The ChillOut Log
- Thread starter Chillen
- Start date
- Status
It's good & bad....
It means you get to share time with your family and let them be part of what you do....
It also means they're gonna totally drag-ass, slow you down and super-compromise the quality of your routine. When my wife joins me on the bike rides, it means a short ride, a slow ride and about as much energy expended as playing a video game
But it's all good.....hope you had a good time!
We had a great time!
Thanks!
Chillen
January 30th, 2008: Thoughts for tha day (Articles)
I hope everyones day was just fantastic!
Peace and happiness to ALL of you.
All of you are a mass of amazing and phenomenal accomplishment!
Decided to post some articles for you to read, today:
Best wishes to all of you each and everyday!
Chillen
I hope everyones day was just fantastic!
Peace and happiness to ALL of you.
All of you are a mass of amazing and phenomenal accomplishment!
Decided to post some articles for you to read, today:
Best wishes to all of you each and everyday!
Chillen
Last edited:
Chillen,
I think I over-did it today....
Dropped the kids off at school and went to the gym. Took the spinning class but it only went 1 hour, so I stuck around anticipating taking a portion of the next class...but instead, the music was great and being in a room full of woman, I decided to stay the whole class. So, after 2 spinning classes back to back I hit the indoor Olympic pool and swam laps (each lap is across AND back....not just one way). I did 32 laps, thus completing a mile. I then, after 3.4 hours, left the gym rather depleted.
Went home, worked the business, ate some light food & protein shake, then went to play racquetball league for another 2 hours.
So, that's about 5.5 hours...and yesterday was 1-hr training with the trainer and then another hour of elliptical....tomorrow is the trainer again and probably more elliptical.
Dude...I think I'm over-doing it, figuring I'm making more progress but in fact may be doing harm to my body and hindering myself. I dunno, hard to say. Half an effort results in no results, and only full-throttle intensity gives me marginal results. Eh, it is what it is, I'm just venting....
I think I over-did it today....
Dropped the kids off at school and went to the gym. Took the spinning class but it only went 1 hour, so I stuck around anticipating taking a portion of the next class...but instead, the music was great and being in a room full of woman, I decided to stay the whole class. So, after 2 spinning classes back to back I hit the indoor Olympic pool and swam laps (each lap is across AND back....not just one way). I did 32 laps, thus completing a mile. I then, after 3.4 hours, left the gym rather depleted.
Went home, worked the business, ate some light food & protein shake, then went to play racquetball league for another 2 hours.
So, that's about 5.5 hours...and yesterday was 1-hr training with the trainer and then another hour of elliptical....tomorrow is the trainer again and probably more elliptical.
Dude...I think I'm over-doing it, figuring I'm making more progress but in fact may be doing harm to my body and hindering myself. I dunno, hard to say. Half an effort results in no results, and only full-throttle intensity gives me marginal results. Eh, it is what it is, I'm just venting....
January 31, 2008: Thoughts for the day (1) Article
A good read from Dr. John Berardi (Edit, actually posted by him, but written by Ryan Andrews)
Fructose - The Sweet Nectar of Body Fat? - Precision Nutrition
Hope your day ROCKED!
Chillen
A good read from Dr. John Berardi (Edit, actually posted by him, but written by Ryan Andrews)
Fructose - The Sweet Nectar of Body Fat? - Precision Nutrition
Hope your day ROCKED!
Chillen
Last edited:
Chillen,
I hit a plateau, I have been at 156 pounds since the 17th of Jan.
I was wondering a few things...
What percent of your maintance calories do you usually eat at? I fear I went way too low and slowed my metabolism a lot.
Do you gradually keep lowering calories to keep from hitting a plateau??? Gradually increase cardio? Or what?
If you have hit a plateau... what are some things you have done to get over it? And how long does it take?
Thanks!
I hit a plateau, I have been at 156 pounds since the 17th of Jan.
I was wondering a few things...
What percent of your maintance calories do you usually eat at? I fear I went way too low and slowed my metabolism a lot.
Do you gradually keep lowering calories to keep from hitting a plateau??? Gradually increase cardio? Or what?
If you have hit a plateau... what are some things you have done to get over it? And how long does it take?
Thanks!
I have written and posted this in a different thread, and wanted to post it to the COL in the event some missed it.
I believe it may have value for some:
One of the most difficult things to overcome in achieving a change of diet and lifestyle is: The food craving. When deficit dieting the food craving is going to come. Do not be surprised. This is normal, and its one you have no choice but to deal with.
In order to control or attempt to eliminate your cravings, you need to understand why you have them and get-over-it through proactive self-participation.
Knowledge is power. Consistant application of this power, will give one a lethal dose to food cravings and provide strength and dexterity to one's goal path.
Why one can have cravings when deficit dieting:
1. The body is deficient in energy (calories) and has to look to itself for a source of energy (be it muscle and/or fat source). The body is literally feeding on itself to provide vitality in response to a energy shortage and is trying to meet the outside/inside demands placed upon it.
2. Sometimes unstable blood sugar levels can cause intense hunger cravings. The more stable the human blood sugar the more "stable" your hunger cravings will be. Sharp increases and declines in blood sugar levels can give one intense hunger pains that can be difficult to overcome.
The way you can combat this problem, is through understanding various food items and the big three macronutrients: Carbs, Protein, and Fats, and how they "can effect" one's blood sugar levels. And, knowing WHEN its appropriate to have an increase in blood sugar levels and when its not.
