Is More Better?

A lot of people contend that more is better...more stuff, more toys, more money, more fill in the blank.

On the other hand, just as many people (maybe "more" these days) contend that it isn't more that it is better, instead we should be happy with what we have.

I think it really depends on what we are talking about, and how we define "more"...

As an example, I was at a big sculpture show this weekend (well, two shows actually...so I guess there is another example of "more"!). In my non-scientific observation I would say there were fewer artists participating and fewer patrons. However I did see significant numbers of items being wrapped and carried out. In today's paper there was a preliminary statement that said they believed more pieces sold this year than in years' past. More pieces, but the average price per piece was less. So a bigger number of pieces but less total dollar revenue.

I think this can be viewed as good news...more people got to appreciate and purchase more pieces from more artists. The wealth was spread around.

In the past, many artists thought they had to go bigger and bigger (a different type of more) in order to get the big sale. This year, those that did the best had smaller pieces that were affordable by more buyers.

I realize that I may have seemed to have veered off the Refuse To Diet course a bit, but I like this analogy for health and weight loss.

For years, many health advocates were telling us "more, more, more"...more exercising, longer and harder. My philosophy is that "more" may be best when it is more frequent but shorter duration at a time...more small pieces instead of one big one.

This is part of my formula for weight loss success. Do small amounts of exercise that fit into your time budget...make it "affordable". More of us can successfully fit in 15 minutes at a time and keep that up, rather than an hour 4 times a week that some people propose. It is important that we take consistent action, rather than a big effort that we can't sustain over time!

Re-evaluate how you define "more"...it isn't necessary to have huge workouts to get results. You can get a lot of pleasure and health benefits from smaller routines that you do more often.

Confessions of a Reluctant Exerciser

It is a wet snowy, rainy morning.

To be honest, my hip hurts, my shoulder hurts, my back hurts and I don't really feel like working out

And I thought, I don't have to. I get to take a day off every week. I could take today off. And I almost did.

And then I said you--no, just be gentle with yourself and your workout. Do extra stretching. Walk inside since it is cold and snowy outside. Don't do some of the strenuous stuff you do a lot of days. Just some gentle walking and go for at least 15 min. Do 15 minutes and then if you want to stop, stop.

Think how much better you will feel because you have stuck to your routine of even just a little more exercising, a little more movement than doing nothing at all.

I am proud that I stuck to the word to myself. I made the commitment to better health and I am sticking with it--even when maybe I don't really feel like it. Yay me!!!

It doesn't take a lot of effort. It is the small changes and being consistent in implementing those small changes.

Weight loss -- Stay motivated and on track

I love reading about the success other people are having at achieving their health and fitness goals. It helps me to stay motivated and remember that it is possible!

I especially like the section in the middle where he talks about ATTITUDE! Choosing to see exercise as a gift rather than a chore. Great stuff!

Weight loss and perfection don't mix: Stay motivated and on track - Examiner.com

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I also found this article really encouraging because even though this guy didn't have a lot of pounds to lose (compared to when I started) he was not in good physical condition. And look at him now!

Remember it is the little changes we make every day that make the difference!

Taking Action

You have defined your goals, set your intentions and made plans to support them. And for some of us, we have been given the opportunity to see how we can refine those plans and make them even better.

So what is left to do? ACT upon them.

• Move more.
• Contact your chosen support personnel.
• Go to the grocery store and buy raw nuts and veggies.
  
• Move some more.
• Cut up the veggies to have on hand for noshing.
• Put a small baggie of raw nuts in your purse or briefcase.
  
• Move again.
• Call your support people and USE them!
• Talk about your feelings rather than shove down with food
• And did I remind you to move?
  

And remember to take one day at a time...heck, take it one bite and one step at a time.

And please, take the time to breath in the sights, sounds and smells around you this season. Appreciate the people around you. Enjoy the next month and know that you didn't miss out on anything! That way you can start the new year with joy in your heart, pride at your accomplishments and a heart filled with happy memories!

Cutting Calories in Small "Bites"

Sometimes when we decide we are going to drop a couple (or a lot) of pounds, we think we can do it overnight. Or that if we cut out a lot of calories all at once we will have greater success.

I've touched on this before, but it is so important to realize that the best thing we can do for ourselves and our bodies (and by example for our friends and family) is to make small changes that we can keep up!

Focus on cutting small amounts of calories out rather than reducing to 1200 or 1000 calories a day. It is much easier to do and be consistent with and the consistency is the key. Make it your goal to eat 100 fewer calories today and every day. It may not seem like much, but that 100 extra calories is what puts 10+ pounds on us every year.

By making small changes you barely miss what you cut out, so it is easy! Be gentle with yourself with this one and bump up the small changes over time. I know I didn't gain 100 pounds overnight, even though sometimes it sure felt like it!

Consistently making small changes you WILL see results. Seeing the results provides such a boost that you want to keep going.