The Fitness Commandments: Part 2
October 24, 2011, By Ed Scow 0 comments
Last month we went over my first 6 Fitness Commandments, and I hope I didn't offend anyone by comparing myself to Moses. I also hope I didn't disappoint anyone by only offering six rather than the promised 10. Here are the rest—five more, in fact, so like the classic band Spinal Tap, mine go to 11.
7. Thou shalt not chase shiny things.
The world of fitness is full of "shiny things." The latest fad diet isn't that different from the last bestseller and the latest fad workout program won't be around long.
It's not sexy, but you need to stick with sound and proven principles that work.
8. Thou shalt not have a punishment mentality.
Have you ever eaten too much on the weekend only to wind up kicking yourself and thinking, "I'll never do that again." Or maybe your thoughts fit more along the lines of "I have to do an extra 90 minutes of cardio today to work off that dessert from last night."
Stop it.
That line of thinking will not accomplish anything except leave you feeling guilty for enjoying life. It's okay to splurge as long as it's in moderation. However, if you have those thoughts on a regular basis, you need to step back and look at your life and figure out if you're truly committed to making positive changes. Chances are high that if you're having those thoughts week after week, you're not serious about making a change.
9. Thou shalt eat real food.
I find it sad that I have to include this commandment, but we have become a "processed society." We rely on processed foods and processed drinks and have become processed people.
You'd be amazed how much better you feel, how much more energy you have and how quickly weight comes off if you ate REAL food and got rid of the pseudo-foods.
10. Thou shalt set a good example for thine children.
Show your kids how important eating healthy is by eating healthy. Show them how important being active is by getting off your butt and moving. You can't tell your kids they need to stop playing video games and be active if all they see you doing is sitting on the couch all night watching television.
If you love your kids and don't want to see them struggle with unnecessary illness or weight issues, set a good example for them while they're young. You'll be amazed at the result. Kids learn by watching and copying you. If you don't value your health and fitness, neither will your kids. If you think a quality meal is fast food or something that comes out of a cardboard box, so will your kids.
However, if you set a quality example and your kids see you exercising and see you putting value in real food while keeping treats to a minimum, they will follow suit.
You are your kids' hero. Better to be more like Superman than the Blob, right?
11. Thou shalt relax.
As a society we tend to get ourselves wound up just a wee bit too tight. We stress too easily at the smallest things and that affects your health, lifestyle and weight. We all need to chill out a bit more, so you now have my permission to take a siesta.
There you have it—my "Moses style" commandments. Etch them on stone tablets or just put them on your refrigerator. Whatever it takes to keep them in your mind as you work to lead a healthier life.
