Saturday, January 30, 2010

Lion-Hearted

Welcome to "Same Old Sh*t" Saturday, where I serve up leftovers and you'll shut up and eat them if you know what's good for you (sorry, I was channeling my mom Shirley there for a minute). It seems like I often write these types of posts directed at you, but they're really directed more at me. Some days I really need 'em...

It’s a myth, you know, that overweight people suffer from low self-esteem more than the rest of the population. In fact, psychological tests given to overweight folks have proven that obese individuals are, on balance, just as mentally healthy (or unhealthy) as anyone else. There’s no support for the idea that overeating is generally associated with poor mental or emotional health. Quite the opposite, actually; many slim people who were interviewed said they wouldn’t have the courage to go out if they were obese. They’d simply stay at home and hide their fat faces.

Think about it: you get up every morning, get out of bed and face the world head-on. You accept strangers’ stares, children’s cruel comments and friends’ “helpful” advice, all with a wane smile and gentle good grace. You’ve recognized the inner demons that have put you in the state you’re in, and you’re going about doing something about it. You’re getting your life in check, as well as providing emotional support for others who are also getting their lives in check.

Here’s my point: you’re not weak.

Here’s my second point (and this may sting a little): you’ve got to get stronger.

You’ve got to get stronger because this is a long, uphill climb, and it will take its toll on you, both mentally and physically. You’ve got to get stronger because time is not on your side, and Life will jump up and throw hurdle after hurdle after hurdle in your path. You’ve got to get stronger because me and everyone else that follows your story aren’t going to be satisfied until you reach your goals.

We’ve all got our own ways of fighting this fight, our own methods to this madness. You may cut carbs, she may count calories, he may swim 50 laps a day, I may simply try to eat smarter and exercise more. There’s no one way–no right way–to get there from here.

But ask yourself this: Am I really doing all I can to succeed?

If you can honestly say “yes,” then God bless you, but I suspect that you’re in the minority if that’s truly the case. I know this is going to sound… well, funny… coming from a guy named Jack Sh*t who spends half his day telling fart jokes and making kooky lists, but you’ve got to get serious about this if you want to find the success you claim you want. You need to shift it into high gear, and start getting it done, and I mean like, today. You can half-ass it for as long as you want, but the real results aren’t going to happen for you until you knuckle down. Until you get serious.

There is a lion in my heart, and he’s roaring at the fat that I’ve saddled myself with by being stupid and lazy. Roaring at the complacency that allowed me to put my own health and future in jeopardy. He’s roaring at me every day, filling my spirit with grit and reminding me that this is my day, this is my time. He’s pushing me to run wild and pounce on this chance, this opportunity to reclaim my life.

This journey is not for the weak or the meek; it is for the strong-willed and the lion-hearted.

It’s time for you to roar.



26 comments:

  1. I hear ya Jack. I am putting my sneaks on right now and going to the gym for some of that Angry Elliptical. Thanks for the kick in the a$$ I needed this morning!

    Cheers,
    Missa
    LosingEthel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sir Yessir! :) Right at this moment I don't need a boot up the rear end - cos I am still in the wafting along in the breeze wondering why I made such a fuss about doing this - again! But will you make this a regular post - - at regular intervals regularly, just to keep those of us that think its all going to well, on our metal -

    Ta Muchly!

    BR.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great Post!!

    Oh, I thought of another Elvis title:

    "In The Buffet"

    Original comment, I need to learn how to spell :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for the ass kicking I so dearly needed this morning! God bless you Jack! You tell it like it is and take no prisoners!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Jack - we all need a kick in the a** once in awhile. The true question/answer for me is Am I doing everything I can - no but I need to also be kind to myself and not beat myself up if I am not doing everything. Sometimes, just sometimes, I need to let the roar be soft and do at least something everyday until I get to the point where everything I do supports what I want. JUST my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  6. great post, Jack, thanks for the reminder. I'm going from a pitiful meow to a ROAR here!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Self esteem. Good point. As I just drove my son to catch his 6:30 am bus for a swim event your post swirled around in my head. Do I have more self esteem now than I did 72 pounds ago? I guess not...really. I have more body confidence. I feel way better. I know ther people do not look at me with pity any more (unless all 4 of my kids are with me..lol) But, I would have to agree that my basic self esteem has not been dramatically altered--it was there all along. I had it at 253, and I have it now.

