirational book is as empowering now as it was when he wrote it. You’ll find in-depth advice on eating and exercise, forming an exacting 12 week program to get you in the best shape of your life. For ongoing motivation, you’ll find stories of real people who have undergone remarkable transformations, and who have dealt with many of the challenges we speak of here. They also have a fantastic online community.
• The Ultimate New York Body Plan by David Kirsch:David was the original genius behind the physical transformations on the ‘Biggest Loser’ reality show, and his wisdom is sought by many celebrities. His program is tough, but extremely effective, and he is full of heart. Although David has long been a sought-out expert in the field of fitness, he was so inspired himself by the dedication and results of the Biggest Loser contestants that he wrote this book. VERY inspiring and motivating.
• The Ultimate Weight Solution (The 7 Keys to Weight loss Freedom) by Dr. Phil McGraw: Yes, that Dr. Phil. He is famous for his straight-talking approach, and this book will help you take an honest look at why you have not been successful at diet and exercise attempts in the past. Get ready for breakthroughs!
• YOU – The Owner’s Manual– The Insider’s Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger by Dr. Mehemet Oz:Dr. Oz has become a sensation of late, thanks in large part to being featured many times on Oprah. He is extremely likable because he not only has a deep understanding of the human body and health issues, but he also demonstrates a human touch many doctors lack. He has a gift for explaining complex bodily functions in simple ways, and he is passionate about health and well-being. Do yourself – and your body – a favour and get this great book!
• Money and the Law of Attraction - Learning to Attract Wealth, Health and Happiness by Abraham-Hicks: This book is a good all-around primer about learning to change our beliefs in order to change our lives. It has a great section on being physically healthy. An all-around inspiring read destined to change many lives!
• Attracting Abundance With EFT by Carol Look:In this groundbreaking book, Carol is referring to abundance of all kinds, and purging limiting beliefs is what EFT is all about. Because limiting beliefs play such a large part in our motivation and ability to stay fit and healthy, this is included here. EFT is short for Emotional Freedom Technique, and is based on freeing the energy in our bodies, much like acupuncture and accupressure. The technique is painless, self-administered and immediately effective. Don’t believe it? Try it for yourself! You can find out more about EFT by visiting ThrivingNow.com.

The following is a mixed list of helpful tools to assist you in achieving your fitness and health goals. 

• The Million Dollar Body Game at Fitness Destinations:Team BeachBody, headed by passionate fitness buff and coach Aaron Potts and his amazing wife Shanna, is a great place to start for both motivation and technique. Aaron has put together a comprehensive pool of resources and their combined passion for all things fitness will help you accomplish your own goals. Enjoy!
• Raw Diet: More and more people swear by eating a diet either mostly or completely consisting of raw (uncooked) foods. This trend comes on the tail of the growing trend towards vegetarianism, and proponents and converts say you will enjoy enormously increased energy and vitality. For more information, try RawFoods.com, which is filled with articles, recipes and more. For more anecdotal encouragement, try the thought-provoking site and blog by Steve Pavlina.
• Digestive Cleansing: As we learn more about how our bodies work, doctors are becoming alarmed at how poor diet affects our health. This is especially true for those in the ‘modern,’ western world, where diets high in saturated fat, salt and sugar are the norm. One correction we can take to cleanse our bodies is called detoxification or colon cleansing, and this is now becoming popular. Although it is a difficult subject to discuss, colon cancer and diseases caused by poor eating and digestive habits is on the rise, and can be deadly. To address this issue, colon hydrotherapy studios are popping up in trendy neighbourhoods, and personal remedies are becoming easier to find.
• Behaviour Modification: Don’t let the name fool you – this is powerful stuff, but it’s simple and fun as well when you work with ThinkRightNow!This innovative company produces soothing audio programs to assist in replacing our limiting beliefs with empowering thoughts. Their success has been explosive, as the audios are not only wonderful to listen to but also extremely effective. They have helped people with everything from quitting smoking to fitness and goal achievement to financial and sales success. You can often find deals based on investing in more than one audio. Enjoy, and start thriving!
• Meditation: It may seem odd to see this in a diet and exercise section, but remember that our states of mind deeply affect how we behave. Mediheaven by Meditainment is an exceptional resource. They offer guided meditations – many of them free – that cover a number of topics. These popular audios are featured on the in-flight programming of many airlines, including Air Canada, China Airlines, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic. Join today and get your free sample audios – it’s worth it just for the complimentary ones, including a fantastic instant relaxation program which works right on your computer screen.