For example:
Post workout nutrition. One just got done with a rather demanding fitness workout, and placed alot of demand on the body and its muscles. The muscles are depleted and broken down. There is a need of replacement nutrition, and it should be given rather quickly. It is a good time to consume fruits (simple carbs [sugars]), and protein, at this time. The "correct fruit" will elevate blood sugar rather quickly and since the body is in "present need" will shuttle the appropriate carbs where needed, and this isnt detrimmental nor will add to one's hunger complications.
If anything, IMO, I believe it would "assist" against hunger cravings (later) because you are giving the body what it needs at the appropriate time and will not yell at you later or be an "assistor in lowering your energy levels" by continuing to be broken down through inadequate and timely nutrition.
Eating frequent meals with adequate and selective food items will be a major piece in your hunger puzzle. You determine your Maintenance Line of Calories, and divide the number of meals with your Maintenance Line of Calories to determine the approximate number of calories per meal.
Eating frequent meals is great in an ideal and perfect world. However, we all know we live in an imperfect world that can disrupt what we do, and eating frequently as planned is one of them. This can cause one to "improvise" and "adjust" on-the-fly, and "should be" expected and not lead one to surprise.
While eating frequent meals is recommended, if this cant happen or is disrupted in some way, and you had to adjust, this ISNT going to make you hit the curb on your fat loss quest. The most important factor when the dust settles, is whether one IS or IS NOT in an energy deficit at the end of the day. In some cases, having eating patterns irregular can assist one in fat loss dependent on dieting logistics. Just try to eat as often as your lifestyle allows adjust your meals when you have to--with applying knowledge learned.
3. Lets add 1 and 2 together. If the body is deficient in energy levels and being forced to locate fuel from itself (deficit in calories)--and--the blood sugar levels are sharply increasing and declining (at times), "this is a most deadly combination to cause intense hunger cravings".
4. Even if you level blood sugar (through what you eat within your diet and calorie manipulations), one will still be left with the body being deficient in energy, and will be calling on you to eat; however, its the lessor of the two, IMO, and is the place one wants to be at most of the time when deficite dieting to lose fat tissue, as it is truely easier to deal with.
==========================================================
On-going and continued education in:
1. Information on various techniques to combat cravings.
Read, read, and read some more. Absorb it and apply it. When you read an article on certain techniques to handle food cravings, and it appears it may not fit within your life style, is their a way you can:
A. Modify, change, or manipulate the idea or concept in some fashion to work with your personality and within your current lifestyle?
B. Manipulate lite fitness training to your goal advantage?
Sometimes just keeping the mind occupied on something else for a small duration of time can be enough to combat the current food craving and reduce it to toleratable levels; however, this can require a certain amount of self discipline (along with manipulating your foods to your advantage) in order to be successful.
You could jump on a bike for very lite cardio session (a few minutes), and consume a no-calorie or very low calorie beverage to fill the stomach and get the blood pumped. Take a walk. Play a video game you like, and on and on with the potential possibilities.
Look within your environment and see things others cant see--that will assist you toward your goal path.
Develop clear stategies to deal with weaknesses. Allow your strengths to improve your weaknesses. And, you can use FOOD to assist your weakness by using your strength of being proactive.
Some proactive anti-food craving tactics:
When you view these brief guidelines, I would like you to keep an open mind and think about ways you can manipulate these guidelines to fit within the circumference of your personal life style. In other words, you can take some or all of the guidelines and modify/change them to a degree that is more applicable or suitable to your individual environment.
A. Change your frame of mind when going to the grocery store:
--->1. Hunger Defense Perception One:
Look for food items that are bulky (that will fill a large portion of the stomach capacity) and carry the nutritional quality that fits within the macronutrient value you seek (all macronutrients), that fit within your life style for:
A. Home.
B. Work.
C. School.
Educate yourself on various types of foods that take long periods (or a longer period, if you will) to digest than others. that fits in the health and nutrition scope you personally seek. Investigate the "reasons" why this is case, though investigating the nutrients in these types of food. For example, "fiber rich" foods can take longer to digest and give a sense of being full.
(If you want I can provide a list of suggestions)
--->2. Hunger Defense Perception Two:
Specific shelf and refrigerator items specifically purchased to assist one's self during the times when food cravings are a problem. These are bulking items that are low in calorie content BUT carry a nutritional punch in accordance to its caloric value.
1. When hunger is a problem its important to know where you are at in your diet in the calorie equation, in order to "effectively" use one of your proactive and goal-keeping food purchases for:
A. Home.
B. Work.
C. School
(If you want I can provide a list of suggestions)
==========================================================
The mind game is critical to ones success:
The best doctors in the world are "Personal Doctors": (written by Chillen)
Doctor Diet: The quite-riot to the diet;
Doctor Trainer: The no-brainer and the painter of the muscle-gainer;
Doctor Fat: Goes at-bat to combat fat to make the stomach flat;
Doctor Calorie: The internal art-gallery to attend the external shooting-gallery;
Doctor Inspiration: Sets the foundation sensation to end frustration;
Doctor Motivation: Creation plantation to end temptation and bring mental vibration;
Doctor Mind: Designed and combined not to be confined to get behind and maligned to the self-kind.
Doctor Willpower: Devour the control-tower and empower the super-power.
(Chillen) (posted previously, but did it again )
==========================================================
"What you do with diet and exercise is up to you, in the context you give to time,--as time will pay you no mind. But, given time with your context in mind, your mind will give time to your mind."
(Chillen)
==========================================================
I wrote this rather quickly, and its not exhaustive. Maybe I will write a more detailed post on how to fight hunger cravings in the COL if I am asked.
If you have questions, please feel to ask them. I will answer them.
