(Originally presented at http://jeffpresents.com)
Weight Management: I know what you’re thinking…this blog has been about communication, education, and other various “higher level” concepts. What’s up with the weight thing? Well, in the spirit of immediacy and transparency, it’s important that I discuss this. And, in fairness, I have used several weight-based illustrations in my speaking over the years. In fact, I have also spoken for the sole purpose of weight management and healthy eathing, so it does tie to speaking. (Plus, it’s my blog…if you don’t care about weight, come back next week!)
So I’ve been overweight my whole life. It’s affected significant elements of who I am as a person – my self-esteem, my dress, my choices of everything from food to women…it’s systemic. But what’s weird to me is that I don’t fit the “mold” of a lot of overweight people. First off, I’m a big guy (I hear this ALL the time). I’m 6’5”, so I “carry weight well” – supposedly. As a result, a lot of people have no idea that I am overweight, even though the BMI suggests I’m actually obese. (Of course, they say that of Holyfield, the boxing champ is too.) As well, I don’t have a “trigger” to my eating. A lot of people eat when they’re happy or sad or scared or depressed…I eat during ALL of those occasions and many more. Do you know how you don’t eat when you’re sick? Not me. Just exercised? I’m starving. Ate an hour ago? I could go for a burrito… I just don’t fit the normal profile. And it’s been disconcerting to say the least.
Like I said, I’ve been heavy my whole life. When I was in 7th grade, the typing teacher at my school came in to see his buddy the gym coach. We were all doing those tests where they count sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, and rope climbing ability. I was trying to do one pull-up and I was struggling mightily. As the typing teacher walked into the gym teacher’s office, he glanced at me, snickered, and said, “Having a tough time tubby?” He and the gym teacher thought that was pretty amusing. (I must admit, there have been several occasions when I’ve thought of finding one or both of them and showing them how I grew up as well as out, but that’s a different blog.)So what have I done about it? Well…like most Americans I’ve tried just about everything. As a persuasion hound and a late-night tv junkie, I’ve gone for all of the info-mercial specials! Pills, machines, books, and the like have all come through my mailbox. I’ve gone to a fat-camp, I’ve tried every diet you’ve ever heard of, and I’ve even researched tape-worms bought over the Internet…yep, I’ve struggled with this for a long time.
So, what a crummy blog, right? Who wants to read a losing story? Well, I haven’t actually lost…yet. See, I’ve discovered some great things along the way. And, I’ve gone from 315lbs (about 10 years ago) to 245lbs today. My goal is to reach 235lbs sometime in the next month or so. But, what I’ve learned has actually transferred into many other aspects of life. See what you think.
1. People are individuals. The thing about the pills, books, and diets that I finally get is that they will NEVER work for everyone. And when you hear someone say they will, you’re about to get taken. For example, some diets say to eat a small snack before bed to keep your metabolism going. But that doesn’t work for me. In fact, I can’t eat after 7pm if I want to lose weight effectively. Is that true for anyone else? Probably. Is it true for everyone? That would be ridiculous. Your body handles certain things in specific ways. Why did I write this blog? Hmmm…partly because it’s cathartic. Partly because I wanted to help people see that there are things you can do to help yourself. You don’t have to be heavy – even when it seems like that’s all you’ve ever known. But most important for me is that I want the world to know that I’m doing my best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why is it important everyone know? Because I have a beautiful, life changing, wonderful little daughter now. And I will do everything in my power to be around to play with HER kids someday… (If you would like a speaker for your conference on eating, weight, health, or any other communication need, contact Jeff at jborden@jeffpresents.com)
2. Portion control is out of control in our country. It’s ludicrous to need a plate of food the size of a football, but every restaurant in America does just that. People always wonder how other countries eat such fattening foods and don’t gain weight…while there are actually several reasons (more every-day exercise, better-rounded meals, wine consumption, more sleep, etc.), one major reason is portion size. Do you realize that your stomach’s natural state is to be about the size of your fist? Do you realize how much more than that you cram into it every meal? You do the math…
3. Speaking of math, essentially it comes down to numbers. Want to lose weight? Drop 500 calories from your resting caloric number and you’ll lose a pound a week. That’s basically true (of course there are specific people that have ailments making this not true…and you could eat those numbers in chocolate & potato chips and that might throw things off…). But, in base numbers, try to eat no more than your resting caloric intake and you’ll be ok.
4. Our government is wrong. The ideas, health concerns, and numbers that our government puts out regarding food, health, and weight are silly. Any organization that gets money from food lobbyists shouldn’t put any stamp of approval on anything food related. If you want to learn some amazing, but disheartening stuff about food as it relates to health, go to a better source. Try a few researchers and experts on food, nutrition, and health. Here are a few to get you started: The China Study (www.thechinastudy.com), Eat To Live (www.drfuhrman.com), The Food Revolution (www.foodrevolution.org), Fast Food Nation (www.amazon.com), or even SuperSize Me (http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=98). These references will show you that food isn’t just related to obesity – specific foods are linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and on and on. (BTW – just quit doing anything that involves high-fructose corn syrup. You might as well ingest Clorox on a regular basis.)
5. You need support. I have had many relationships over the years and very few of them were healthy when it came to my being healthy. I’m truly blessed right now to be in a relationship where my wife and family support the decisions I need to make in order to be healthy. This includes how often I eat out, exercising, and snacking. Without support, the job is a lot harder than with it.
