Getting Past What Holds You Back with Baby Boomer Weight Loss Expert Scott 'Q' Marcus
I have had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Sue Morter a few times (and interviewing her) and absolutely love what she talks about, a fascinating take on how we are connected to the universe.
You cannot get the full feeling without being in the audience, but it’s as close to life-changing as almost any experience I have attended. Having said that, here’s a taste.
I don’t remember who told me that, and as much as I find the term “failures” to be a sloppy choice of words, it’s a valid concept. Day by day, hour-by-hour, we face options. Often, one path leads us forward while another locks us in place. Why then do we opt to stay where we are?
The human psyche is past complex and the reasons are beyond count. Sometimes, we didn’t realize alternatives existed until we look back. Possibly, the choices did not seem that diverse; in effect it was six of one, half a dozen of the other; any port in a storm. Maybe it was a snap decision without the necessary time to truly evaluate the results. Yet, more times than not, no sugarcoating the answer: we had an excuse.
At any moment, any one of us can dig deep into our sack of justification pulling forth numerous vindications why we make our choices. “Not enough time; people will think less of me; it’s never worked before, why will this be different?” As the stakes amplify, immovability expands, the opposite of what needs to happen.
Part 2 of 3 (part 1 can be found here; part 3 can be found here)
You don’t have to look very far to find research that supports that stress leads to serious health problems on down the line – blocked arteries, heart attacks, strokes and even mental health issues. Reality says that there is no way you can avoid stress, so let’s manage it.
Exercise increases stamina, helps you keep your weight under control, lowers blood pressure and the physical signs of stress like skin problems and wrinkles.
You might be thinking that there is no way you have time during the day to exercise. I bet you could find time if you try something listed below.
Good sleep habits are a key to stress management. Sleep deprivation shortens your reaction times in critical situations and increases the effects that stressors have on your normal behavior. Your goal should be to get 6 – 8 hours of sleep every night.
“Not to decide” is indeed to decide.Whether we actively make a decision, or we say to ourselves, “Let’s see how this goes for a little while longer,” we are still making a decision.
In one case, we’re owning what we do, accepting the consequences, empowering ourselves to take action.
In the other case – although we’re still making a decision – we are giving up control, opting to remain a victim to what happens.
It’s OK to take time to “think about things.”
A few months ago, our garage door opener stopped working out of the blue with my car stuck inside the garage. I mentioned to my husband I was just going to buy a new clicker but he stopped me, insisting that he could fix ours. I love him dearly, but he doesn’t have a handy bone in his body. Although he thought this was his chance to shine – he went so far as to call me a damsel in distress – I knew from past experience we were going to end up with a pile of tools on the dining room table, a still-broken item (see also: the blender, our stereo), and his bad mood after well-intentioned repair efforts failed.
After a heated argument, my dear husband gave in and we replaced the garage door opener instead of trying to fix it. We had a long talk once he’d calmed down and I stressed the importance of honesty with oneself. I used myself as an example: I love to run but I’m not ready to attempt a marathon. I made sure he knew that a lack of skill with electronics repair didn’t mean he wasn’t a good provider, a loving spouse, and the funniest person I’ve ever known. Should you know someone similarly determined to fix everything in his/her path, here are some criteria for evaluating what they can handle and what should be handed over to a professional.
Many home improvement projects don’t require the help of a professional. You can find lots of do-it-yourself guides and videos that explain exactly how an inexperienced person can do the project. Keep in mind that your aspirations might be bigger than the project at hand. If you’re installing a tile backsplash in your kitchen, you can probably finish the work on your own. Ripping out the plumbing in a spare bathroom is another pursuit entirely. Know your skill level and your limits. It’s wonderful to want to be the handiest repair person to ever live on your cul-de-sac, but you also don’t want to place an emergency call to a plumber if you get in over your head. [Read more…]
