There’s something incredibly humbling about being slapped down by illness. You think you’ve got your life in control, and then life shows you that you have nothing of the sort.
The positive thing about my recent bout with viral ugliness is that I came out of it with renewed clarity. You can never take your health for granted while you have it, because it can be taken away just like that.
On the other hand, it’s the easiest thing in the world to be abjectly unhealthy, illness or not. The slide to junk food, excess alcohol, and idle binge watching is a lot slicker than the uphill journey to fitness, weight loss, and nutrition.
But without taking the road less travelled, more than your health suffers. As we know, you’ve got to start with your health before you can grow in other ways.
So maybe that’s why the collection of self-improvement stories recently featured in the New York Times resonated with me. The piece is called If These Guys Were Able to Fix Their Lives, You Can, Too (and yes, they’re all guys — it’s from the Men’s Style section of the paper. Sorry ladies).
All of the stories seem to begin with someone who is overweight, drinking too much, and generally going nowhere. And then thanks to some catalyst, they each decided to do something about it.
In almost every case, the men achieved similar results:
- Significant weight loss
- Higher energy
- Better focus
- Enhanced productivity
- Improved relationships
- Renewed sense of purpose
- Focused on helping others
All it takes is a decision to do the work and be happy, instead of taking the easy way to being miserable. It may be easier to be miserable, but does that make it a smart thing to do?
This is your life. Live it well.
If These Guys Were Able to Fix Their Lives, You Can, Too
Keep going-
Brian Clark
Further
further: resources
I’ll come back
You won’t get that subhead until you read Arnold Schwarzenegger’s account of how weightlifting was as satisfying for him as sex. Other than that, this article is excellent, and touches on the theme of “do whatcha like” when it comes (ahem) to exercise.
How to Make Exercise More Fun Than Sex
The Resistance
In the course of a year, Jeff Hayden did 100,000 pushups and 50,000 sit-ups. Why? Well, when it comes to personal projects, there’s only one reason that matters — he wanted to see if he could do it.
Here’s What Happened When I Did 100,000 Pushups and 50,000 Sit-Ups
Mind lift
Neuroscience research has identified a stunningly effective yet simple way to significantly reduce depression symptoms: combining aerobic exercise with meditation.
Fighting Depression? Neuroscience Says This May Reduce Symptoms by 40 Percent (in Just 8 Weeks)
Exit strategy
In my opinion, having one or more small businesses that provide you income without having to be involved in day-to-day operations is the way to make it after age 65 (or whatever “retirement age” means to you). Problem is, many of we existing small business owners think we’re going to cash out of the business as a way to fund retirement. It’s a dangerous way to think.
Here’s What You’re Getting Wrong About Investing
Structured creativity
The authors of a new book on the art of breakthrough thinking explain how designing your day more thoughtfully can get your creative juices flowing.
Want to Have More Creative Breakthroughs? Redesign Your Day According to This Step-by-Step Guide
When to vacate
Not all travel is created equally. When you’re stressed out and bordering on slapping Sally in accounting, head to the manicured environment of a beach resort. When you’re looking for personal growth, go on an adventure to a new environment that pushes you beyond your comfort zone.
You deserve a break today
You read the last entry and thought to yourself, “Dude, forget slapping — Sally is so getting stabbed tomorrow.” First, breathe. Now, check out this useful list of places that you can re-find your center, and spare Sally’s kids from the orphanage.
8 Healthy Travel Spring Break Finds
¿Qué sabor tiene el rojo?
Synesthesia is a condition in which one sensory input (for example, sight), is concurrently perceived by another sense (such as taste). Apparently, learning a new language can trigger it. I’m currently learning Spanish, and while this sounds cool for a Friday night, ummm …. Oh, by the way, the subhead says “What does red taste like?” I’m getting good.
Want Synesthesia? Try Learning a New Language
Where is my mind?
When you don’t give its host anything to do, brain areas related to processing emotions, recalling memory, and thinking about what’s to come become quietly active. These self-referential streams of thought are so pervasive that some neuroscientists declare them “the default mode of brain function.”
Why Your Mind Is Always Wandering
Morning Phase
It’s hard to escape hearing about the power of waking up early, along with the benefits of corresponding morning rituals. What happens if you push yourself to wake up even earlier? More of a good thing, or …?
What Happened When I Forced Myself To Wake Up At 5 A.M. Every Day For A Month
further: sharing
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