12.16.2009

And the Oscar goes to....

Hey all,
I don't know about you, but I have always had a fear of public speaking. Let alone trying to speak to a large group of people....if you look to my right...or right of you lol. You will see I have 99 followers....which is very flattering. Which to me counts as a 'rather large group of people'.
I was thinking on my way home of all those today show success stories. You know the ones...
The ones where they show HOW FAT the person was before, and HOW THIN they are now...Then they pull some moronic trick by showing the person's pounds lost in some sort of food itemy way.
Then they ask what I think is the world's dumbest question...
If you could give someone out there one piece of advice, what would it be?
As if weight loss can be summed up in a sound bite.
I guess for some it can.
Eat less...exercise more...
that is, if you ignore what got that person to that point in the first place.
If you never deal with the underlying issues.
If you think everything in life is as simple as we would all like it to be.
You see...If they got me up there..I probably wouldn't be able to shut up.

The first thing the person on the other end of that transmission would need to understand,
was that I UNDERSTAND...
THIS IS WHAT I WOULD SAY....
I know how you got where you are.
I know how trapped you feel. How ashamed. How hopeless.
How you cover it up by being happy all the time, accomodating, and settling for less because you feel that it is all you deserve.
I KNOW.
Here's what else I know.
You don't need one bit of advice FROM ME.
I am not special.
I am just someone who started seven months before you did.
Who am I?
I am you.
You know what you need to do....you just don't think you can.
Maybe you have tried and failed.
Tried and failed so much you think you have failure tattooed on your forehead.
Maybe you have people telling you daily: how much of a screw up you are...or they call names, or they just don't 'expect much'.

The only thing I can say with 100 percent certainty is YOU CAN.
You are the only inspiration you need.
You! watching this t.v. program (stay with me here....I am in imaginary t.v. land)
Put down that snack...
Now, from here on out...you put your shoes on when you USED to watch this stupid t.v. show.
You take a twenty minute walk.
Every day for thirty days.
Till exercise is a habit, a way of life...just something you do. It's who you are.
Then,
Limit your calories to whatever you can live with, and stay healthy.
Eat to live, instead of live to eat.
There are so many ways to do this I can't name them all.
Calorie counting, weight watchers...et al.
Then you do it, day in and day out.
Good days and bad.
Every day you stick to your plan is a victory.
Every time you slip and fall, then get back up...It's a victory.
Every time you bypass the opportunity to eat your frustration,
your sadness,
your fear,
your loneliness...
it's a VICTORY.

You see, yesterday is yesterday.
Tomorrow is defined by only one thing. You.
Every moment you create yourself anew with your intentions.
You aren't stuck unless you think you are.
All you have to do is let go.
Let go of yesterday and grab on to today. Today is all you have.
Every time you decide to treat yourself with respect, and expect the same from others.
Every time you decide you are worth it.
Every time you say...When you are mentally abusing yourself with that internal voice..
"You know what, I will feel bad about myself tomorrow....today I choose to be happy with me."
It is a victory.


Then one day, you will wake up and find that something quite extraordinary has happened.
Those people you used to watch with awe.
They...are you.
You have become the kind of person you admire.
You have become your own hero.
Then people will ask you....
Then you too, can come stand here and tell people what you did.
And wonder why people listen.
They don't listen because of you.
They listen because deep down,
They know they can do this too.

Hugs,
You slightly demented blogger,
Chris

20 comments:

Sheilagh said...

Oh Boy That was Good!!!

Thank you.

Sheilagh

Boozy Tooth said...

Now THAT is inspiring. And true. Every word. Every single word.

I understand too. I know too. And most important... anyone really can. They just have to believe it.

I love you.

Retta said...

This is sooo good Chris. May I make a suggestion??

During the first few weeks of January 2010, either re-post this a few times, or make mention of it every time with a live link!!

You KNOW there will be tons of desperate people who have let go for the holidays, and then will be "ready" to make a fresh start. Perhaps a few of them will really hear the truth of what you said here, and not only eat less and move more, but make it permanent by facing their issues.

I'm sure your post will inspire them, but only if they find it. :-)
Loretta
=^..^=

Fat[free]Me said...

Brilliant post and I agree with Loretta, this is something that many will benefit from reading after the holidays!

South Beach Steve said...

I wasn't thinking demented, but rather, inspirational. Great post!

Sevenbeads said...

The statement that jumped out at me:

Become the person you admire.

Great post.

jo said...

Amen.

You need to write a book.

Foodie Girl said...

Are you sure you aren't a public speaker? That was great! I just posted about how nervous I was today about weighing in. I guess I should be happy and stay strong because I have chosen to weigh in, regardless of what the scale may say. And I will move on...

Thank you for your inspiration and continued support. It really means so much!

Kate Sermon said...

A great post and a great blog - I've just discovered you and am following you......now!

Melissa said...

That was great!! Now we need to get you on a TV show. How about The Doctors? That one guy is HOTT!

Unknown said...

That was great!

Salina Lyn said...

WooooHooooo! I think I love you. :)

Amber said...

Awsome post Chris!
I agree, post this every month or so. I think it could "hit" someone new each time.
Amber

Tricia said...

Wonderful, simply wonderful!

Christine Jeske said...

::loud applause::

I wish I could say it that well! I think next time someone asks me for advice I will link them to this post.

Linda Pressman said...

Bravo, Chris, who said you weren't a public speaker? You are absolutely right - you are the person who started seven months before the person reading this who feels hopeless. And the best thing of all - you are reaching to lend a hand to those who need it.

Hanlie said...

Well said! We always have to remember that it's not easier for some people... We ALL have to overcome our limiting beliefs and be faithful every day. It's hard, but it can be done.

Deb said...

Love it!

karen@fitnessjourney said...

Great post. If you are ever asked on the Today show to do that segment-request that Kathie Lee Gifford not be part of it-she always steals the guests thunder. LOL!

bbubblyb said...

Great Post!!!