    And...had enough of it to, indeed, run around with 90+ pounds too many on my body...sort of daring people to question it or make it an issue. Being fat DOES take some courage! But...what was I trying to prove by making myself so overweight and unhealthy? Was my fat an "act of defiance"? In some ways, it was. I KNOW it ticked my Mom off....when I was fat. Which was sort of fun. (hey, long history there). But...this recent journey has been 100% about me....not my Mom or anyone else..but me. I wanted to figure out how to be the best and healthiest me. And..yes, that translates to being a better mother, wife, daughter, friend....but the #1 person I am doing this for is me. And, damn, it feels good! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Saturday Jack Shit. Good reminder that you have to hold yourself accountable and that it can be easy to trick yourself, if you look the other way.

    About to go get in a big run and make sure I'm staying on track.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Repeat or not, this is an excellent post! I agree that it takes serious effort to lose a lot of weight and get your self healthy for the long-term.

    (And because you mentioned a lion and roaring, I just have to share this that my 7 year old daughter created when she was 4 years old: http://www.cafepress.co.uk/fyfephotography.158337793 )

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is my opinion that the basic personality does not change with weight loss. I think that though I am more comfortable at lower weight and enjoy wearing smaller sizes and have the health benefits, I still basically me. Thanks because I still need to be stronger and need a kick in the pants to keep going even after most of the weight is gone.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to know. When my inner lion(ess) comes out. What happens when (s)he gets burned? I'm sure I'll GET there. I want to stay there. Longer than three years this time.

    That is all.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jack, thank you.

    I hate to admit this, but you're right.

    I need to get my ass in gear and punch things up a bit. I have waited too long, jeopardized my health, and time is NOT on my side.

    Time get get stronger and healthier. Time to put on a brave face and fight the good fight.

    I'm in this to win this!

    Thanks for the swift kick in the ass!

    Julia
    http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is a keeper. This should be required reading every morning for people who are losing lots of weight. Or at least for me.

    And I'm so glad you have reruns on Saturday, since I [am too lazy/don't have time] to read archives.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jack,
    I know that you're a fine, good man who has worked hard to lose weight and get fit. I commend you for all that you've done.
    But I do take exception to the underlying message of this post. I believe that despite your introduction where you say that your readers are "not weak", you go on to imply that many people are not giving weight loss their all and that they are "half ass".

    You're a great, kind and certainly well-meaning person, but I just can't go along with the "Biggest Loser" attitude towards weight loss. Weight loss is just way to complicated to think that by being lion-hearted every day, we can all succeed. You have lost weight and congratulations to you. Your readers love you to bits and you set a great role model for many people but I can't help thinking that there are also a bunch of people out there who are trying their best but who are kicking themselves into total inaction because they can't live up to your standards.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is a great post. Much needed! It's like you read minds!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LIKE the way you put that Jack. "All a person is capable of" is so individualized that its fits everyone. It doesn't mean perfect food and calorie choices and 4 hours of grueling exercise a day. I think it means doing as much as you can as often as you can with every choice and every situation. We are all human and trying our hardest doesn't need to be perfection, but rather consistent unwavering resolve.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This post really inspired me today. I needed this.

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great words of encouragement!GRRRRR!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great re-post. It's time to get stronger and stay strong.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Best weight loss advice I've heard in a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I thought about all the bosses I ever worked for, and the nicest ones were not that skinny!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I amaze myself sometimes, like today, with how strong I am! Great post. I channel my mom, Shirley as well, often- she is very wise. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. It's time to get stronger and fitter! Loved the post Jack.

    ReplyDelete
  24. this is just amazing... Jack Sh*t strikes again! Great to read motivational, honest writing. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails