Job hunting is tough. It is mentally and emotionally draining. You're in competition against other potential new hires, doing your best to outshine the rest. In this fallen economy, it may take dozens of attempts before you manage to score your probationary status. Persistence is the driving force that takes you through one failed attempt and toward another. Refusing to give up or let go of the promise of the right job motivates you to keep looking, keep sending out your resume, keep attending Job Fairs.
It's this same persistence that can drive you toward reaching your wellness goals. When your desires switch from a wants-base to a needs-base, and your motivation switches from external to internal, you can draw on the power of persistence to reach your goals. Using the above example of job hunting; when you simply want a job, but have no need for a job, your attitude is quite different. You may be more layed back in how you look for a job, carefree in your attitude. The same holds true when you simply desire to lose a few pounds. You may visit the gym a few times, watch what you eat for a couple of days, but not really give a wholehearted attempt. However, if you are told by your doctor that you absolutely need to lose 30 pounds or else, how would you approach your weightloss efforts? Would you visit a dietician, join a gym or local wellness group? How would you feel if you started off eating right for a few weeks and slipped up once? Would you throw your hands up and give up, or would you get back in the game and start anew?
Many of us see weightloss as a want rather than a need. We want to fit into that dress for the wedding. We want to wear the size 12 slacks in our closet. We want our jeans to fit again. The point we have not reached yet is the need-based motivation. Heart disease, the leading cause of death, is preventable. 36.6% of Americans are overweight, and 26.5% are obese. More than half of all cancers is preventable. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” The Holy Spirit resides in you. You are God's temple. Make a commitment to offer only your best to the Lord.
When we learn to be truly motivated then we can really get moving! The secret is in our source. Are we looking to others to drive us, or are we looking to the one who created us to drive us? God gave us everything we need to succeed. He has already provided for our needs. When you have a need, acknowledge it and call on your source to meet and provide for that need. Then take action! If you fall, get back up! If you stumble, take a stand! For your God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory! Discover where your wants become needs, and watch God show up and show off!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Take a Vacation
Nobody likes a cheater. Cheaters, we are told, never win. Then why is it that we choose to use the phrase "to cheat" when addressing the occasional break in our healthy eating lifestyle? Cheating brings along with it feelings of guilt and shame, something less than enjoyable, to say the least. I'd rather go on vacation.
To take a vacation is to take a well-deserved break from the norm. When you're on vacation, you know you are indulging. You are allowing yourself the freedom to experience something outside of your routine. While on vacation, the rules are less structured; you take the good with the bad, and you're okay with it, because, hey, you're on vacation. You allow yourself this amount of freedom, knowing that this vacation will come to an end. No vacation lasts forever. Sooner than later, your daily routine will resume, and your vacation will become a joyous memory.
It is important to allow yourself the occasional indulgence while living on a clean, healthy eating plan. Otherwise, you may end up feeling deprived and sabotage your goals. Therefore, scheduling vacation days or vacation meals could be very beneficial. For example, if you are just starting out, you could schedule one vacation day each week, then gradually cut back to one vacation meal a week. If you have been living a healthy eating lifestyle for some time, perhaps you could schedule one vacation meal each month and fit others in around special occasions. Find what works best for you. Just remember, vacations are special events, they don't come around very often.
To take a vacation is to take a well-deserved break from the norm. When you're on vacation, you know you are indulging. You are allowing yourself the freedom to experience something outside of your routine. While on vacation, the rules are less structured; you take the good with the bad, and you're okay with it, because, hey, you're on vacation. You allow yourself this amount of freedom, knowing that this vacation will come to an end. No vacation lasts forever. Sooner than later, your daily routine will resume, and your vacation will become a joyous memory.
It is important to allow yourself the occasional indulgence while living on a clean, healthy eating plan. Otherwise, you may end up feeling deprived and sabotage your goals. Therefore, scheduling vacation days or vacation meals could be very beneficial. For example, if you are just starting out, you could schedule one vacation day each week, then gradually cut back to one vacation meal a week. If you have been living a healthy eating lifestyle for some time, perhaps you could schedule one vacation meal each month and fit others in around special occasions. Find what works best for you. Just remember, vacations are special events, they don't come around very often.
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