The Simple Guide to Dieting

I’ve always wanted to get down to the basics in my life.  I know it doesn’t have to be complicated.  I’m a simple kind of man.  So, as things go, in conjunction with resolutions to be a better kind of man, comes being a healthier and thinner man.  (Less of me is simpler, right?) 

I didn’t become a large man by using my resolve to deny food in the past.  I need structure to do it.  I will strive to be more active, but will power alone, I have to accept, will not always achieve the desired results. 

Fad plans and structure programs are fine but they can be to complex.  Eat this, not that lists, Atkins, South Beach… it’s all too complicated to try and keep up with. 

The problem with them is that they don’t account for reality.  For instance, tell a 5 year old little girl, who is holding out a piece of birthday cake, you can’t eat it because it has too many Weight Watcher points and you’ll have to skip dinner tonight if you eat it. 

I’ve had great amounts of weight loss in my past, and I owe it all to a strategy that’s not too complex.  Watching what I put in my mouth and journaling it.

I’ve had a lot of success at counting calories because no matter which philosophy you follow be it carbs, sugars, or points counting.  My doctor gave it to me straight.  It’s about calories in calories out. 

Weight loss is about expending more calories than you take in.   It is that simple.

So I have help using MyFitnessPal because I can log on and journal my food which keeps track of my calories consumed and burned.  They offer an app for my iPhone so that I can be anywhere and just add it to my diary. They give me an option to check in on my weight so I can chart my progress.  It’s very helpful.

Weight loss doesn’t have to be some new fad plan.  If you start to count calories and be conscientious about what you eat you’ll be surprised at your own behavior, but you’ll also be surprised about how much weight you’ll lose. 

It’s as easy as watching what you eat and being consistent.  Truly the least complex way to diet and exercise is to just journal it. 

As a part of my dieting I will let you know how this continues to go for me.  This week I weighed in at 285 pounds.  I’ll make regular posts concerning weight loss and my progress so stay tuned.   

Job Loss Survival Plan

At some point or another we’ve all experienced a job loss.  With the economy being in the state that it is and unemployment at an all time high, it’s likely that you or someone you know is in threat of losing a job.

This can be a traumatic experience, because we closely identify who we are in large part by what we do for a living.  It’s the first thing we ask other who we’re just meeting, and tends be how we define and rank ourselves in society.  

We put so much pressure on ourselves about our work that anxiety and depression related to job loss is common.  To keep anything like that from happening I have outlined some steps below to aid in surviving the transition from newly unemployed to successfully hired.

Don’t Panic - Apply for Benefits 

It’s important to keep your head straight as this separation is occurring.  The shock of learning that you’ve been terminated from your job may cause you to overreact.  Keep a level mind and immediately apply for benefits.  Remember, every state has benefits for the newly unemployed.  Check the laws in your state about how to apply for benefits that will cushion your fall as you transition between jobs.

Go Through the Grieving Process

You’ve put a large portion of your time, energy, and emotions into your work, and now it’s gone.  You have spent time with co-workers, bonding and building relationships that going to break apart.  No one expects you to take this lightly.  It’s alright to morn the loss of the routine and familiar.  It’s completely natural.  Express the emotions to friends or family and let them be a shoulder for you during this tough time.

Empathize with Your Former Employer

It’s very important not to harbor resentment toward your former employer.  Begin letting negative emotions go because bitterness, and anger kept inside of you can damage your future employment opportunities.  No potential boss wants to hear about how awful your former employer was because you might eventually say the same thing about them. 

Put yourself in the position of your former boss.  It was likely a “numbers game” and had nothing to do with you personally.  Times change and they had little choice in the matter. 

They must feel awful for eliminating your position but decisions have to be made.  Keep an amicable relationship with your former employer if possible because you never know what the future might bring.

Don’t Question Your Worth

I’ve mentioned this above but it’s worth restating.  You’re going to go through questions of your own value.   Remember that it wasn’t easy to let you go.  You provide value to a company through the work you do. 

Remember that there’s more to life than your job. You also have family, friends and a life to lead when not working.  Those are the things make you a valued person not the job you do to earn a living.

Remain Positive

A negative view is dangerous because it will permeate to every area of your life.  Keep a positive outlook and a good disposition.  No one wants to hire someone who’s harboring apparent negativity about their former jobs. 

Ask Yourself “What’s Next?”  - Catalyst for Change

Perhaps it’s time for a change of pace?  Consider the possibilities of going back to school or changing careers.  If you were employed in an industry that is going through mass layoffs, the economy may be going through a transition with limited employment options. Competition is going to be stiff.  The time might be right to continue your education or change career paths all together.  Search your soul.  This opportunity might be right to pursue new unexplored options.

Cut Down on Creature Comforts

Until you regain a job it might be necessary to cut back on the little luxuries in your budget.  Reduce the amount of spending you do until you know for sure where the mortgage payment is coming from next month.  It’s time to be cautious and frugal. 

Think of this sudden change as opportunity.  It’s a fork in the road full of options.  You will press on and thrive.  Take from the experience what lessons you can and stay optimistic.  The only thing that stays the same is that everything always changes.