Best wishes to you, my friend.
From my heart to yours.
Chillen
I believe it may have value for some:
A Brief Post on Cravings:
One of the most difficult things to overcome in achieving a change of diet and lifestyle is: The food craving. When deficit dieting the food craving is going to come. Do not be surprised. This is normal, and its one you have no choice but to deal with.
In order to control or attempt to eliminate your cravings, you need to understand why you have them and get-over-it through proactive self-participation.
Knowledge is power. Consistant application of this power, will give one a lethal dose to food cravings and provide strength and dexterity to one's goal path.
Why one can have cravings when deficit dieting:
1. The body is deficient in energy (calories) and has to look to itself for a source of energy (be it muscle and/or fat source). The body is literally feeding on itself to provide vitality in response to a energy shortage and is trying to meet the outside/inside demands placed upon it.
2. Sometimes unstable blood sugar levels can cause intense hunger cravings. The more stable the human blood sugar the more "stable" your hunger cravings will be. Sharp increases and declines in blood sugar levels can give one intense hunger pains that can be difficult to overcome.
The way you can combat this problem, is through understanding various food items and the big three macronutrients: Carbs, Protein, and Fats, and how they "can effect" one's blood sugar levels. And, knowing WHEN its appropriate to have an increase in blood sugar levels and when its not.
For example:
Post workout nutrition. One just got done with a rather demanding fitness workout, and placed alot of demand on the body and its muscles. The muscles are depleted and broken down. There is a need of replacement nutrition, and it should be given rather quickly. It is a good time to consume fruits (simple carbs [sugars]), and protein, at this time. The "correct fruit" will elevate blood sugar rather quickly and since the body is in "present need" will shuttle the appropriate carbs where needed, and this isnt detrimmental nor will add to one's hunger complications.
If anything, IMO, I believe it would "assist" against hunger cravings (later) because you are giving the body what it needs at the appropriate time and will not yell at you later or be an "assistor in lowering your energy levels" by continuing to be broken down through inadequate and timely nutrition.
Eating frequent meals with adequate and selective food items will be a major piece in your hunger puzzle. You determine your Maintenance Line of Calories, and divide the number of meals with your Maintenance Line of Calories to determine the approximate number of calories per meal.
Eating frequent meals is great in an ideal and perfect world. However, we all know we live in an imperfect world that can disrupt what we do, and eating frequently as planned is one of them. This can cause one to "improvise" and "adjust" on-the-fly, and "should be" expected and not lead one to surprise.
While eating frequent meals is recommended, if this cant happen or is disrupted in some way, and you had to adjust, this ISNT going to make you hit the curb on your fat loss quest. The most important factor when the dust settles, is whether one IS or IS NOT in an energy deficit at the end of the day. In some cases, having eating patterns irregular can assist one in fat loss dependent on dieting logistics. Just try to eat as often as your lifestyle allows adjust your meals when you have to--with applying knowledge learned.
3. Lets add 1 and 2 together. If the body is deficient in energy levels and being forced to locate fuel from itself (deficit in calories)--and--the blood sugar levels are sharply increasing and declining (at times), "this is a most deadly combination to cause intense hunger cravings".
4. Even if you level blood sugar (through what you eat within your diet and calorie manipulations), one will still be left with the body being deficient in energy, and will be calling on you to eat; however, its the lessor of the two, IMO, and is the place one wants to be at most of the time when deficite dieting to lose fat tissue, as it is truely easier to deal with.
==========================================================
On-going and continued education in:
1. Information on various techniques to combat cravings.
Read, read, and read some more. Absorb it and apply it. When you read an article on certain techniques to handle food cravings, and it appears it may not fit within your life style, is their a way you can:
A. Modify, change, or manipulate the idea or concept in some fashion to work with your personality and within your current lifestyle?
KEEP YOUR PERCEPTION UNTAINTED.
B. Manipulate lite fitness training to your goal advantage?
Sometimes just keeping the mind occupied on something else for a small duration of time can be enough to combat the current food craving and reduce it to toleratable levels; however, this can require a certain amount of self discipline (along with manipulating your foods to your advantage) in order to be successful.
You could jump on a bike for very lite cardio session (a few minutes), and consume a no-calorie or very low calorie beverage to fill the stomach and get the blood pumped. Take a walk. Play a video game you like, and on and on with the potential possibilities.
Look within your environment and see things others cant see--that will assist you toward your goal path.
Develop clear stategies to deal with weaknesses. Allow your strengths to improve your weaknesses. And, you can use FOOD to assist your weakness by using your strength of being proactive.
Some proactive anti-food craving tactics:
When you view these brief guidelines, I would like you to keep an open mind and think about ways you can manipulate these guidelines to fit within the circumference of your personal life style. In other words, you can take some or all of the guidelines and modify/change them to a degree that is more applicable or suitable to your individual environment.
A. Change your frame of mind when going to the grocery store:
--->1. Hunger Defense Perception One:
Look for food items that are bulky (that will fill a large portion of the stomach capacity) and carry the nutritional quality that fits within the macronutrient value you seek (all macronutrients), that fit within your life style for:
A. Home.
B. Work.
C. School.
Educate yourself on various types of foods that take long periods (or a longer period, if you will) to digest than others. that fits in the health and nutrition scope you personally seek. Investigate the "reasons" why this is case, though investigating the nutrients in these types of food. For example, "fiber rich" foods can take longer to digest and give a sense of being full.
(If you want I can provide a list of suggestions)
--->2. Hunger Defense Perception Two:
Specific shelf and refrigerator items specifically purchased to assist one's self during the times when food cravings are a problem. These are bulking items that are low in calorie content BUT carry a nutritional punch in accordance to its caloric value.
