What is the difference between a journey and an adventure? To me, a journey sounds long, hard, grueling, and draining while an adventure sounds mysterious, exciting, fun and freeing. What if we took the view of an adventure as we move towards our weight and health goals? Is it possible to make the process fun? Or at least, not a dread? Is it possible to change the course of our health without feeling deprived? I think that a lot of weight loss and nutrition books attempt to combine a formula for success, bottle it up and sell “easy.”
The problem I see so often is that these messages rarely highlight the adventure. They identify the problem (a slow metabolism, processed foods, lack of strength training, hormone dysfunction, etc.) and then they sell the dream of ideal health, body image, and longevity. But what about the middle? What about the change in how we relate to ourselves and food? What if the most important part is in the middle?
What I have found to be true through nutrition practice and in my own life is learning to be content today while walking toward tomorrow. Learning to be satisfied when the scale isn’t changing, when the old pair of skinny jeans still don’t fit, and when struggling with self-confidence. Persevering through the valley– it is a lot harder than expected. But, that’s where most of life happens… in the valleys. That’s where mental muscle is formed and strengthened. The valley is what makes the mountain peaks worth the climb.
The brilliant motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, believes, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Achievement vs becoming.
Essentially, the lessons we learn along the way add tremendous value to our lives. They make us what we are and what we become. We are better people because we kept going, pressed on, and didn’t give up, NOT because we reached the goal. This sounds good in theory but can be a lot harder to grapple with. We just love results.
After years of working with patients and clients for weight loss/management, diabetes management and more, the idea of being patient through the process is not a popular one. People want to know what they can do now, today, to see change. Sure, they all claimed they wanted better quality of life, but the scale and measurements showed them how close they were to accomplishing a goal, and provided a timeline to predict future accomplishments.
There is nothing wrong with tracking progress and celebrating victories, on the scale or elsewhere, but what if we celebrated the treasures and lessons learned today? How can we look at today as a fun adventure and day worth remembering?
During my senior year in high school, there were several very bright students, all vying for the top 2 spots and the honor of speaking at our commencement ceremony. I was always a hard worker but I was quite aware that several students had higher SAT and ACT scores. If only I had a picture of my face the day I learned that I had earned the title Valedictorian. Stunned. Shocked. In disbelief.
As humbled and excited as I was to stand before my fellow classmates and faculty giving my speech, I am more proud of the long nights in my room studying for exams; the writing, editing, rewriting and revised papers I worked on for hours to find just the exact words; the times I stayed after class to get help from an instructor; the detailed notes I took, questions I asked and thoughts I pondered. Those moments strengthened my mental stamina. A lot of fun was mixed in with hard work. Those moments developed “perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:4-5)
That is one experience that has shaped who I am. How many times I have drawn upon the perseverance I developed during those long school days to accomplish a goal now as an adult. If I did it then, I can do it now, right?
How do we live today well while aspiring towards dreams with intention and perseverance? One tool I have used with patients and personally is developing positive goals. I define these as goals that focus on adding quality to life. In the health arena, people often create plans and goals that eliminate, remove, and disallow. Instead, consider what you will add to boost the quality of your life. Here are a few examples:
Instead of: Reduce or eliminate sugar sweetened beverages.
Positive goal: I will drink 64-100 ounces of water per day to hydrate, lubricate joints, and keep me from snacking when I am not hungry before I drink any other liquids.
Instead of: Reduce excess calories from eating lunch out.
Positive goal: Plan and prep weekday lunches at the beginning of the week so that I can eat nourishing foods that will keep me alert and energized when I am hungry.
Instead of: Stop eating processed foods.
Positive goal: I will chop fresh produce at the beginning of each week and have them available in the frig so that when I am hungry for a snack, I have healthy options.
By changing the tone and focus of the goal, you eliminate negative language that leaves us feeling deprived. It is not about what we can’t (or shouldn’t) do but what we can do and what makes us feel great about ourselves and our bodies.
Positive goals should make you feel empowered. You always have a choice. Choosing the behavior that makes you feel great adds momentum as you work towards your long term goals. It takes the arduous journey and turns it into a pleasing adventure. Everyone has to go through the middle to reach the results they want. Some adventures are fast pace and other a bit slow. I believe that all can be amazing experiences.
What do you want to become along your adventure? How can this goal make you great?