I was at an event earlier this week where this fellow discussed how we often neglect recovering physical energy. (Along the lines of what Loehr and Schwartz said in
The Power of Full Engagement.) Now, I need to put this conversation into context, because the presenter is a tri-athalete and coaches kids in the sport. So, he is a pretty serious athlete - and looked it! He
clearly is carrying less than 20% body fat! As part of physical recovery, he discussed how important it is that we eat nutrient-rich foods. He asked the audience which choice should he make if he had a spare 200 calories in his eating plan for that day - the eggplant parmigiana or the asparagus? (Both items were on our lunch menu.
Gasp!) My initial reaction was, “Oh, come on! Is he really monitoring his food intake
that carefully? 200 calories is nothing for this guy! He probably burned off 1000 calories before breakfast this morning!” As soon as I thought it, I answered, “Yeah! I bet he is!” Because he is as serious as a heart attack about his sport. You just know that he keeps track of every sip of water and morsel of food that crosses his lips. While I sit around and whine like a spoiled brat, “It isn’t fair. Why should I have to do that? Nobody else does.” Boy! That’s coming out of my vocabulary
right now!!
A light bulb came on for me: even athletes monitor their food intake! Or maybe instead of saying “even”, I should say “in particular”. Notice the language: athletes don’t “diet”, they “monitor their food intake”. They will do whatever it takes to maximize energy and performance. And how is that any different than what we “mere mortals” need to do in order to get through OUR day - “with exuberance!”? (Particularly at THIS time of year!) We also need to “maximize energy and performance” Framed that way, doesn’t eating properly sound a whole lot better than “dieting”? (The old joke: what do the first three letters of “diet” spell?) And here’s the thing: so you EAT the cake and cookies and holiday punch, etc. - put on the requisite “Holiday 10″. Just how crappy DO you feel afterwards? Feel like taking that jog around the block now? (Talk about heart attacks!) But of course all of this is important only if you’re serious about accomplishing the things you want in life. As it says in Alice in Wonderland: if you don’t know where you’re going, then it doesn’t matter much which way you go.
Happy Holidays!
“All Things With Exuberance!”
mary!
