Christian Weight Loss - Serenity Now!by Daniel Wychor
I like to watch interviews of top athletes after big games. While it's easy to tell by watching the fans' reaction who won, you often times can't tell by looking at the athletes. Fans often criticize the players, saying they need to show more emotion; not realizing just the opposite is true. The athletes know they need to stay calm and on an even keel if they are to be successful in the long run. Those that let their emotions get the best of them most often do not achieve the top level of success long term.
Staying calm allows you to stay focused on the task at hand and gives you a much better chance at success.
You'll often hear people refer to being in "a zone" when they accomplish something great. When you ask them about details you'll find they were in a calm relaxed state while they did the task.
Let's do a quick exercise. Think back in your past to accomplishments you are proud of. Now think about the emotional state you were in while you were accomplishing the task. Were your emotions under control? Was all of your energy focused on the task at hand or were you distracted by other things?
When I think back on my life those moments always involved me being in a calm focused state. I need to state that it is possible to be in an intense state of mind and calm at the same time. Intensity and calmness are not mutually exclusive; in fact it is the combination of the two that causes people to do great things.
So how does this apply to weight loss? To succeed long term at weight loss you must stay in a calm, focused state. How many people do you know that every January make a resolution to lose weight. They are all excited, they start out with great intensity but they are not in a calm state. They may last anywhere from a few days to a month or two on whatever they are doing. As soon as their weight loss slows or they get distracted by something, they get depressed and give up. They then fall back into their old destructive eating habits. Do you know anyone like this, maybe someone you see in the mirror each day?
So how can you get into a calm state and stay there? First you have to realize you are not living a fairy tale, life happens. Like a sailboat going across a lake that has to adjust the rudder and sails due to currents and wind, to get where they want to go, you have to do the same in life. Keep the goal in mind, realizing that there will be obstacles along the way. Second, when those obstacles appear do not let them get you out of your calm, focused state. Call in for reinforcements and I don't mean comfort foods that ruin your diet (I can't stand that term, more on that in another article).
Call on God. How many times have you heard in church or read in your Bible to cast the burden? How many times have you heard to let go and let God? When other things in life happen, don't let them be an excuse to ruin your weight loss plans. Get in the habit of when stuff happens calling on God and asking him to take the burden. You may still have to deal with the problem but with God in your corner you are more likely to retain your calm state. You can add strength to your prayer by actually visualizing handing the problem off to God and letting him carry it for you. To get yourself into the habit of doing this, start with little problems so when the bigger problems pop into your life you'll automatically do this.
This will allow you to separate your task of losing weight from everything else going on in your life and give you a much better chance at success.
Cast the burden and give yourself a chance to stay in a calm focused state, and remember to keep smiling, because stuff happens.
God Bless.
S. – E. – L. – F. by Dr. Kathleen Hall
Question 1: "Is it really possible to experience balance in my busy, chaotic life with a husband, children and a career?"
Answer: Yes you can.
Balance is about becoming whole. About choosing to live a life in wholeness, not in pieces that look like a puzzle in a box. To achieve balance, begin by listing your sources of happiness and love and then list them by priority. How often during the day are you visiting these sources for love and support?
Your next step is to learn to practice self care. You must learn to take care of your mind and body because it is the vehicle in which you experience this amazing life.
Your children mirror your behavior. If you live as a victim or martyr, and create no time for yourself, your children will develop your negating behavior. Set the example of practicing self care for yourself and those you love.
Learn the four roots of balance and happiness in this simple acronym, S.E.L.F. care. This is an easy to remember acronym that I created to help us remember your four roots of happiness, health and balance.
S is for Serenity, It is the opposite of stress. When you achieve serenity, your body experiences the relaxation response affirmed by many research studies.
Meditation decreases your heart rate, boosts your immune system as well as reducing depression, anxiety, and response to pain. In addition to meditation, music and laughter are healthy practices, and are well known to relieve stress. Find your own sources of calm and use them regularly. Serenity practices help preserve the mind, body and soul.
E is for Exercise. Our bodies and minds were created for motion. People who exercise three times a week reduce their risk of Alzheimer's and dementia by a third. Regular walking 20 minutes a day reduces your risk of death from all diseases by a third. Put your treadmill in front of your television and watch the morning or evening news, or your favorite program while you walk for 20 minutes. Get your family moving. Have daily walks after dinner; you might even consider putting up a badminton net or basketball hoop!
L is for Love. We are designed to live in community with others. We know that people who have strong relationships with others have better health outcomes. So spend more time with those you love and get in a group that meets often. Be creative - join a book club, card group, or combine two important elements of a healthy lifestyle and become a part of a walking group. Discovering new ways to share your life with others preserves your mind, body and soul.
F is for Food. Food is medicine and food changes your mood. We are getting new research of the effect of food on your health every day. Fish oil, which contains Omega 3, helps with numerous diseases. Plan to eat fish three times a week or take capsules. Blueberries are called "brain berries" or "youth food." Blueberries help neuron reproduction and neural communication. Blueberries are great for mental health and anti-aging and have been proven to be effective in disease prevention. Nourishing your body with the blessing of healthy life-giving food preserves your mind, body and spirit.
Preservation of our health and well being is essential to living a long, productive balanced life. Discover how to live a life of mental, physical and spiritual health by simply remembering your four roots of S.E.L.F. care every day of your life - then you will achieve your much deserved balance.
PHOTOS: zentastic.com, serenityfootandanklecenter.com
I like your acronym for SELF :) (especially the L)
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