Its been an incredible weekend with friends, but I know the guys will be hurting when they have to reenter a normal routine next week. Currently, they think they are rockstars. Slightly delusional, but I won't be the one to kill that dream...yet.
Today is the big wedding day, as Ryan and Katherine take the ultimate plunge and she becomes Mrs. Galligan. I'm sure the ceremony will be beautiful and everything will go smoothly....the only thing that has me worried are the moves that will ultimately bust out on the dance floor. This could go south rather quickly. I've seen this crowd in action and I'm fairly certain that at least 6 people missed their calling as a stripper. Not sure that can actually be a "calling", but let's just say they have a special gift. Yes, I will have my camera ready as evidence to future kids that their parents are heathens,.....and dear friends.....heathens and friends. Its an honest combo.
So, last time I said I would touch on a subject that has come up numerous times over the last few weeks with clients. Its mainly been with my female clients, and I think its simply because cookouts, parties, and vacations are upon us and so the opportunity to slack off, gorge ourselves, and drink into oblivion has reached a new high. I say that as several livers will no longer be eligible for donation in this house after this weekend. The irony...
I had a few women come up to me inquiring about living a "fit" lifestyle in the midst of all this. We'd go over nutrition and activity strategies for the weekend and then they'd respond "ugh, but I have a party this weekend." The smartass part of me (probably my largest part), was thinking "...and your point iiissss?!" No, I didn't say that, because what I've discovered over the last 7 years is that people tend to think of it in black/white and completely miss the whole lifestyle aspect of it. They genuinely believe, and have actually said this to me, that "if I want to be fit then I WILL NOT have a life." You'd be amazed how many times I've heard that. Ok, I will now attempt to address this in a civil manner without cursing...
98% of you are not looking to compete or take fitness/nutrition habits to the extreme where you're LIFE is dramatically effected and you are in any way inhibited by healthy choices. Read that again because its important. You simply want to feel good, perhaps lose some weight, establish a routine, and be the healthiest YOU that you can be. Correct? Ok,...first, I would say that if you're serious about your goals, then there are some obvious habits that will change as a result. HOWEVER, does this mean that you can't attend functions/parties/gatherings? NO. So then some of you are thinking but there's all this great food there, and beer, and wine, and blah blah blah. You're right. There is. So here's a bigger thought for you,.....STOP MAKING IT ABOUT THE FOOD.
We're immersed in a culture that makes social events more about the food than relationships. Whether you're attending a wedding, graduation party, birthday party, or God forbid a family reunion, strive to be more intune with the people and conversation instead of the banana pudding staring you down like a predator. Too often we go there already resigning ourselves to this notion that we have to eat everything on the buffet, drink like fish, and try every dessert. 2 things...1) No one is force-feeding you, so yes, you do have a choice, and 2) there are generally some healthier options. When you toil over going or not going to an event where tempting food will be, you are basically giving food power over you. You are waiving the white flag of surrender to an undeserving"opponent" that should not even be labeled as such to begin with. The goal is not to have a twisted-adversarial-relationship with what you put in your mouth.
Is there a time to splurge and enjoy something you crave? Yes. But its not everyday or at every event. And let me remind you that everyone's goals are different. We need to stop playing the victim to "a busy social schedule" or "I'm traveling" or "but there was cake there". Instead, practice good 'ol fashion will-power and moderation, focus on your goals, and mentally remind yourself that its not about the food. Will it be easy? No. BUT, I guarantee that you'll feel better the next day. And THAT will be the catalyst into a new lifestyle.
You do have choices people. BUT, it doesn't have to be an either/or life. HEALTH doesn't have to be extreme, and part of being healthy is creating a balanced mindset. There is a time to rest, run, splurge, go harder, back off, etc...
We are striving for health....physical as well as mental. One day at a time :)
I'll leave you with a few pictures thus far from our trip...(ladies and the rockstars)...
That's all for now....beach time once again.
I need to lube up and get rolling. Red today, brown tomorrow. Probably not the best words to live by....ranks up there with "YOLO". A motto spoken by pretty much everyone who is about to make a horrible decision and ruin that "one life" they speak about. Awesome.
Here's to another day at the beach!!!
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