I have always had this all or nothing mentality. Perhaps that stems from being a perfectionist, which most always leads to procrastination. If I can't do it perfectly right the first time, I do not want to do it at all. Although I know what is perfect and what is right is anyones guess, I still struggle with it, a lingering after effect of an alcoholic family.
This kind of approach to life, let alone health, can be devastating. It is an attitude that refuses to acknowledge that life is full of bumps, unfair, and that the only thing to do is keep moving forward. Waiting only begets waiting, and eventual deterioration.
I say all this because most of the time when I am trying to lose weight, and fall from grace because of a forbidden food or binge of some sort, I give up on exercise too. If I was to keep it up regardless of what happens in the food department, exercise would probably take care of my weight problems anyway. I am 50 pounds over weight because I eat an extra 500 calories a day, something that could easily be compensated for with added activity.
The worst of the whole thing is, I actually enjoy exercise, I enjoy walking and running and lifting weights. I enjoy pushing myself a bit further each day. Unlike a lot of people who struggle with weight-loss, exercise and activity has always been my strength. When I "go off" a typical diet I throw the whole thing out, and figure..why bother? I know I am not alone with this kind of thinking.
The first chapter of Steven Pratt's book, SuperFoods HealthStyle, does not deal with food at all, it deals with, what he says, is the single most important thing you can do for yourself and your health...exercise. He makes a thoroughly compelling case as to why this is the most important thing you can do, and why you should keep doing it as long as you are breathing air. I am a believer now. Where I once used to think of "diet and exercise" as one word, inseparable, I now know that they are two words, two habits, one can be achieved and practiced with out the other. Together they are two pretty damn good things for you when done positively, but separate, they are pretty damn good as well.
If you take one thing away from this post, or FatBlogger in general, let it be this; Diet and Exercise are not one activity, they are two, and they can be done separately.
Tomorrow, time allowing, I plan on posting more about exercise and its benefits to your health.
I joined a gym today. I am with you all the way on this one...
Posted by: Dana | January 17, 2006 at 19:58
Yep, when I go off on one of my binges, I'd just throw everything to the winds...I figured in for a penny, in for a pound.
Congrats on your nomination!!! You deserve it, and if it's not too late, I'm off to vote.
Posted by: Faith | January 13, 2006 at 19:22
I am a huge believer in exercise. Get rid of the word DIET from your vocabulary; it has too many negative connotations for you.(and everyone)
Posted by: Margaret | January 13, 2006 at 18:29