Posts Tagged ‘movie’
Should we diet like a zombie?
Halloween seems like a perfect time of year to confess that I often compare myself to a zombie. And not because I’m on a constant quest for “Brains… Brains…” — although certainly some people who know me might argue that a mission like that would be appropriate. But no… For me, the “zombie comparison” comes from my commitment to constantly moving — and often stumbling — forward, no matter what kind of odds or circumstances I’m facing.
Picture, if you will, a zombie in a field, moving toward its goal — one (often ungraceful) step at a time. Although this zombie might be missing a limb or two — or even if it’s being shot at — it just keeps on going. Kind of like the Energizer Bunny — only with more blood and guts. Still, there’s something to be admired about the zombie’s drive. And that’s why I often liken myself to one of these undead creatures (even during times of year when All Hallow’s Eve isn’t nigh).
Believe it or not, this comparison can be especially helpful if one has suffered a crisis of spirit due to a recent loss or disappointment. It’s tough to stay committed to one’s goals after experiencing a setback (no matter what aspect of life it pertains to).
Similarly, it’s sometimes tough to walk out the front door when your heart and spirit are heavy — perhaps feeling like you’ve gone one step forward and two steps back (feel free to insert your own analogy here). We all have days where matters of the heart, our health, our career or another seemingly crushed desire (even if just temporarily crushed) seem to weigh us down due to original intentions evading us (no matter how hard we’ve worked to achieve said goals).
Some days it feels almost impossible to keep on moving in the direction we’d originally intended for ourselves. It’s these kind of “down days” that seem to call out for staying in bed and hiding under the covers. Or cheating on our diets. Or picking an argument with a loved one. Or telling our boss off. Or giving up completely.
Again, this can all be likened to the life of a zombie.
After all, it’s not any easier to reach a lofty life goal than it is to dig yourself out of a grave — not to mention move across a large field fast enough to catch up with someone who has two working legs and can likely run faster than you can stumble. Think about it… Neither we nor the zombie totally knows exactly what he or she is doing. And yet the zombie just continues to stumble forward, sure that his or her goal will be worth it. In other words, zombies never give up. And this is something we can definitely take a cue from — whether wanting to reach our goal mindset, goal weight, goal promotion, goal marriage or goal whatever.
Just as a zombie is committed to stumbling forward to reach those sought-after brains — even when being shot at, attacked or even pulled apart (torn limb from limb, for crying out loud) — we can do the same when approaching our goals.
Sure, we don’t always know what obstacles lie ahead of us (setbacks that we can’t predict — even ones that seemingly block our efforts and require us to rethink our strategies from another starting point). But no matter what knocks us down, we have the option of considering it to be a temporary thing and then getting back up and recommitting to stumbling toward our goal. Because eventually — even when stumbling — as long as we’re moving forward, we’re going to reach our desired destinations.
So this Halloween, whenever you happen to see a zombie on TV in The Walking Dead, in a movie or at a costume party (hopefully as opposed to seeing a real one that’s sizing you up like a Thanksgiving dinner), take a moment to acknowledge that you have something in common with the walking dead.
And, of course, if you do happen to see a real zombie, run (don’t stumble) the other way. After all, we need all of the brains that we can hold onto. Besides, the run will potentially do your heart — and spirit — some good.
Image Source: InstaWebgram
Declare your independence
Every year when Independence Day rolls around, I’m reminded as much of my own individual independence as I am of the country’s. And both are worth celebrating.
It was years (and years!) ago when a friend of mine was having a July 4th picnic and barbecue at her lake house. There were lots of people there and everyone was encouraged to bring a food dish of some kind. I probably don’t have to tell you that virtually every dish there was not diet friendly. Even the fruit salad had been “goosed” with marshmallows, whipped cream and other sugary additives. This was to say nothing of all the other foods that were available.
After topping out at over 450 pounds and finally realizing I had to just stop eating so much, I had been on my new, healthier eating plan since March of that same year. So here I was at this July 4th picnic — roughly 4 months later. And while I’d had great success so far, I still wasn’t secure enough to go off my diet for a day — or even for a meal. Thus, along with the healthy salad dish I’d brought to share, I had also brought my own picnic lunch to the get together. But once there — and once surrounded by all the tempting smells and visuals — I felt overwhelmed.
I mentioned something about my eating insecurities to the party’s host, who admittedly had her hands full. Although a very good friend (and therefore very familiar with my years-long plight to lose weight), she dismissed my insecurities in a very curt fashion. And hey, she had every right to do so. But I had every right to do what I did next.
I found the friend I came with and asked her if she would mind leaving the party (even though we’d just arrived 15 minutes earlier). She was game. Thus, we “snuck out” as to not disturb any other guests and ended up going to a movie. My friend ate popcorn. I ate my little lunch I’d brought. And guess what? It was one of the best “4th of July Picnics” I’ve ever been on. And it was also a real turning point in regard to my feeling more and more confidant that this time I was finally going to take off all the excess weight once and for all. I had put myself and my needs (in regard to health) first.
Now, loyal readers of this blog know that I’m always reminding you (and myself) that we didn’t get fat from one cookie — or even one meal. And I suggest never cutting out every single treat from our lives (mainly because it’s the on/off cycle that teaches us to cheat). So I’m not saying it’s not okay to enjoy a 4th of July picnic (or other special meal) in a balanced and moderate fashion. But sometimes we know that a taste of a certain something just might trigger a binge — and therefore we decide to go without… And there are times that will mean taking ourselves out of (potential) harm’s way. Had I not left the 4th of July picnic, I might have eaten something I didn’t want to and that might have wrecked all of my efforts (and success) I’d attained during the previous 4 months.
I will admit that my friend (the party’s host) was miffed that I left the party. And I understand her feelings. But I also understand mine. And yes, me and that friend are fine to this day, friendship-wise.
Looking back, declaring a little independence was something I needed to do to prove to myself that this time I was really serious about not only taking the weight off, but keeping it off. By March of the following year, I’d shed almost all of the excess 250+ pounds that I needed to lose. And after some yo-yo-ing, as I got used to eating “normal” (whatever that is), I have kept those excess 250+ pounds off for over a decade. And if that isn’t worth waving a flag over, I don’t know what is.
Have you ever had a situation where you had to choose your sanity (or your diet) over a social occasion or (even more challenging) a friendship? Do tell!
Photo Source: Time and Date
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