1. When hunger is a problem its important to know where you are at in your diet in the calorie equation, in order to "effectively" use one of your proactive and goal-keeping food purchases for:
A. Home.
B. Work.
C. School
(If you want I can provide a list of suggestions)
==========================================================
The mind game is critical to ones success:
The best doctors in the world are "Personal Doctors": (written by Chillen)
Doctor Diet: The quite-riot to the diet;
Doctor Trainer: The no-brainer and the painter of the muscle-gainer;
Doctor Fat: Goes at-bat to combat fat to make the stomach flat;
Doctor Calorie: The internal art-gallery to attend the external shooting-gallery;
Doctor Inspiration: Sets the foundation sensation to end frustration;
Doctor Motivation: Creation plantation to end temptation and bring mental vibration;
Doctor Mind: Designed and combined not to be confined to get behind and maligned to the self-kind.
Doctor Willpower: Devour the control-tower and empower the super-power.
(Chillen) (posted previously, but did it again
)==========================================================
"What you do with diet and exercise is up to you, in the context you give to time,--as time will pay you no mind. But, given time with your context in mind, your mind will give time to your mind."
(Chillen)
==========================================================
I wrote this rather quickly, and its not exhaustive. Maybe I will write a more detailed post on how to fight hunger cravings in the COL if I am asked.
If you have questions, please feel to ask them. I will answer them.
Best wishes to you, my friend.
From my heart to yours.
Chillen
Last edited:
I will post something tomorrow for you. In addition, I will have some questions to ask to pinpoint some necessary information from you.
I will also share what I currently do and what I have done in the past that leads to what I do today to help you all I can.
Best regards,
Chillen
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I posted this in another thread as well:
With the previous post in mind, I want to add another mode of thought.
Most (not all of course) do not use the almighty power of "manipulating the king of kings: The Calorie".
Calorie manipulation can be a powerful tool to use to eat more and prevent hunger cravings.
Understand the energy IN versus energy OUT equation.
Learn it well. It can prevent you from experiencing hell, and have you check in the goal motel.
To manipulate calories one has to have a good understanding of:
1. There personal MT Line,, along with the deficit/surplus target in mind (with associated activities per day understood)
2. Calories burned during certain exercises (education is vital)
3. Confine calories within a 24 hour period "that fits their lifestyle."
A breif and simple example application:
My MT Line is 2800c with my "current" workout and other activities factored in. I have been running deficits of about -500c for about a week (or 2300c intake to lose fat tissue, 2800c -500).
Today, I want to eat at MT Line. This will allow me to consume an additional 500c than I haven't in the past week. To compensate, I know that if I ride my bike (I have studied the approximation science on the bike I have and the amount of calories burned dependent upon intensity and time in intensity,etc), I can burn approximately 300c in about 30 minutes (example only), thus bringing back my deficit and allowing to eat more.
This is one example among many, many, more.
Chillen
"Manipulating what one learns is powerful!"
With the previous post in mind, I want to add another mode of thought.
Most (not all of course) do not use the almighty power of "manipulating the king of kings: The Calorie".
Calorie manipulation can be a powerful tool to use to eat more and prevent hunger cravings.
Understand the energy IN versus energy OUT equation.
Learn it well. It can prevent you from experiencing hell, and have you check in the goal motel.
To manipulate calories one has to have a good understanding of:
1. There personal MT Line,, along with the deficit/surplus target in mind (with associated activities per day understood)
2. Calories burned during certain exercises (education is vital)
3. Confine calories within a 24 hour period "that fits their lifestyle."
A breif and simple example application:
My MT Line is 2800c with my "current" workout and other activities factored in. I have been running deficits of about -500c for about a week (or 2300c intake to lose fat tissue, 2800c -500).
Today, I want to eat at MT Line. This will allow me to consume an additional 500c than I haven't in the past week. To compensate, I know that if I ride my bike (I have studied the approximation science on the bike I have and the amount of calories burned dependent upon intensity and time in intensity,etc), I can burn approximately 300c in about 30 minutes (example only), thus bringing back my deficit and allowing to eat more.
This is one example among many, many, more.
Chillen
I would love to post an indepth writing on the powerful tools that can be used when one tracks their diet and training correctly, and bring forth the power it possesses to:
1. Combat cravings
2. Be allowed to eat more and keep deficits
3. Assist to prevent plateaus, and to pinpoint when plateaus begin and have tools to work with to find a solution within the diet and fitness data.
4. and many more.
Manipulating calories Vs. fitness training data can be a powerful tool IF one knows how to use it.
Tracking diet is severely underestimated, sometimes, in my opinion. It can be very useful for a individual person. Its the "primary" key to my personal success.
Its basically WORKING WITH THE KNOWLEDGE you obtained to your personal goal advantage.
I would be more than happy to write it. Just say so.
Best regards,
Chillen
1. Combat cravings
2. Be allowed to eat more and keep deficits
3. Assist to prevent plateaus, and to pinpoint when plateaus begin and have tools to work with to find a solution within the diet and fitness data.
4. and many more.
Manipulating calories Vs. fitness training data can be a powerful tool IF one knows how to use it.
Tracking diet is severely underestimated, sometimes, in my opinion. It can be very useful for a individual person. Its the "primary" key to my personal success.
Its basically WORKING WITH THE KNOWLEDGE you obtained to your personal goal advantage.
Anyone want me to write a post on this?
I would be more than happy to write it. Just say so.
