Archives for July 2008

Frustration is a derailer.  It takes your focus off of what you are doing.  You start to replay the frustrating things over and over in your head trying to figure out how you could change them.  The one problem with that is you can't go back and change what happened.  All you can do is move ahead.

Frustration is something that will eat you up.  It will make you say and do things you wouldn't normally say or do.  You will act out with anger.  You will lash out at the source of your frustration, only to regret it later.  It happens.

I've read alot of things in blogs that lead me to believe alot of people experience frustration, but don't know how to deal with it.  I think it is amazing how much frustration there really is out there.  I see people thinking that they must see dramatic results in a short period of time and when they don't they get frustrated.  In some cases frustration comes close to derailing them from their chosen plan.  What a terrible outcome!

What if your best friend, someone that you talked to daily, suddenly told you not to call him/her ever again?  Would you be able to do it?  If you really respected that friend and wanted them to be happy, you would do what you don't want to do and stop calling.  I know that is a simplification, but it gets the point across, so no need to comment on how you should first try to mend things, etc.  I know those are all good ideas, but I'm trying to make a simple point that it is possible for us to do what we don't want to do if we just try hard enough.

I believe we need a good reason to do what we don't want to do.  To alot of people eating the right way would constitute doing what they don't wan to do.  They prefer pizza and hamburgers.  By depriving themselves of those things they are doing what they don't want to do.  For it to be successful they need a good reason to make it work.  This is why someone faced with death if they don't lose weight can suddenly make headway in an area they found difficulty previously.  They have a good reason to do it.

I've found that the more focused I get on getting the body that I want the better I am at sticking to the plan.  That focus enables me to do things I don't necessarily want to do.  I mean, it isn't the most wonderful feeling in the world tearing apart my muscles on a daily basis, but I do it because I know what I get as a result of that effort.  The pain is tolerable because of the results I get. 

This is very much a mental game. The challenges we face are not insurmountable.  The brain is a powerful thing and can overcome most obstacles placed in front of it given enough time to process things carefully.

After searching for the answer to the problem, Carlos DeJesus (inventor of the Quad Blaster) mentioned a recipe he uses to make chicken into a paste like substance that actually tastes good. (yet another reason to have a mentor who has been there and done that).  I gave it a try and honestly, the roadblock has been removed.  I am able to stomach eating more and more chicken.  I've also gone back to using canned chicken from Costco at times.  The canned chicken gives me alot of options.  I'm learning how important seasoning is to the ability to eat enough food.  It all just gives me alot more respect for people who eat the exact thing every day.  I used to be that way, but due to these texture issues, I have not been up for that lately.

Today found me continuing my reflective mood.  Please understand that what I've been going through is nothing serious.  I mean, it is very important to me, but it isn't life threatening.  It is definitely life changing at this point because it has caused me to look at myself in a different light.  To me that is a positive outcome to a negative situation.  At the same time, as I reflect I realize that the situation isn't really negative, it is only temporary. It will change and when it changes, I will end up being a better person having gone through it.

We all go through our ups and downs in life.  It is definitely a cycle that repeats itself.  Some of it can be controlled and should be controlled but alot of it has to happen for us to grow.   I truly believe in this philosophy.  Change happens when there is friction in your life.  It is all about how you react to that friction that determines the future outcome for you.

Throughout my life I've had alot of different relationship issues, so for me, when I have other issues, I tend to look at them in terms of a relationship.  At times you get too close to a situation and can't see the forest through the trees.  That's when you need to take a step back.  In a relationship this can mean time apart.  While that doesn't always work, if both people are sincere about the reason for the time apart it can work.  It is the same with other problems in life.  You take a step back so that you can see things more clearly.  As long as you are sincere about your reason for stepping back, as long as it isn't to avoid the problem, you can and will solve the problem.

Make sure that you are in touch with your feelings.  Don't bury them.  That's the worst thing that can happen. In a relationship, if you bury your feelings your partner can't make good decisions because every decision they make will be devoid of the truth about your feelings.  It is the same in other areas of your life.  Don't bury your feelings or your decisions will be wrong as they will also be devoid of the truth about your feelings.

Feeling down about your fitness progress?  That's fine, embrace the feelings.  At the same time, realize that feelings are what you make them.  Yes, anxiety can happen to everyone because of the situation they are in and that is next to impossible to control, but happiness or sadness can be controlled.  I have chosen to have a positive attitude.  It isn't easy.  My mind wanders all the time and I think “what if” types of questions, but by choosing to have a positive attitude I get through to the other side.   This has worked for me my entire life, so why would I change that now.

The journey is an important part of the process.  The journey will define your future actions.  Where you turn and what you take with you is going to be effected by the decisions you make today.  I read all the time on blogs about someone making a mistake with their nutrition and without a doubt each person shows alot of regret.  The journey should teach you that regret is not a place you want to live for any length of time.  It doesn't further your journey at all.  That is a key point to remember.

Love relationships require alot of patience.  What do you do if someone you love requests time and space to think about their issues?  Do you pressure them and risk making things worse or do you just give them the time and space they've requested?  If you are patient you give them the time and space they requested.  It is like the Chinese proverb says “If you love a thing, set it free.  If it returns to you, it is your's and if it does not, it never was your's.”  Patience.

Fitness endeavors require alot of patience.  Everyone wants a quick fix to their situation, but only patience will get you there.  It took time to gain the weight so it will take time to lose it.  Patience is about sticking to your plan and making it work.  It is about measuring progress and making small tweaks to put you on the right path. 

Patience requires that you practice self-discipline.  Do you think it is easy to give someone you love time and space?  What if they don't want you in contact with them while they take that time and space?  Suddenly you go from having that person as a large part of your life to them being a void in your life all in a split second.  Patience requires you to be disciplined about not contacting them because doing so would violate what they asked you for.  It isn't easy but it is necessary.