The Biggest Loser, loses

I am not unlike most of the world in that I find myself sucked into the vortex known as reality t.v. each fall. To make matters worse I am a TIVO owner. This means that I am able to easily record an infinite number of shows with the touch of a button (boop-de-boop).

One of my favorites has always been The Biggest Loser. This season I have found myself disappointed each week with the contestants inability to pull big numbers (in reference to their weekly weight loss). It is fairly ridiculous for me in the profession of wellness to expect this and yet I sit in front of the t.v. screen on Tuesdays wondering "what is wrong with this batch?" Last year I was always impressed with the weekly weight loss drop in double digits and the '08 group has been putting up 3's, 5's and even some 0's.

And then I remembered the inexplicable truth that is reality t.v. Epiphany here folks pay attention. It is not reality! When placed in controlled situations while cameras roll there are many things that can be forced, but the body is not one of them. It will ebb and flow as we do, moving in and out of weight fluctuations without regard to what we think about it.

Reality is, weight loss is a long road. It is a journey that only the brave will undertake and the most courageous succeed in. Even with hours of workout time under their belt and nothing to think of other then how to prepare their next healthy meal the contestants still experience a stand still.

So what for the many masses that don't have personal chefs, 6 hours a day to spend in the gym, and Jillian or Bob pushing the body beyond what was believed capable? How can success be realized?

That is the hard part. There isn't an easy diet, workout, program, or pill to create immediate results. It has to be done as one learns to walk, crawling first, then standing, falling down, standing again, one tentative foot in front of the other. There must be a deep desire for a different experience in the body, a commitment to living the life that will bring it about, and a willingness to push forward even when it seems to be fruitless.

Ultimately the reward of this challenging road is a body to stand proud in, but it can only be achieved if the individual is willing to commit to the journey.

A passion for life

It might seem funny to follow a Ho-hum post with a passion post but such is the ebb and flow of life. Two rather large occurrences have brought me to this topic. Here's my run down...

1. My monthly IntenSati training call highlighted a discussion on Integrity. The official sati definition of Integrity? An absence of contradiction between what you say and what you do. The essence of life is to live it fully, wildly, and lovingly. When the call finished I was stirred up a bit and when I thought about living my life wildy the word passion came to mind, and then the word obsession. So I checked out the official Webster definitions.
-Passion: any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling as love and hate
-Obsession: the domination of one's thoughts by a persistent idea, image, desire, or feeling.

I decided I need to be obsessed, consumed, diligent, laser-focused on creating thoughts that are positive, uplifting, affirming, strong, loving, peaceful, and joyful. If I let my guard down for one moment, negativity will seep into me infesting my mind, heart, and body. Then my passion will be snuffed out.

Interesting that another of the definitions in Webster for passion was in reference to the life of Christ (The passion of The Christ). He is the best example available of an individual being obsessed, consumed, diligent, laser-focused. He said himself that he needed to be 'about my father's business' when questioned about the object of his obsession. Thoughts of God kept him safe for 40 days in the desert and even in complete agony on the cross his thoughts were on God. Of course his life endeavor would be the definition of passion.

My conclusion? Obsession and passion go hand in hand. They are soul mates, best friends, peanut butter and jelly, what have you.

2.Michael Kaplan has a passion for life that is untouchable to any I have ever seen before. First let me give you some background...He is a dear friend that went in for a routine root canal last week. The area became infected and by Saturday he was rushed into surgery. They put him in ICU and since that first surgery he has had 3 more. The doctors continue to find abscesses that need to be drained and today they performed three separate procedures. In the midst of this he is lucid and aware, writing notes, asking not to be given pain medication (he wants to be able to participate in his recovery), and holding stronger that anything I've witnessed.

Over the last 4 days there have been countless people coming in to support and care for his wife, Pauline and offer their love, unconditionally, for a man that has played a large role in transforming many of their lives. Michael is a holistic health practitioner and healer.

