I saw the quote above the other day. On the whole, it makes sense. We tend to get stressed out about work, school, money, our bodies, health, being in style and so on, sometimes to the point of sickness. We are so busy we often don't have time for friends, family, downtime. It's not worth all that. In that case, I say, yes chill out. Tone down the stress level a bit by finding a balance, seeing where you can make little changes, and slicing some "fat" out of your day to make it more manageable.
Choosing a different life vs. being satisfied with what you have.
Different Life: On the plus side, a different life or lifestyle can recharge your batteries. It also can present new and exciting challenges and experiences. You may be able to meet new people, be introduced to cultures different from your own, and learn something new. All good things, for sure. But there's a minus side too. If you decide to pick up stakes, move far away, and start over, it could cost you a dear sum of money as well as heartache and headaches when you have to say goodbye to close friends and family and everything familiar. It can also be intimidating, moving to a new town, starting a new job, making new friends. And lonely, too, as you struggle to make those friends in your new surroundings while realizing as time goes by that you've become distant in more ways than one with the folks back home. You're on the outside looking in in both places. That can be scary, too.
Being Satisfied: The good thing about being satisfied is that you don't have to deal with all the upheaval that comes with change. It's comfortable, safe. It's sometimes easier to settle. It also forces you to appreciate what you have and enjoy the simple life. But being satisfied can also be limiting. You may live your life in your little corner of the world, sheltered from anything different or challenging, missing out on what's going on "out there." You may run the risk of becoming stagnant, unfulfilled, bored.
How it relates to fitness
Is being satisfied with your current fitness level really healthy? If you're obese or overweight you could be increasing your risk for developing health problems such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. If you're underweight you also could be at risk for certain health problems such as anemia, compromised immunity, and osteoporosis. Is it worth the risk just to stay where you are? Wouldn't it be better to tackle the hard but rewarding work that's involved in living fit and healthy? Only you can answer that.
A different lifestyle could be just what you need to improve your health and mood. So, while you shouldn't degrade yourself for being overweight/obese or underweight, you really need to evaluate how your current life is and if you're happy and healthy that way. If not, then you need to take steps to change, including getting a complete physical exam and nutrition consultation a from qualified professionals. You may also ask your doctor for exercise recommendations, any limitations you need to be aware of, and if you could benefit from working with an exercise specialist.
Changing your lifestyle doesn't have to be sudden, expensive, or limiting/depriving. Pick exercises/activities you enjoy or would like to try. Start slow. Shoot for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Examples of moderate exercise is brisk walking, dancing, and gardening. Your heart rate increases but you can still talk comfortably while doing the activity. Break it up into 30-minute bouts throughout the week. If that still seems like too much, break it down further to three 10-minute bouts throughout each day that you exercise (preferably most days of the week). As for food, gradually replace less nutritious foods such as candy, soda-pop, pizza, fatty meats, highly processed foods, and simple carbs with healthier choices such as fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, low/no-fat items, and whole grains. You can still enjoy your favorite less healthy foods; just eat them occasionally instead of all the time. If you are trying to gain weight, consult with a registered dietitian or health care provider. If you are a parent and suspect that your child has an eating disorder, it's very important that you contact your child's physician for advice.
So, yes, be satisfied with yourself, your habits, your job, your surroundings and so on if they are truly fulfilling. But don't be afraid to change if you feel as if you are stuck in a rut, bored or going down an unhealthy path. Do what feels right in your gut.
Do you prefer to stay where you are or are you ready for a change? Let me know via email or in the comments below. Thanks! Have a great weekend!
