Getting Past What Holds You Back with Baby Boomer Weight Loss Expert Scott 'Q' Marcus
I am constantly exposed to new information.
When what I learn no longer matches what I knew, it’s healthy to adjust what I think and what I feel. Simply holding on to yesterday’s beliefs because I’ve had them for a long time is no reason to continue to harbor them. It’s healthier to change.
I do not wish to be the type of person who slowly, sadly shakes his head, pining for a simpler past, longingly opening conversations with “When I was a kid…” Moreover, when I become aware of an unfortunate societal trend, I try to prevent cranking up my inner curmudgeon, cynically inquiring of my peers, “What has gone wrong with our society?”
Having said that, something has gone wrong with our society because — when I was a kid — brides-to-be didn’t shove tubes up their noses to lose weight before their weddings.
While skimming TV channels, images of young women commuting to work with feeding tubes hanging from their noses flitted across the screen. They didn’t seem ill; quite the contrary, they looked to be “in the pink” (yet another reference from “when I was a kid”). The reporter explained that some women with upcoming nuptials are resorting to a severe calorie-restricted crash diet to drop ten to 20 pounds in the two weeks prior to their big days. That unto itself is not newsworthy; long before “I was a kid,” I imagine women (and even some men) resorted to last minute diets in order to present their best in front of friends, family, and God.
What was exceptional was that, in these cases, the method of choice consisted of consuming only 800 calories a day, delivered in the form of shakes served through a medically implanted feeding tube threaded through the woman’s nose, down the esophagus, and into her stomach. The tube remains in place ten days and the procedure costs about $1,500. Side effects include bad breath, constipation and dizziness. (Nothing says, “kiss the bride” like halitosis.) The doctor performing the procedure said, “At first I decided not to do it for people who just want to lose a few pounds. But then I thought, why should I say five or ten pounds are not enough? People want to be perfect.”
Yet, this is beyond the pale. [Read more…]
We think that “success” is always “out there,” in a far away place. Because of that thought process, we feel inadequate and frustrated.
The reality is we can draw the boundaries of success to be wherever we want them to be.
Maybe we aren’t at our correct weights, but we’re closer to them. Maybe our finances aren’t in the shape we want them, but they’re getting closer. Maybe our relationships aren’t where they could be, but they’re improving.
Isn’t positive movement the “real” definition of success?
If we expect that in order to be “happy,” we must always be happy, we will only be disappointed.
If – at the end of the day – we can say we were happy more times than we were not, then indeed we are happy. If that is not the case, we need to take a look at why we are not and make changes to become so.
Happiness is my choice. No one makes me happy – and no one can take it from me.
Part 3 of 3 (part 2 can be found here)
Stress is very personal, and so are the things in your life that create your stress. First, identify what “stresses you out” and make a management plan that works for you and your family. Begin with your “To Do” list.
1. Write down everything you need to get done on List #1.
2. Divide a 2nd sheet of paper into three categories:
- Critical – These items must be completed immediately because people or deadlines are depending on them. Some tasks that create conflict or are emotionally difficult to do should be placed here too.
- Important – These tasks are not as immediate as critical, yet still urgent.
- Postpone/Delegate – This category is a true stress reliever because it lets you delegate tasks. These tasks can slide for a bit while you tend to those on the critical list. Is it a task you can hand off to someone else? That takes it from your plate and may even work into another’s specialty area.
3. Now, return to list #1 and go through each item one at a time. Honestly determine where to place each task on your category list. You should have a new priority list that is fairly evenly divided among the three categories. This is more manageable.
4. Begin to tackle your tasks with the list under “Critical.”
You’ll find extra time in your day if you organize areas of your life to enable you to function more efficiently. [Read more…]