Wednesday, July 13, 2011

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!

17 comments:

La Saun Taylor, SFG, AFAA-CPT said...

Great post Tracy!

SupremeCzarina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Well said, Tracy!

Fatguy said...

Thanks for the motivation!

Kellie said...

Thank you Tracy! I got your new video in the mail today. I love all the detail on the technique. It helps a lot. I will be going to Nashville on the 19th of this month to train with Dave Whitley. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to make sure I am training correctly and now I can train with you and Mark and Fawn anytime I want. I learned a lot about Lats I didn't know, which is a lot. Tell Mark he is an excellent teacher. I like the way you two explain in detail about the mechanics. I like to know how to do something but I also like to know why and what it helps. I will probably end up getting Mark's Lat video because he explained them and how they tie in to the rest of our body so well. No wonder I am losing my upper body strength it all ties in together. Thanks again.

Maribel said...

Sometimes I think it's out of habit that people complain. Like an automatic response or something.

I know that I can get down on myself at times, though it seems to be happening less and less. My husband says I'm a completely different person now...mostly he's talking about attitude.

The readiness to change is different for everyone and what you're willing to do, or how you adjust is very individual. When I get asked what I did to lose weight and I explain, almost always I get "Oh, I would never do that, it's too much work". I usually answer, "well, you'll figure out what will work for you when you're ready". It's like going through some sort of acceptance and then tackling it head on...at least it was like that for me.

Juci SFG said...

Extremely well put, Ma'am!

I like Maribel's attitude, too.
One might also add there that hard work will eventually work for everbody :)

Anonymous said...

I'm not new to being overweight or kettlebells. I've used kbs to lose weight and get healthy. Over the last 8 months I've had a rotator cuff issue on both sides and kettlebelling has been out of reach for me. Now I've gained 10-12 pounds and feel like doodoo and shoulders are still very painful. I picked up your dvd and swings are all I can do. Guy 1, Grim Reaper 0! Great article! thanks Tracy!

Tracy Reifkind said...

La Saun,

Both of us know the possibilities. It all starts with belief. If you don't believe, you cannot acheive.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Thanks Karen!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Fatguy,

Motivation.....the key right? The million dollar answer to the question of how to stay motivated.

I've got to write more thoughts on the subject of motivation....maybe I'll be able to better articulate what it is for me.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Kellie,

Thank you, Mark and I are extrememly proud of this video.

Mark DVD on Lats is so good I asked to get an audio version for my car....still don't have it yet...

Say "hey" to Dave for me....he's becoming quite the "swing king" these days....good for him!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Maribel,

I get "down on myself" all the time....but rarely "out loud".

As I wrote about at the end of this blogpost, I always follow a negetive thought with a positive thought.

We all have negetive thoughts, but it's kind of like going to bed mad at your partner....if you don't "make up" first you wake up still feeling like shit. And who wants to feel like shit? I don't! You've got to "make up" with yourself!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Juci,

Hard work will always work...if you have the right attitude!

I always say, "Show up, do the work, and the body will follow...it has to!"

Moving weights, especially swinging weights has an affect on your body whether you want it to or not! If anyone doesn't believe me, try it! Not just one time, but consistently. Even just 4 swing workouts can start to visibly show physical changes.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Guy,

Congratulations on reconnecting with your body again....your strong body!

Kellie said...

Tracy thanks for the insight. I am the world's worst about beating the crap out of myself verbally. I like to think I am keeping myself in line but I am just dragging myself farther and farther down. I will try your way and follow the negative with a positive thought. I usually say mine out loud sometimes it is whole conversations. Starting today as Sam Cooke sang a change is gonna come. Thanks!!

Dave said...

Awesome Tracy! Hopefully I can meet you when you come to MN this fall.

Dave