Have you ever wondered why it is that some people can get in shape and stay in shape — while others can’t seem to hold on to a healthy lifestyle even though they want it badly?
I believe I found the answer:
The meeting room at the Veterans Affairs clinic was jam-packed with eager listeners. A nutritionist from New York was there to teach a special class — part of the MOVE! Weight Management Program.
The attendees were certifiably obese. That was the ticket to the event. Each had been recommended for the 12-week series of presentations by their physicians.
For some, it was a desperate attempt to qualify for knee surgery or to remain eligible for some other procedure or medication.
Others were concerned about quality of life.
All had tried and failed before.
The nutritionist told the truth
The nutritionist stressed that a good diet didn’t have to be a tasteless or severely restricted diet.
She taught the basics of metabolism and covered how to read a nutrition facts label correctly to get at the real data on what you’re eating.
She hammered down on the idea that the most important part of reading food labels is to determine exactly how much of the can or package makes up each “serving.”
That was all to be expected, of course. It’s a nutritionist’s job to help people understand what they’re eating and how it might affect their health.
She hit this particular group heavy with why ones diet is so critical to fitness and how one could easily configure an eating plan to get the weight off.
That’s when the amazing thing happened.
The overweight veterans already knew the answers
The final 30 minutes was given over to group discussion.
The nutritionist began by quizzing the vets on the material she’d just covered.
I was flabbergasted by what happened next:
They already knew it all.
Many of those in attendance could’ve taught the class. Some were obviously pleased with themselves and their ability to not just answer simple questions, but go deeper into nutritional facts.
There’s nothing quite like watching and listening to an obese person lecturing on nutrition.
That’s when the lights came on:
The attendees weren’t obese because they didn’t know what to do.
And they weren’t obese because they were “born that way” (all had qualified for military service).
The room was populated by overweight people who already had all the answers. They weren’t lacking in knowledge.
Not at all.
Here’s why they couldn’t lose weight no matter how severe the need
You know the answer as well as I do.
It’s like the gorilla in the room that everyone sees but nobody mentions.
It’s like the emperor’s new clothes.
Knowing what to do doesn’t help unless it’s followed by doing what you know.
Action is the key to results.
Knowledge is worthless until it’s put into practice.
In a way, knowledge without action is even worse than not knowing at all.
Ignorance is bliss.
Knowing you shouldn’t take in thousands of additional calories today … while you’re gorging on the whole pie … that’s miserable.
Knowing you should get out of bed and go to the gym, then waking up to realize you have to scramble just to get to work on time … that’s maddening.
Here’s the secret to fitness:
Do what you know you should do.
Yes, we must all start where we are and we can only play the cards we’ve been dealt … but “Nobody is perfect” is a lame excuse for inaction.
If you want it, go for it.
If you don’t, stop whining.
End of story.
NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the writer. If you’re offended by the message, don’t blame The Redwood Club. The gym is there to help you when you’re ready. But you have to be ready. Nobody can make that happen but YOU.