Best regards,
Chillen
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BSL, why dont you start your own journal. Im curious on the structuring on your diet and the "normal" curcumference of your training. One thing is for certain you are not lacking energy and motivation! ROCK ON with that, young man!
THIS IS GOOD! I ask about your diet and rest.
Its one thing to get all spunky and energetic, and it another not having the diet properly proportional--EVEN DEFICITING to lose fat tissue and/or not giving proper days of rest. This can lead to burn out, eventual fatigue, continual body break down, can eventually wear you down and cause your personal candle to burn out. This we dont want to happen.
How about a journal so ALL of us can take a look at things?
Chillen
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To be completely honest, when I play video games I never get hungry. If I wanted to I could probably play for 6 hours and not get hungry. It's weird how it just completely takes your mind of hunger. I will probably use this tactic a lot.
Thank you so much Chillen! Your the man!
I would love to read your thoughts on this... all of those subjects interest me and would be helpful to me...
Your welcome!
I would love to read your thoughts on this... all of those subjects interest me and would be helpful to me...
I will write it up then!
Just for you and others that may benefit!
ROCK on!
Chillen
Good for you, young man!
When I started dieting and training, I "anticipated" problems coming up. Why? Because its just a fact of life. We encounter them and just like in life we have to adapt and overcome.
So, with this in mind, I wanted the tools and data to "work with" to allow me to have a foundation to "work from" to make improvements, "when" complications come up during diet and fitness training. THIS IS SMART.
Having a comprehensive diet structure (tracking diet data) along with a fitness structure (tracking weight, reps, sets, etc) in addition to a mental log, does this very thing--for me. This is the very KEY to my success and dealing with problems.
ROCK ON!
Chillen
Wow, what an amazing thread. Chillen is really an inspiration.
I have been studying motivation for the past few months now, basically because I demand an improvement in my life, and refuse to stay the same.
Before I go into my own personal thoughts about the topic of motivation, and my own troubles, I think I will try and describe what I believe motivation is.
Pretty much everyone you talk to wants motivation. Everyone goes on endlessly how they have no energy, feel lazy and undiciplined, and really wished they were motivated. I used to be one of them, until I started researching what motivation really is.
I actually have a 500 page journal based exclusivly on my own journey into understanding motivation, because I believe you can't change or manipulate something without first understanding what it is you wish to manipulate.
From what I have seen and experienced in my own journey of self improvement, motivation ISN'T something you can "get". Everyone is motivated. Even the most self destructive, lazy, negative person in the world is motivated in different directions. I almost had a seizure when this thought of "motivational direction" went through my mind. I wrote 20 pages in less than an hr about it.
Instead of thinking within the context of "has" or "hasn't", i moved into the context of direction. Perhaps everyone is ALREADY MOTIVATED, perhaps the endless persuit of "obtaining" motivation is a wasted effort better spent controlling the DIRECTION.
After thinking about the concept of direction, I tried thinking about why we would choose one inheriently unhealthy direction over an obviously healthy direction. For example, sitting on the coach, inhaling 4x our bodyweight of chocolate and beer while we watch tv, vs going for a ball breaking fartlek run.
Enter another near seizure inducing epithany. We do it because we WANT to.
If you ask anyone "Why" are you doing that, they usually say "Because I want to". I thought back to when I was a kid and my parents asked me why I wasn't doing my homework, and I would say "I dont want to". Now that I'm an articulate adult, I usually conjure up some flashy excuse to make the other person AND myself feel better, but really its just masking the fact that I dont want to.
This realisation came to me while I was attempting to quit smoking. I kept trying EVERY single day, and failed within a few hrs. I really thought I genuarly wanted to quit, but as soon as a few cravings came, I broke. I beat myself up and tried the next day to fail again.
I was talking to my friend to manage to quit, and he told me you "HAVE TO WANT TO QUIT". While this is the usual thing ex smokers say to smokers, the way he said it really sunk in. Maybe I did want to quit, but not enough. Sure, the desire was enough to attempt it, even though I had failed so many times, but it wasn't enough to combat my subconcious mind attacking my resolve with cravings.
I went home and pulled out my trusty journal. I then listed EVERY reason why I wanted to quit smoking.
For example:
Money
Health
Social (Smelling like smoke, people dont like smokers)
Free of cravings
etc
I tried quiting again and failed again, but this time I completed a day. I analysed my list again, and realised it didn't mean that much to me. I felt like quiting after reading it, but there wasn't any real emotion there.
EMOTION i found is the most powerful thing when it comes to motivation.
I re wrote my list, but instead of 1 word reasons, I wrote paragraphs. I injected as many emotions I could into it. Feelings of pride, accomplishment, feelings of feeling clean, health and freedom.
For example:
Breathing and Lung Cappacity: I want to quit smoking because after quiting, my lung capacity will SKY ROCKET!. I have never felt a "normal" lung capacity before. Imagine how that feels. Your WHOLE lungs taking in big clean breaths of fresh air, your newly healed sinuses and taste buds smell the gorgeous clean air, and feeling it absorbed and sent around your body properly. Only a few breaths making me feel alret, but relaxed, energised but focused. Better than any high nicotine can give me. Imagine being able to run, non stop, for 1 hr without stopping to throw up on the side of the road, seeing people watching me "trying" to run and laughing at how pathetic I am. I will be running easily, breathing the clean air and people will drive past in awe at my dedication and fitness.
I had over 10 pages of paragraphs like this. After I wrote it, and re read them 2 times, I was so excited I could barely sleep. The inner voice that was usually quiet was so loud it blew away any cravings I had. Seriously try the above with a goal you are trying to attain and reap the rewards.
