Screw the Apple!

Goal Time

My goal has been set: Lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday! Too aggressive? Not when you break it down like this: I have 211 days (considering I'm starting at my last weigh-in on Monday) to lose 40 pounds. That's 30 weeks. That's roughly 1.25 pounds per week.Now is THAT too aggressive? Nope... Very reasonable.

The Serpent & the Apple

You know the story of Adam & Eve and the serpent (Genesis 3) and how she ate the apple. Temptation was too great for Eve to overcome and she succumbed to the Serpent (read: Devil) and his pull, appeal, enticement ... Whatever you call it. Eve at the damn apple and that's why women have painful childbirth & men have to work hard. Blah-blah-blah-blah. Childbirth is painful - well, labor is for sure but my kids were both born via c-section. That's one nasty wrath bestowed upon us. All for a lousy apple. I hope it tasted good, Eve!

What seems like a digression is not that - not at all. The other message that I get from this Bible passage is about our free will - the human ability to choose freely what to do.

Choices

We make choices everyday: Snooze or get up? Black pants or brown? Eggs or cereal? But we have this ability to decide for ourselves everything. Now, some would argue that's not the case - and my kids definitely would argue that! But, we have an innate ability that sets us apart as humans to CHOOSE what we eat, wear, drink, say, do... Everything.

So, when we CHOOSE to set a GOAL, why do we become our worst enemies? What's up with self-sabotage?

There's some people out there who are trying to lose weight / adapt to a healthier lifestyle. YEAH FOR YOU!! And, many of these people don't know where to start. They aren't educated or aware of how to make a healthy choice when it comes to what fuels our body. They get someone to help or read a book, pick up a cookbook.  What about those of us (yes, "us" - this is me) who know what we need to do. I mean seriously... I can coach just about anyone to lose weight & get fit. Then, why am I so fat!?!?!?

Choices... Temptation... Apple... Chocolate - Potato Chips - Bread - Cake ... WAIT?!?!? STOP!

It's about resisting the temptation or the urge to deviate from your plan. It's about that immediate satisfaction you feel when you have that first smell or taste of chocolate (or salty snacks - whatever floats your boat). It's about not being able to say "STOP!" when you know you shouldn't. Ever binge eat? Binge drink? It's that loss of control you have.

I have a long journey to take to get to my ultimate goal. I realize that I need help. I know what to eat. I know when to eat. I know how to workout/exercise (although I do have some issues from previous injuries - besides the point). I know - I know - I know. (Knowledge & Skills) I want to do this - for me but also for my family. (Desire) But I don't do because I don't know how to form good habits which will last a lifetime. That's what I'm missing. And, that's what I'm seeking. I have a call scheduled with a Coach this weekend; I'll let you know how that goes - she's a Paleo Cross-fitter Biochemist guru so Lord help me now!! But, she focuses on forming habits - just what I need. So, I'll report back as to whether I decide to go forward with her.

I mean really ... what do I have to lose?