Can Optimism Make You Fat?
Spotlight on Success – Scott Dropped 10 pounds of Body Fat in 2 Weeks!
I would like to acknowledge my newest on-line client, Scott C. in CT, for kicking butt and taking names. He’s dropped a full 2.5 inches off his waist (10lbs of body-fat) in the first 2 weeks alone.
For everyone reading who is thinking, “Easy for him! He probably has all of the time in the world to exercise. I could never do that!”
Scott spends a grand total of 3hrs and 15min (including flexibility/mobility work) exercising per week – less than 2% of the time available in a week. Oh, and he works VERY long hours. He simply has a great plan AND (more importantly) does not indulge in BS excuses about why he can’t follow it.
Quote #24
“I don’t get to eat fattening foods because I’m lean, I’m lean because I don’t eat fattening foods.” – Chris Shugart
Recipe #24 – Hot & Cheesy Mexican Wrap
If you’ve got 5min and access to a microwave then you can make a really, really yummy meal that won’t contribute to a pot-belly or thunder thighs. Click here.
Can Optimism Make You Fat?
Most people fail over and over and over and over again in creating the bodies they want precisely because they are TOO optimistic. Let me explain.
This is what I call “The Fat Optimist’s Pattern”
Step 1. Get upset, decide to change, and actually begin the process:
You actually get started on your plan. You are excited. You feel good about yourself. You are seeing results. Life is good. You feel great.
Step 2. Reality strikes:
Going from fat to lean and staying there is actually very difficult. To change your body on the outside, you MUST become a brand new person on the inside. You really do have to rearrange your entire life – going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, thinking about what you eat, regular exercise, not getting drunk, etc. It’s very obvious why people would rather take a pill, go on a diet, or do nothing at all instead of making real change.
(Author’s note: Many of you are probably somewhat depressed and/or overwhelmed by that paragraph. It’s really not bad at all – workouts can be very time efficient and even fun, food can and should taste great, and thinking about what you eat will probably save you time, money, and LOTS of stress.
Also, what’s the alternative? Being fat, lacking energy, and taking drugs for numerous preventable health problems. Everything costs.
Doing whatever you feel like in the moment will cost you your health and physique in the long run. The rewards now are only a little bit of pleasure now, but a whole LOT of pain over time.
With discipline in the moment you pay the price up front, BUT you reap tremendous rewards over the long haul:
*looking great naked (that feels good all day, every day, not just for the 5min it takes to wolf down your McDonald’s),
*having lots of energy
*ABOVE ALL the feeling of pride that comes with being the kind of person who keeps their commitments and lives by something beyond just capricious feelings.)
Step 3. Optimism rears its ugly head:
“Oh well, one cookie won’t hurt. I’ll make up for it later.” Becomes…
“Skipping one workout won’t hurt. I’ll still arrive at my goal. Besides I’m really busy this week.” Becomes…
“I’ll get back on track next week, I’ve just got too much going on this week. I know that I’ll get it back together and look hot at the beach.” Becomes…
“Oh no! I’m going to the beach next week and I still look the same – giggly cellulite [or man-boobs, take your pick]. Where can I get a cover-up at? Oh well, I’ll do better next year. I tried really hard this year. I did my best… Maybe I don’t look that bad.”
Step 4. Repeat a.k.a. The myth of Sisyphus:
You roll the rock part of the way up the hill, and let go as soon as it becomes difficult – as soon as it means making a real and substantive change to who you are and how you live. But you tell yourself, optimistically, “I’ll push that rock again. Next time I’ll push it all the way to the top of the hill. Next time…” [Of course you are saying that while you are stuffing your face with cake.
The Thoughts of a Lean Pessimist
“I was fat last year. I’m fat right now, and I’m gonna be fat next year. I hate the way I look naked. I am doing a disservice to my girlfriend/wife/husband – they do not deserve to be stuck with someone who would allow their body to be so soft. Not only do I look like crap, but I am also slowly but surely destroying my health.
“All this BS about how I’m making progress, doing better, etc is just a pack of lies that I tell myself to numb myself from reality. Looking at myself in the mirror and saying ‘I don’t look that bad’ is just a way to escape reality and to keep myself from taking any real action towards what I really want.
“If I don’t stop living in fantasy land and start being honest with myself NOW, then I will continue being fat. If I don’t get up off my ass right NOW and take action NOW, then I will continue being a fat-ass optimist for the rest of my life.”
There Is No Such Thing As A “Next” Time
You can NOT and will NOT get it right next time. When next time finally arrives you will experience it as this time and do exactly the same thing that you did before. Do it right THIS time. Put in the effort to do it right NOW because this is the ONLY opportunity you will ever actually get.