Weight-loss
Today, the gym I am a member of and have also coached at posted a blog post I wrote to tell my story. We all have our own experiences in life, and if we think they are important enough, we will share them to guide or motivate others. Sometimes, it can be seen, dare I say it, as selfish. People sometimes ask, “Why does she feel like she needs to share HER story?” Or, “What makes him so important?”
I will say that over the years, reading others’ testimonies has helped me to change. The problem is that we often never consider how we are different. Our lives, genetics, hormones, health histories, or previous athletic training vary; no two journeys are the same. What works for me may lead you to down the wrong path. But taking this into consideration, anyone willing to share their struggles and successes can help motivate us to take control of our health. The only way to master ourselves is to set goals. My goals differ from someone else’s, and I guarantee that if I told you that you needed to be like me, you would walk away and call me crazy. Not one person wants to be told that they need to change; they have to want it and take an active role in deciding WHO that should be. The ego is a defense mechanism that many people never master. You can use it to your benefit, but also place you into destructive situations. However, with grace, the right coaches, friends, and family members can help guide you if you are open to it.
What do I mean by “with grace”? Grace is the ability to express your feelings or thoughts that are true but not offensive. This is when you tell a person how you feel about them, intending to teach or show them an opportunity to improve. In other words, you are honest and don’t tell people what they want to hear so they can decide to continue or change whatever you call them out on. To top it all off, you can also compliment them. It goes hand-in-hand with being tactful. I may have gotten a bit off-track with this part, but the ability to do this is imperative when health is concerned. Oftentimes patients, family members, or friends do not want to be told what they’ve been doing wrong that has led them to being ill, overweight, or deconditioned. It all goes back to ego. Weight loss is far more about emotion than calories in vs. calories out. The story I wrote showed precisely this, and in the future, I feel I will connect with my patients to lead them to better health.