Focus
I really REALLY believe that what we focus on throughtout the day is what we get. The human mind can only focus on 7 (approx) things, it blocks everything else out for review later. If you are thinking negativly, your brain will focus on all the negativity and block out the many positive things around you.
I remember having a class about "The Alamo". I seriously had never heard of this before. That day, I heard 4 people saying "Remember the Alamo", I played my favourite computer game and they referenced it several times. It wasn't that anything had changed in the world, but rather my brain tuned in to the thing I was thinking about.
If you are thinking about investing your money, you will start seeing more and more opportunites that you would never of seen before. Focus is key to everything.
Being "Motivated" makes you feel EXCITED, and ENERGETIC. Throughout this thread people have remarked about Chillen's HIGH energy. Being motivated does this to you. Look at the way Chillen describes things, he uses highly energised words and positivity.
Now we come to the end of my own experience with studying motivation. I have only been researching this topic for a few months, so I am no where near Chillen's level.
My main problem at the moment is maintaining the positive motivation and drive I feel for the first few days into the long term. Perhaps Chillen, or other members can help me in this area. I am at the start of my journey, and my god am I pumped to change. The only problem is that I am incredibly inpatient. I realise that everything worth having requires consistent effort, but consistent effort, unfortunatly, is my biggest problem atm.
Oh, btw, I have been smoke free for 2 weeks and counting.
I have been studying motivation for the past few months now, basically because I demand an improvement in my life, and refuse to stay the same.
Before I go into my own personal thoughts about the topic of motivation, and my own troubles, I think I will try and describe what I believe motivation is.
Pretty much everyone you talk to wants motivation. Everyone goes on endlessly how they have no energy, feel lazy and undiciplined, and really wished they were motivated. I used to be one of them, until I started researching what motivation really is.
I actually have a 500 page journal based exclusivly on my own journey into understanding motivation, because I believe you can't change or manipulate something without first understanding what it is you wish to manipulate.
From what I have seen and experienced in my own journey of self improvement, motivation ISN'T something you can "get". Everyone is motivated. Even the most self destructive, lazy, negative person in the world is motivated in different directions. I almost had a seizure when this thought of "motivational direction" went through my mind. I wrote 20 pages in less than an hr about it
. Instead of thinking within the context of "has" or "hasn't", i moved into the context of direction. Perhaps everyone is ALREADY MOTIVATED, perhaps the endless persuit of "obtaining" motivation is a wasted effort better spent controlling the DIRECTION.
After thinking about the concept of direction, I tried thinking about why we would choose one inheriently unhealthy direction over an obviously healthy direction. For example, sitting on the coach, inhaling 4x our bodyweight of chocolate and beer while we watch tv, vs going for a ball breaking fartlek run.
Enter another near seizure inducing epithany. We do it because we WANT to.
If you ask anyone "Why" are you doing that, they usually say "Because I want to". I thought back to when I was a kid and my parents asked me why I wasn't doing my homework, and I would say "I dont want to". Now that I'm an articulate adult, I usually conjure up some flashy excuse to make the other person AND myself feel better, but really its just masking the fact that I dont want to.
This realisation came to me while I was attempting to quit smoking. I kept trying EVERY single day, and failed within a few hrs. I really thought I genuarly wanted to quit, but as soon as a few cravings came, I broke. I beat myself up and tried the next day to fail again.
I was talking to my friend to manage to quit, and he told me you "HAVE TO WANT TO QUIT". While this is the usual thing ex smokers say to smokers, the way he said it really sunk in. Maybe I did want to quit, but not enough. Sure, the desire was enough to attempt it, even though I had failed so many times, but it wasn't enough to combat my subconcious mind attacking my resolve with cravings.
I went home and pulled out my trusty journal. I then listed EVERY reason why I wanted to quit smoking.
For example:
Money
Health
Social (Smelling like smoke, people dont like smokers)
Free of cravings
etc
I tried quiting again and failed again, but this time I completed a day. I analysed my list again, and realised it didn't mean that much to me. I felt like quiting after reading it, but there wasn't any real emotion there.
EMOTION i found is the most powerful thing when it comes to motivation.
I re wrote my list, but instead of 1 word reasons, I wrote paragraphs. I injected as many emotions I could into it. Feelings of pride, accomplishment, feelings of feeling clean, health and freedom.
For example:
Breathing and Lung Cappacity: I want to quit smoking because after quiting, my lung capacity will SKY ROCKET!. I have never felt a "normal" lung capacity before. Imagine how that feels. Your WHOLE lungs taking in big clean breaths of fresh air, your newly healed sinuses and taste buds smell the gorgeous clean air, and feeling it absorbed and sent around your body properly. Only a few breaths making me feel alret, but relaxed, energised but focused. Better than any high nicotine can give me. Imagine being able to run, non stop, for 1 hr without stopping to throw up on the side of the road, seeing people watching me "trying" to run and laughing at how pathetic I am. I will be running easily, breathing the clean air and people will drive past in awe at my dedication and fitness.
I had over 10 pages of paragraphs like this. After I wrote it, and re read them 2 times, I was so excited I could barely sleep. The inner voice that was usually quiet was so loud it blew away any cravings I had. Seriously try the above with a goal you are trying to attain and reap the rewards.
Focus
I really REALLY believe that what we focus on throughtout the day is what we get. The human mind can only focus on 7 (approx) things, it blocks everything else out for review later. If you are thinking negativly, your brain will focus on all the negativity and block out the many positive things around you.
