The Grim Reaper

There seems to be this weird cloud of depression that looms over discussions of diet, weightloss and how to get in shape, as if the Grim Reaper himself was delivering the bad news. Depression over what seems to be, sometimes, an insurmountable task. No one, or very few people, are happy being fat, or unhealthy, or not fit, yet they're not happy with the answer about how to fix it.....because it can be fixed.

What's so bad or depressing about feeling good? What's so difficult about the thought of eating foods our bodies crave for good health, and moving our bodies in ways that make is stronger and feel more alive?

Well, I can only answer that based on how I used to feel.

It didn't feel good to me to be fat, but at the time it felt good to eat unlimited and unrestricted amounts of foods more. It was a trade off I consciously made everyday. I wasn't happy about being fat, but I was happy. I knew exactly how to change it, and when the time came I proved it! I was finally fed up with looking and feeling the way I did I made some major changes. The major change was the kinds of foods I was eating, but I didn't change the amount of food I ate. I found a way to eat unlimited and unrestricted amounts of vegetables, and in a way that was satisfying. The only foods that were off limits were anything I didn't make myself, and topping the list was fast food.

If I felt I had to eat small amounts of foods, especially foods I didn't enjoy much, was not work for the long haul....that would have been depressing....or should I say, felt depressing, because it shouldn't be the end of the world to not be able to stuff my face. Ultimately I think it would be super to feel happy and satisfied eating less and feeling lighter (I've got to meditate on that one).

The thought of exercising was depressing because I had never done anything that made me feel better about myself fast enough to motivate me to keep going, or to keep showing up! This is why it's so important to chose something that allows you to be successful in seeing and feeling progress. Chosing something really hard for an unfit body, like running , or Crossfit can be equally unmotivating if it breaks you down. Breaking down is not progress, being or feeling successful at something is.

Even if you are not ready to make changes, big or small, towards a healthier life know this....it's never too late to kick the Grim Reaper in the ass! The Grim Reaper may seem to be in the form of diet and exercise, but really He's in the unhealthy amounts of food we eat, an inactive lifestyle, and the feelings of not being in control of the things we say we really want for ourselves.

Some people may think that it's easy for me to say these things, and you know what? It is easy for me....now! But it can be easy for you too. I don't think I'm more special, more lucky, or smarter, but I do think I'm special, lucky and smart! And you should feel the same way about yourself. I don't write blogposts to tell you what to do, I just journal what I do and how I feel. The last thing I want to write, say, or do, is anything that would make someone feel defeated, unmotivated, or without hope.

Follow up any hopeless thoughts with hopeful thoughts. The Grim Reaper hates hope!