Your weight. It is just a number. Does it really matter?
2010, a year of action for me. I could also call this year, a year of reflection. I’ve been very thoughtful about what I want. What’s my legacy? How am I doing raising my kids? What are my passions? What do I offer as a fitness blogger, technologist? Where do I go? What do I do?
Today, has brought that even closer. A co-worker of my wife died unexpectedly today. She was young in my book, 33. She leaves behind her husband and a two year old son. Life is short.
I often live thinking I have plenty of time. I say to everyone that long lifespans run strong in my family. I have good genes, and I am taking steps fitness and nutrition wise to help get the most of my good genes. This thinking of plenty of time to go often means I waste time. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.
Now, I did not know the lady who died. I may have met her once, but I really don’t know if I could pick her out. I’m sure there is more to this story that I do not know. My own human selfishness and ego makes me think of myself and my family. How blessed I am and grateful to be given such great gifts. I have two wonderful kids, a wonderful wife, family, and friends. We often take each other for granted. We take ourselves for granted. I implore you. Don’t!
So, your fitness, your nutrition, your weight. Does it really matter?
We can go two ways:
1) We can say to ourselves: I’m going to die soon anyway, I must as well live it up, eat what I want, like pizza, ice cream, cookies, cake, french fries, etc. Do the actions I want like waste time on the internet or watching TV.
-or-
2) We can say to ourselves: I’m going to die soon anyway, I should take care of my body to extend my usefulness. Extend my legacy. Extend the help I can give to others. Cherish the minutes we have together. Treat your body as a cherished gift that is borrowed and must be returned to the Maker.
Does it really matter?
In science, I have found if you are between two hypothesis. Often times, the combination of the two is the answer.
So. I should live it up. Eat what I want. Do the actions I want. Yet, how can I do the actions I want if I stuff myself with unhealthy food? How can I live it up, if I eat so much that I won’t even be able to walk around with my kids or ride bikes to the park, or do any number of things that people would classify as live it up.
How do we live it up? We must build our own self-discipline to live in moderation. Sure, you can eat cake, you can have ice cream, pizza, french fries. You just have to do it in moderation. We can’t eat that way for every meal. In fact, eating like that every meal makes all those treats less of treats.
Back to Why does it matter? This past month, I have gained two pounds, and my trend has started to creep up despite my increased exercise efforts. I know my diet and nutrition must change.
Add to that my constant inward look at myself and recent events.
I ask myself:
Does it really matter?
At fitbloggin, Roni gave the speakers some nice silver boxes with this quote from Winston Churchill
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Let’s give another example: there is this theory in Personal Finance, that the more you give away, the more you get back in return. So, if you give 10% of your income, you will receive that money back more than you will ever think.
The same can be said for our own self-discipline and weight loss. By cutting back on what we get (eating), and increasing what we give (our actions and exercise), we will improve our individual lives ten-fold both physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Does it really matter?
It only matters if we think it does. We decide. Its a decision. Its our life. We can do and think what we want. That’s part of what makes us Human.
I’m saying a prayer tonight for the 2 year old boy without his birth mother and the husband without his mate. Raising children with two parents is difficult enough much less losing one’s partner.
Some links that recently reinforced my current reflective thoughts:
Watching this talk from Ben Dunlap on a passionate life
Derek Sivers writing that a real person is behind that computer.
Sean Wilson losing weight and breaking a weight milestone.
[Sean keep it up! You’ll make your goal sooner than later! Thanks for the inspiration.]
Mac talking about Beating Exhaustion.
[Mac you Rock too! You have achieved more than what many people talk about doing. Listen and Live. You’ll keep going.]
Does it really matter?
Sometimes we need to stop, listen, and enjoy.
Maybe we achieve goals, and we’re elated. Other times, we feel exhausted.
Life is a roller coaster. The higher the highs, the lower the lows. Without the lows, there would be no highs.
Live your life! Be passionate! Find something anything to motivate you!
No matter how difficult it is for you to lose weight, gain weight, exercise, or achieve whatever fitness goal you have. Remember. Its your choice. Your life is a gift. Cherish it. Move!
Does it really matter? You must decide!