I had an epiphany yesterday. Well epiphany might be a bit strong. Maybe it was more of a realization. However you look at it, I think I might be on the verge of an important mental shift. I’m not fully there, but I can feel my thoughts teetering back and forth, trying to readjust themselves.
As I was looking online for some different low calorie recipes, I realized that none of them seemed to be at all appealing to me. I started thinking about what it was that I was craving. Maybe if I could pinpoint that, I could narrow down my search. Then I realized that what I really wanted was a low fat, low calorie, high fiber, and delicious version of Olive Garden’s Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo (my fav-o-rite). Once I let the ridiculousness of that request sink in, I started thinking again. I am always looking magic low-calorie food that tastes as good and is as satisfying as that bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy. I’ve also been looking for that perfect exercise or workout routine that I look forward to doing more than sitting on Facebook or watching a movie. I’ve been looking for that weight loss program that promises me that if I do exactly what they say, I will lose weight quickly and without much work. And when I can’t find those things, I feel like I’m not doing something right so I stop (usually telling myself I will get back on the wagon again once I find something that “works” - or in other words, works easily).
The other day, someone gently challenged my level of commitment to this process. They said that I wasn’t “all in.” After objectively thinking about it some, I came to the conclusion that I AM committed to this process, BUT I do realize that I may have been in a little bit of denial about the level of sacrifice that it’s going to take to get accomplished what I want to accomplish. It’s not like I’m looking to drop those last 10 pounds from winter. I want to lose at least 150 pounds. That doesn’t happen just by asking for my ranch dressing on the side.
I need to keep working on my mind. It’s not ever going to be easier to live an active, healthy lifestyle than it is to eat whatever you want and sit around. It isn’t always going to be pleasant. Sometimes I am going to be sore and out of breath. It is most likely going to be a slow process. In today’s world of fast results, that one might be the hardest for me to swallow.
Long story short, in order to have long term happiness, I am going to have to deny myself some pleasure. This is what I am going to be meditating on today.
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” I Corinthians 9:27
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
As I was looking online for some different low calorie recipes, I realized that none of them seemed to be at all appealing to me. I started thinking about what it was that I was craving. Maybe if I could pinpoint that, I could narrow down my search. Then I realized that what I really wanted was a low fat, low calorie, high fiber, and delicious version of Olive Garden’s Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo (my fav-o-rite). Once I let the ridiculousness of that request sink in, I started thinking again. I am always looking magic low-calorie food that tastes as good and is as satisfying as that bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy. I’ve also been looking for that perfect exercise or workout routine that I look forward to doing more than sitting on Facebook or watching a movie. I’ve been looking for that weight loss program that promises me that if I do exactly what they say, I will lose weight quickly and without much work. And when I can’t find those things, I feel like I’m not doing something right so I stop (usually telling myself I will get back on the wagon again once I find something that “works” - or in other words, works easily).
The other day, someone gently challenged my level of commitment to this process. They said that I wasn’t “all in.” After objectively thinking about it some, I came to the conclusion that I AM committed to this process, BUT I do realize that I may have been in a little bit of denial about the level of sacrifice that it’s going to take to get accomplished what I want to accomplish. It’s not like I’m looking to drop those last 10 pounds from winter. I want to lose at least 150 pounds. That doesn’t happen just by asking for my ranch dressing on the side.
I need to keep working on my mind. It’s not ever going to be easier to live an active, healthy lifestyle than it is to eat whatever you want and sit around. It isn’t always going to be pleasant. Sometimes I am going to be sore and out of breath. It is most likely going to be a slow process. In today’s world of fast results, that one might be the hardest for me to swallow.
Long story short, in order to have long term happiness, I am going to have to deny myself some pleasure. This is what I am going to be meditating on today.
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” I Corinthians 9:27
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
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