Think About That Resolution

New Years is just around the corner and with it comes the usual commitments to improve in some way, shape, or form. If you're anything like me, you'll probably start out with a few reasonable goals and then decide that they're just not enough and end up adding more and more until you might as well consolidate them into one "Be Perfect" goal. At which point you'll feel depressed, anxious, and decide that it's hopeless and you might as well just quit while your ahead.

So yeah. How about let's not do that this year.

But more seriously, the reason I'm writing is because I have something to say about a goal that lots of people make: the weight loss goal. 

First off, know that I'm passionate about this sort of thing, and I HEAR you. I have dealt with my fair share of body complexes and, at least some level, understand that brutal cycle many get into where they commit to change, get going, mess up, feel awful, repeat. May I suggest something a little radical when it comes to weight loss?

Maybe it's not us that is the problem. Maybe we're not a bunch of lazy bums. Maybe the messages we've been told about how to lose weight: i.e. eat less, exercise more, is what's wrong. Maybe we've been bombarded with unrealistic expectations about what we should look like.

Am I crazy?

Now slow down, before you start freaking out on me let's discuss this logically.

How long have we been told that all our weight problems will go away if we eat less and exercise more? And how long has that actually worked LONG TERM? Because, yes, starving yourself DOES help you lose weight. But for 95.4% of us, it only works temporarily (also check out this link to learn more about that statistic). Because our bodies are smart, and beautifully designed. They don't like to be hungry. And if we make them survive on less fuel than is optimal they will make adjustments (i.e. lower our metabolism and raise our set point weight). For a while, yes it will work. But over the long term, it will be, at best, incredibly hard, but more likely impossible to maintain and your weight will slowly creep up. So unless your looking to be a fitness model or body builder (in which case focusing on calories, macronutrient ratios, and more is necessary), maybe you should focus on a method that allows you to make the necessary changes, and then MOVE ON AND NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WEIGHT PROBLEMS AGAIN.

America is simultaneously starving for nutrients while tipping the scales as one of the most overweight countries in the world. We are suffering from a myriad of chronic diseases that come as a result of our obesity. And yet we have a multi million dollar dieting industry that uses your hard earned money to tell you that if you just eat less (of their food!) and exercise more you'll (starve) yourself down to an ideal weight and magically be happy. BUT THIS HAS NOT WORKED. We are not all lazy slobs. The formula has been tried and found wanting.


Can I just suggest something? Before you commit to buying more magic "pills or potions" or whittle your calorie limit lower than it should be, can you do some serious research into what the actual scientific nutrition researchers are saying about weight loss. PLEASE??? No, not your friend. Not the usual "weight loss" company that's trying to get your money. Not the gym rat. Ask the people in universities who have dedicated their careers to studying the human body and how to NOURISH it to help it thrive. For a long time, their research has been buried in academic journals, only read by fellow researchers. But some incredible individuals, have decided to delve into the research and put it in layman terms.

And let me tell you, it's awesome. Yes we shouldn't be eating 10 bajillion calories, yes we should be active. But the research has shown that rather than concentrate on quantity, we ought to be concentrating on the quality of what we eat. As in, eat so much healthy, nutritious food that you're too full for the edible garbage that's advertised as food. And seriously watch your life change. Our bodies were not designed to be obese, and just like the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink matters for our health, the type of food we consume matters too. You cannot live happily on 1500 calories of junk.

There's so much I could say---Living a healthy lifestyle has been a huge interest and passion of mine for a long time and I'm not the type to jump on bandwagons without ample evidence.
 I'm telling you that this new school of thought revolving around "quality" not "quantity" is the real deal.

So before you commit to lose the same 20 pounds, AGAIN maybe look at your approach. It is possible to heal your body's metabolism and discover your healthiest self.

I began my journey of learning about this different approach by reading The Calorie Myth by Jonathon Bailor. Grab it on Amazon. After frustrating attempts to gain weight himself and help people lose weight as their personal trainer, Bailor spent 12 years delving into the research of fat loss. This book represents his findings and has been endorsed by UCLA Medical School, Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins, and many many MANY more brilliant researchers. For an introduction to his ideas listen to this podcast.

Before you think I'm crazy, give this guy's ideas a shot. The principles of SANEity work for any food belief system--vegan, vegetarian, etc. Just about any question you could have is answered in either the book or in one of the podcasts so if you're interested explore that. There's no catch, no scheme. Just information and a new way of looking at getting healthy.

Love to you all (especially those who got this far in the post). Remember that you were not meant to live a life revolving around dieting and brutal workouts. You have too many important things to accomplish in life to be worrying about and hating your body. So learn how to care for it optimally by nourishing it with LOTS of good food, and then move on to what you were born to do. Good luck in your resolutions.

Early Morning Joys

A while ago my sweet cousin sent me a link to the article "I really love my daughter, but I'm not supposed to talk about that". It's an insightful and thought provoking read that I really enjoyed. Though not nearly as talented in writing, I want to join her in questioning why it is that we parents seem compelled to accentuate the negative when talking about our children. Or rather, why are there not words to express the joys associated with parenthood?

Now trust me, I know parenthood isn't all warm fuzzies and chocolate chip cookies. There are brutally hard days, I promise I've had my fair share with plenty more on the horizon. I don't think we do anybody any favors when we refuse to acknowledge the difficulties, because that only makes those who are struggling feel alone. So if you are feeling burdened down by your great responsibilities as a parent, know that you're in good company.

But...there IS immense joy. And I want to broadcast that. I want everyone to know that motherhood and fatherhood, though full of sacrifice, brings a sweetness unique to itself. These moments are so fleeting, and easily missed if one chooses not to see them. Yet they are there, and when we focus on the good and seek to have a heart full of gratitude, we can grasp and relish in them.

Here is one I've experienced just today...I'm not sure how to put it in writing, but I'll try.

At 4am I awoke to the gentle crying of my baby. It wasn't a distressed cry, just a "hey Momma! I'm up and hungry" call for my attention. As I went to grab my little Jackson, upon seeing me, his face lit up into the happiest smile. He cooed and squealed, as if trying to tell me about the dreams he dreamt and the angels who visited him in the night. I scooped him up as he kicked around, excited to be getting his morning milk. While nursing him in the soft light of a dim lamp, I rubbed his almost bald little head while he gazed up at me. He kept dropping his latch because of the smiles he wanted to share. I felt perfectly peaceful and content. Tired? Of course. A little overwhelmed about all that needed to be done in the coming day? Yes. But as I snuggled my little one close I was overcome with gratitude for his love for me. Despite all that I do wrong as a mother, I HAVE gained his trust. He knows that when I enter the room, comfort and peace is on its way. He knows I will feed him, clothe him, play with him, smile at him, and love him. It is a beautiful and noble thing to be so purely loved by such a precious little baby.

No day is perfect. There are things that go wrong, chaos to wade through, and some sort of stressful situation to deal with. But if we keep putting our happiness on hold until everything is just right, then we'll never find it. The trick is to savor the good while it is happening.