Posts Tagged ‘obesity’

Yesterday I was whining on a call with my business coach about not wanting to do a task that I needed to do.  I spoke of how I continue to procrastinate because I (stamping foot) simply didn’t want to do it. Even though it is an important task to move my business forward, I (whiiiine) didn’t want to build it into my daily “to do” list. Yes, I converted into my inner 4year old with arms crossed and lower lip stuck out (pout!).

Have you ever felt that way?

My coach didn’t hesitate and simply said….”you are reluctant to do this simply because the pain isn’t great enough.” He then asked “if your boys were kidnapped and held for ransom and the conditions of the ransom where that you do that task for an hour each day for a month, would you do it?”

You bet I would! For two hours, three hours, twenty-four hours if necessary. I would do it standing on my head with both hands tied behind my back, in my underwear on top of the Sears Tower singing Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Yet…as important as the task is, without those conditions of ransom, without the pain necessary to move me forward, it seemed difficult to drudge up the energy to do what needs to be done.

And I was able to see how that same principle applies to people who are sitting on the thumb tack of ill health.

Is that you?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….everyone knows exactly HOW to lose weight and gain health. Everyone got the memo that being overweight is deadly, that eating junk food is a causing harm, that exercising is good for the body and brain. Yet, so many things get in the way of making daily choices that invite health.

What excuses are getting in your way? Is the pain of disease and death not enough?

If  your children were kidnapped and held for ransom and the condition of release is that you choose the habits of health, would you do it? What changes would you make? Could you find 30 minutes a day to exercise? Another 30 minutes to pre-plan your menu and shop for fruits and vegetables?

What if I said that your current habits of disease were literally creating a hostage situation for your children. Would you believe me? Or, turn your head and pretend all is well? Would you argue that your bad habits of eating fast and processed food, of sitting on the couch, and drinking sugary drinks were not placing your children in a place of harm.

Children today are predicted to be the first in American history to not outlive their parents. Your habits are becoming their habits. But because their bad habits are beginning so young, their chances of dying early are greater.

Will you set them free? Set yourself free?

I don’t believe for a moment that 68% of Americans are on purpose choosing death. Just like the 4 year old that was whining inside of me yesterday, their inner 4 year old is saying “I’ll live forever”, “tomorrow I’ll follow the rules”, “eating this today won’t hurt me….or them.”

But it is.

I won’t apologize for being brutal and frank right now. I won’t apologize that I may be creating pain for you by writing these words. I only hope that the pain of reading this message is enough to create the shift that creates a different choice in your life.