I want more, more, more!

So much of the time, for so many of us chronic dieters, we are obsessed with less. We want to weigh less, we want to eat less, we want to feel less. Of course the exact opposite happens, we consume more, and we get more of the same.

Maybe we should be thinking more from the get go, maybe we should be thinking about what we can do more of to increase our health.

I think there are four corner stones that provide support for a foundation of good physical health;

1. Activity and exercise

2. Adequate rest

3. Proper nutrition

4. Staying hydrated

Where exactly in that short list does it say diet? These 4 things counter balance each other, work in tandem with each other. I know that on the rare occasion when I do get enough of one of them, I feel better, inside and out. So why don't I pursue them more often? Who knows. Maybe because I link all the good with getting  rid of the bad. I avoid the good, put it off until I am "ready". Maybe because I want what I tell myself I can't have in the future, and I give in too easily to get it now. It does not really matter why I do it though, only that I do it.

So... what if I was to do more, at least as a first step to getting back on track? What if I concentrated on building a few good, lasting habits before I consider getting rid of the nasty bad ones? Perhaps by not depriving myself of the opportunity for crap, it will be less appealing, and maybe, just maybe, by increasing more good habits I will leave less room and opportunity for the bad ones?

We shall see. The month of July I am concentrating on these 4 areas, and getting more...

• Exercise - At least 30 minutes, 4 days a week. Walking the dog no longer counts.
• Rest - At least 7 hours in 24. Any hope of getting them all in a row?
• Produce - At least 5 cups a day as recommended by the USDA.
• Water - At least 4 pints a day.

The idea here is to not think so much about being less, but instead about being more...more healthy. I know that if I want to have real weight-loss, I am probably going to have to monitor calories and cut back eventually, but if I can't take this baby step of adding more, what chance do I have of eating less?

I truly believe that this simple experiment will reveal the truth about my weight-loss intentions. Am I serious about improving my health, or am I just playing games, acting out something else repeatedly?

We'll all have the answer in a few short weeks.

Comments

[Krista]

Sounds like excellent ideas. I hope to try concentrating on more than less.

[Hilly]

I love this post - it is awesome that you can put such a positive spin on everything. Those things are all what I strive to attain. I am totally working on the exercise one as I have down now two weeks straight of great workouts. The rest I am doing well with so I should be nicer to myself, I think.

[Denise]

This is one of the wisest things I've ever read. I will be surprised if you don't feel better physically and mentally after giving this plan a fair shake for a few weeks.

[Michelle]

I think focusing on proper nutrition is far better than "dieting".

I hate to break it to ya, but your chance of getting seven hours of sleep in a row is slim. At least for the next six months to a year.

You burn more calories when are are pacing the floor with a crying infant, though!

Hope all is well.