I remember having a class about "The Alamo". I seriously had never heard of this before. That day, I heard 4 people saying "Remember the Alamo", I played my favourite computer game and they referenced it several times. It wasn't that anything had changed in the world, but rather my brain tuned in to the thing I was thinking about.
If you are thinking about investing your money, you will start seeing more and more opportunites that you would never of seen before. Focus is key to everything.
Being "Motivated" makes you feel EXCITED, and ENERGETIC. Throughout this thread people have remarked about Chillen's HIGH energy. Being motivated does this to you. Look at the way Chillen describes things, he uses highly energised words and positivity.
Now we come to the end of my own experience with studying motivation. I have only been researching this topic for a few months, so I am no where near Chillen's level.
My main problem at the moment is maintaining the positive motivation and drive I feel for the first few days into the long term. Perhaps Chillen, or other members can help me in this area. I am at the start of my journey, and my god am I pumped to change. The only problem is that I am incredibly inpatient. I realise that everything worth having requires consistent effort, but consistent effort, unfortunatly, is my biggest problem atm.
Oh, btw, I have been smoke free for 2 weeks and counting.
Okay, I haven't finished yet . I think I better start another post before I hit the character limit.
When I first got back from Thailand, I was so upset to have left. All I thought about all day was going back, all I talked about was the amazing things I did there, and all I dreamt about was being back at my Muay Thai camp with all the lads.
I borrowed most of my money before I went. I was pretty depressed before I went, 1 year of doing nothing but sitting at home and drinking too much, before working half assed at a crappy job I hated, I spent every cent I earnt on cigarettes and alcohol. I borrowed the money and got away because I knew I needed something drastic to help me change and get out of my hole. Nothing like going to train the most brutal ma, in the country that spawned it, with the world champions for 2 months. I had a few years experience training Muay Thai and really enjoyed it.
I came back with 10k debt, but I was positive. I KNEW i could pay off the debt, save up the 10k I needed to go back in very little time.
I started applying for jobs. I applied for nearly 10 a day, I was driven and highly motivated. I got interviews and rejections, but I NEVER felt down. I got a great interview with a well respected bank and they gave me a job. It was a basic entry level job as I didn't have any tertiary education or real world experience.
The job was actually pretty mindless, and people at the company asked me how I could do it without going mad. I have no idea. I did 12 hrs a DAY. I even started looking for a 2nd job on the weekend. I was getting up at 4am, starting work at 6am and working through till 8pm. I woke up and did it again.
I completly paid off my debts in 3 months and felt great.
Then the positive motivation started to fade. I started going out and socialised too much, drinking more again and spending nearly all my money going out with girls.
I started to hate my job, dreading going back. I asked to be moved out of my team and was put in a slightly more interesting one. Still, I found every hr there hell. My contract finally expired (I got a contract job so I could go back to Thailand without having a resignation after only a few months on my resume). They offered me a renewal and I turned it down. I instead choose to look for an easier, higher paying, more interesting job.
Why did I go from working like a maniac and earning over $1k a week, to working only the minimum and spending all my money on booze and women? Where did my energy and enthusiasm go!?!?! I have no idea, and that is exactly what I'm currently analysing.
I am currently unemployed, looking for a new contract. The other good thing about my last job was the experience it gave me in a high end bank. Being so young, I'm pretty much the only person I know at my age who has done so much after school.
2 recruitment consultants are currently finding me a job, and after I land one, its time to save up the $10k to get back to Thailand. I really need to get the positive motivation back that I had previously. I dont know how to maintain it though. I can make myself exited for a few days, but thats not enough unless they pay me $3k a day.
. I think I better start another post before I hit the character limit.When I first got back from Thailand, I was so upset to have left. All I thought about all day was going back, all I talked about was the amazing things I did there, and all I dreamt about was being back at my Muay Thai camp with all the lads.
I borrowed most of my money before I went. I was pretty depressed before I went, 1 year of doing nothing but sitting at home and drinking too much, before working half assed at a crappy job I hated, I spent every cent I earnt on cigarettes and alcohol. I borrowed the money and got away because I knew I needed something drastic to help me change and get out of my hole. Nothing like going to train the most brutal ma, in the country that spawned it, with the world champions for 2 months
. I had a few years experience training Muay Thai and really enjoyed it. I came back with 10k debt, but I was positive. I KNEW i could pay off the debt, save up the 10k I needed to go back in very little time.
I started applying for jobs. I applied for nearly 10 a day, I was driven and highly motivated. I got interviews and rejections, but I NEVER felt down. I got a great interview with a well respected bank and they gave me a job. It was a basic entry level job as I didn't have any tertiary education or real world experience.
The job was actually pretty mindless, and people at the company asked me how I could do it without going mad. I have no idea. I did 12 hrs a DAY. I even started looking for a 2nd job on the weekend. I was getting up at 4am, starting work at 6am and working through till 8pm. I woke up and did it again.
I completly paid off my debts in 3 months and felt great.
Then the positive motivation started to fade. I started going out and socialised too much, drinking more again and spending nearly all my money going out with girls.
I started to hate my job, dreading going back. I asked to be moved out of my team and was put in a slightly more interesting one. Still, I found every hr there hell. My contract finally expired (I got a contract job so I could go back to Thailand without having a resignation after only a few months on my resume). They offered me a renewal and I turned it down. I instead choose to look for an easier, higher paying, more interesting job.
Why did I go from working like a maniac and earning over $1k a week, to working only the minimum and spending all my money on booze and women? Where did my energy and enthusiasm go!?!?! I have no idea, and that is exactly what I'm currently analysing.