Even I find my ho-hums transmuted into passionate sighs tonight. I elected to stay at the hospital on watch tonight so Pauline could rest some. On one of my visits to look in on Michael he motioned to me that he wanted to write. He asked how the surgery went, and then opened his right eye a bit (his face is quite swollen from all the invasive surgery and bacteria) and waved at me. He waved at me! Now be clear this man is on almost no pain medication (the nurse informed me she'd "die" if she was in his place) and has been through a horrendous ordeal this week, and he waved at me.

I can't help but feel a bit reticent while I type this and recall last week writing of my overwhelming doldrums and boredom. I am grateful to be here now, grateful, grateful, grateful.

Today I will look for opportunities to be obsessed and passionate in my life, my thoughts, and my dreams. Those opportunities may be hiding someplace I didn't think to look because I am sleeping. Today I will open my eyes, even if it is just one eye. Today I will wave at the world.

With passion, L-

HI- HO, HI- HO......

it's off to work I go. The last two weeks have felt more like ho-hum. The shorter days and cooler weather have had an expected effect that I experience around this time each year. It seems the farther the sun is from us the farther my inspiration and excitement seem from me.

I look forward to the impending cold about as much as going to the dentist or doctor but I also understand the need for this time of reflection, and going under to refresh and renew. I have had enough examples in my life living as a tired, shriveled flower waiting for spring, believing the light would never come, only to find that my blossom had doubled in size once it appeared again. As I gain a deeper understanding of the cycles of life I feel as though I could, this time, possibly align myself with the ho-hums. After all without them I would never have my oohs and ahhs.

So I've decided to make a truce with the dark, cold winter that is on it's way. I know it will come, and I know it will go and perhaps if I can welcome it washing over me, I will gain my insights without struggle and needless sabotage.

So in regards to this alliance, I have agreed with my ho- hums to do the following; nap when I feel tired, cap out my to-do list at 5 items per day, not berate myself when I don't "get anything done", reuse workouts with clients if creativity fails me, and eat as many desserts as I need to.

In return the ho-hums have promised to stay only as long as absolutely necessary not lingering for even one extra minute, give me the much needed rest I deserve after my busy summer of growth, expansion, and love, and leave me with a new and refreshed excitement for my life.

So here's to looking at things a little differently, I already feel a little Hi-Ho coming on!

I am officially a blogger!

Well I guess it is time to blog....am I catching up with the day and age or just acquiescing to my cohorts, loved ones, and family? It seems this is the way to stay connected, or maybe THE way to document a day in the life of.... either way it seems this was inevitable. As my recently gained sister- in- law said when I shared with her my efforts in creating a wedding website..."you are only moments away from creating a blog". I guess she was right.

I definitely have a desire to share my life with those that are far removed from me, but also a desire to just...write. I thought about taking a class but perhaps this is the first step. Something to get me moving (and writing), something to keep me connected to those I love, something to fill the hours that would otherwise be spent napping or watching t.v. (both wasted activities, right?)

And here I am recently married, living my life, sharing it with the world, (or at least those willing to read) but most importantly the ones I love. This is my intro and I dare you to stay tuned to what comes of this blog. My bet is on a day to day commentary of a normal life, though it is never certain. I have been known to have some crazy experiences with some colorful tale telling that could lead to a check-in addiction, so heads up if some of your "wasted time" is on blogs, you might be spending a few hours here, I am a bit like that show you can't quite quit....you know what I am talking about...Flavor of Love, The Bachelor, Curb Appeal, Burn Notice, Monk, The Office, Oprah, Psych, My Name is Earl, ....oh my goodness I watch way too much t.v. ...so maybe you don't (know what I am talking about).

I am on a mission to get it straight and live it straight though I happen to hit a number of bumps along the way. I am doing my best to make a difference in this world and this might not be the ticket but at least I can suss it out along the way. This is my best shot at life, take it or leave it!