The truth is all human beings are wired to seek pleasure and flee from pain. This is how we are wired. None of us like pain. The only problem is that most of us end up creating pain for ourselves as we are trying to desperately escape it. For example, a person who is overweight wants to lose weight, but the process of exercising and eating right creates temporary pain. For some people that pain is too costly, so the person continues to stick with the temporary pleasure that overeating and sleeping in or laying on the couch brings. It is quite pleasurable to most to eat a piece of chocolate cake, or drink a soda, or whatever junk food fits that person’s fancy. This pleasure lasts a couple of minutes at the most. After that pleasure has worn off then comes the pain of being fat because of it. But, most people would rather feel that temporary pleasure over and over again than feel the long term pleasure that exercising and eating healthy brings. This is quite normal for human beings to behave this way. But it is only the elite few who are able to CHANGE their thinking and see pleasure and pain for what they really are. My mission is to change the above phrase into the MANY who are able to change their way of thinking. My dream would be for there to be more fit people than fat people in the U.S.
If you are reading this blog entry, know that I care about you. I may not even know you, but I really do care. I have such a desire and passion to give the gift of fitness to others, because I have found it for myself and it is the most pleasurable way to live. Words cannot describe what pleasure it brings. I know, because I have been on the other side. I have been unhealthy and miserable and I am NEVER going back to that daily pain. So, what I would ask you to do now is make two separate lists, depending on how you are choosing to live your life right now. Make the first one on the left side of the paper titled “The very short term pleasure I get from eating or drinking _____________.”You fill it in. On the right side of the paper title it, “The long term pleasure I would get from eating healthy.” If you are currently not exercising or only sporadically, then your next list should be titled, “The pleasure I get from not exercising.” On the other side of the paper it should be titled, “The pleasure I would get from exercising consistently and with a plan.” After you complete your list see which one is the longest list. I can tell you mine:
Pleasure I used to get from eating anything with sugar in it.
1. A temporary satisfaction to my food drug craving. The next craving usually came on a few hours later. I would usually crave dessert after both lunch and dinner.
2. A delicious taste that made me feel lots of happiness and satisfaction for as long as it took me to eat it and about five minutes after I was done eating it.
3. An emotional friend when I was feeling blue.
THAT’S ABOUT IT!
The pleasure I now get from eating healthy.
1. Lots and lots of energy. No lethargy unless I do not get enough sleep.
2. Better use of my brain. More clear thinking.
3. A lean body.
4. Get sick less often.
5. Cravings for healthy foods.
6. Fun being creative with healthy recipes and food choices.
7. A great example to my kids and giving them the gift of healthy foods.
8. No more junk food addictions.
9. Empowerment to not be a slave to junk food or drinks.
10. Freedom from short-term, harmful pleasure. Freedom to experience true pleasure that is long term.
I have never not exercised so I would not have this one on my list. But if I did I might write, “The pleasure I get form not exercising.”
1. Being able to sleep in.
2. Not having to feel any physical pain that exercise causes.
3. Not having to get out of breath.
4. Not having to sweat.
5. Not having to organize my time better.
Pleasure I DO get from exercising.
1. Enjoying the focus it brings.
2. Enjoying the natural high it brings.
3. Enjoying pushing my body further and harder.
4. Enjoying getting a stronger body.
5. Enjoying being lean and muscular.
6. Not having to be embarrassed to be out in public being overweight with rolls of fat.
7. Feeling confident in a swim suit or bikini.
8. Having lots of energy throughout the day.
9. Being able to keep up with my children.
10. Being able to share fitness with others and be confident about it.
Did not even have to think about those ten facts. I whipped them right out. I am sure I could list 20 more pleasure facts I get from exercising, but I think I have made my point. It took some thinking to name the pleasure I would get from not exercising.
You can also make reverse lists. You can make the lists titled, The pain you get from each one. This would also be a good idea. After making your lists and being honest about them, the next step is to change your view of pleasure and pain. Think long term rather than short term benefits. The next time you are tempted to eat a piece of junk ask yourself, “Is the few minutes of short term pleasure I am going to receive from eating this really worth the long term pain of feeling like crap after eating it?” If you give in once, then you will give in again and again and it will become a bad habit. The only way to break it is to change your thinking. The same goes for exercise. I have said this before, but I have never once regretted getting up at 5 a.m. to work out. Many days it has been incredibly hard getting up that early and get going with my workout, but I do it anyway. I workout if I am sick, if I have not had much sleep that night, if I am traveling, it does not matter. I work out and I stick to my schedule. I make a weekly workout schedule each Sunday evening. This keeps me organized and gives me something specific to follow. The rare occasions I have slept in and not gotten up to work out, I have always regretted. I don’t make excuses, and I have experienced it all. This past school year, I worked full-time teaching 5th grade, I was a part-time independent Beachbody coach, and I was a mom to my three young children, the youngest being only two years old. I could have made the excuse that I am too busy and have too many responsibilities, but that would only be an excuse. My exercising never takes time away from my children. That is why I do it early. Although, now that school is out I may sleep in at least until 5:45 a.m. That will be a nice relief!
Okay, make your lists and start changing your thinking today. Your reality is what you perceive. Make your reality one you can be proud of and feel great about!
