As I struggled with my weight imbalance during my pre-TOPS POSITION, I often felt that words like exercise and diet were harsh. I was not willing to give something up or make changes.
My refractions on 64 years on this marble (I am 69, but I do not remember much of my first five years) have changed as much as the weights on my chart. Truly, not everything is red or black.
To make a SACRIFICE in the game of chess calls on one to deliberately give up a piece to gain a potential ADVANTAGE. This is also true on any journey to a healthier life.
In the earlier days of my TOPS-now POSITION, I had the thought that if I made smarter decisions, there would be no need to SACRIFICE. It worked for a while. However, there are many quotes that refract on the fact that nothing good comes easily. It does take effort.
President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “Nothing in this world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” TOPS has helped my STRATEGY in accepting the need to make the necessary SACRIFICE for the better.
Being obese is always painful, difficult and takes effort to survive one more day. TOPS has taught me to accept effort, some pain and to realize it may be difficult to lose weight. TOPS is always there to provide accountability and support when I make a HOWLER.
Yes, SACRIFICE sounds bad. However, it is worth the challenge. Not being willing to put in the effort to make changes will not help. One cannot give up on giving up that one piece that will give you progress.
Losing weight will never be easy. There are no shortcuts. Having a better mindset in realizing that my current behavior is what is driving my recent struggles will help to readjust my efforts to make the right SACRIFICE.
The right SACRIFICE does not always involve food; it may be SACRIFICING some time to allow for more physical ACTIVITY. Full disclosure, this has been the major reason for my recent struggles. I need to make more time for myself. I cannot explain it, but I just stopped walking…time to get back to the basics.
Again, a SACRIFICE is to deliberately give up something to gain an ADVANTAGE. In this game, the ADVANTAGE is a better quality of life and having more time to enjoy it. Well worth the SACRIFICE.
Dear Rick
“Making the right moves” has really hit home for me. I so appreciate your honesty..insights..and analogies to motivate me to make necessary changes to improve my health. There’s a saying..”choose your hard”…Because of what you wrote I’m recommitting to making health improvement changes to hopefully win at my “chess game” of better health.
Thank you!
Thanks Rick; I think I will try to make it a point to sacrifice some time and give it to intentional activity (hate the word exercise). I am going to make it a point to get 30 minutes of intentional activity and for that advantage (I’m not sure about that) I will give up 30 minutes of reading time.
Thank you. I have read and will pass it on.
Losing weight is a sacrifice! I would rather, STOP eating sugar whenever I want than be obese!! My health is important to me and my family! Thanks Rick