I am currently unemployed, looking for a new contract. The other good thing about my last job was the experience it gave me in a high end bank. Being so young, I'm pretty much the only person I know at my age who has done so much after school.
2 recruitment consultants are currently finding me a job, and after I land one, its time to save up the $10k to get back to Thailand. I really need to get the positive motivation back that I had previously. I dont know how to maintain it though. I can make myself exited for a few days, but thats not enough unless they pay me $3k a day
.Chillen's Family Run
One mile for each year of Military service that my Wife's Father and my Sons' Grandfather served.
My Family suprised me a few days ago wanting to go out and run. I was estatic and we had a very good time.
It bubbles my heart that we have decided to go on fitness runs twice per week and dedicate the entire year to my wifes father who passed away on January 13th. I truly have a family with an enriched heart.
What's important to me is that it was my sons that had the idea and were the ones that were priming the family idea. I have raised two boys with a spunky and energetic but soft spirit. (Who would of THUNK IT!) HEHEE
I have included some photos (I made a previous post, and the photo's were far too big), but I got them smaller now.
The photos are as follows:
My son Dustin (22), Pic 1, my son Quentin (19), Pic 2, and my wife Kathy (47 this month, and she is the one with Fiber Dysplacia, Lupus, and a blood disorder), Pics 3 and 4.
==========================================================
I was going to start a separate journal but decided to keep it in the COL. I am really going to enjoy this time with the family. Our goal is to "progressively" run one mile for every year her father was in the service, and dedicate this to him. I will post each time we run and my thoughts on them as we move along during the course of the year.
My Wife's Father is in Pic 5 on my John Deer riding lawn mower (passed away January 13th at our home after providing care for him for over one year).
Spartan I plan to respond to your post, young man. The electricty is running in your veins young man! I have been busy lately with work and other personal items, but will respond to your fantastic and enriching post!
EDIT: Currently the are scheduled for Wednesday's and Sunday's. ROCK ON!
Chillen
<<<<<< Chillen's Family Run>>>>>>
One mile for each year of Military service that my Wife's Father and my Sons' Grandfather served.
My Family suprised me a few days ago wanting to go out and run. I was estatic and we had a very good time.
It bubbles my heart that we have decided to go on fitness runs twice per week and dedicate the entire year to my wifes father who passed away on January 13th. I truly have a family with an enriched heart.
What's important to me is that it was my sons that had the idea and were the ones that were priming the family idea. I have raised two boys with a spunky and energetic but soft spirit. (Who would of THUNK IT!) HEHEE
I have included some photos (I made a previous post, and the photo's were far too big), but I got them smaller now.
The photos are as follows:
My son Dustin (22), Pic 1, my son Quentin (19), Pic 2, and my wife Kathy (47 this month, and she is the one with Fiber Dysplacia, Lupus, and a blood disorder), Pics 3 and 4.
==========================================================
I was going to start a separate journal but decided to keep it in the COL. I am really going to enjoy this time with the family. Our goal is to "progressively" run one mile for every year her father was in the service, and dedicate this to him. I will post each time we run and my thoughts on them as we move along during the course of the year.
My Wife's Father is in Pic 5 on my John Deer riding lawn mower (passed away January 13th at our home after providing care for him for over one year).
Spartan I plan to respond to your post, young man. The electricty is running in your veins young man! I have been busy lately with work and other personal items, but will respond to your fantastic and enriching post!
EDIT: Currently the are scheduled for Wednesday's and Sunday's. ROCK ON!
Chillen
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February 4th, 2008: Thoughts For the Day (1)
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.
And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”
(Paulo Coelho)
==========================================================
(Chillen)
What is uttered from the heart alone will be grown from this internal throne.
Its the place the spirit is flown and visibly shown and personally known.
(Chillen)
Look inside yourself for self screening it will reveal true meaning and bring personal cleaning.
==========================================================
Look, then, into thine heart, and write!
(Henry Wordsworth Longfellow)
Your heart has the seeds. Your spirit brings the needs. Feed the seed with the need and bring good deeds.
One who succeeds whithers the weeds
(Chillen)
==========================================================
The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.
(Vince Lombardi)
Encountering problems should never be a surprise. If you have the internal spirit; will yourself to be near it--anything you encounter can be overcome.
(Chillen)
==========================================================
==========================================================
My motivation and desire will never dim. As long as my heart keeps tappen this will never happen.
(Chillen)
My wishes for all of you are personal development and growth beyond your wildest expectations and beliefs.
The human spirit is never defeated it is only finished when it surrenders
Best wishes to all
Chillen
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.
And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.”
(Paulo Coelho)
==========================================================
“When Educating our minds we must educate our hearts"
(Chillen)
What is uttered from the heart alone will be grown from this internal throne.
Its the place the spirit is flown and visibly shown and personally known.
(Chillen)
Look inside yourself for self screening it will reveal true meaning and bring personal cleaning.
The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.
==========================================================
Look, then, into thine heart, and write!
(Henry Wordsworth Longfellow)
Your heart has the seeds. Your spirit brings the needs. Feed the seed with the need and bring good deeds.
One who succeeds whithers the weeds
(Chillen)
==========================================================
The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur.
(Vince Lombardi)
Encountering problems should never be a surprise. If you have the internal spirit; will yourself to be near it--anything you encounter can be overcome.
(Chillen)
==========================================================
==========================================================
My motivation and desire will never dim. As long as my heart keeps tappen this will never happen.
(Chillen)
My wishes for all of you are personal development and growth beyond your wildest expectations and beliefs.
The human spirit is never defeated it is only finished when it surrenders
Best wishes to all
Chillen
Last edited:
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