Dearest Trainwrecks

Dear trainwrecks:

     You've been at this weightloss blogging thing for some time now.  During the past 3-5 years since you've started your "journey" you've amassed a huge following.  You ignore all the tough love comments with actual real helpful tips and knowledge from those who have been there, dismissing them as "haters."   Rather you accept the pats on the head and mindless drivel from people that just discovered your blog and haven't had time to figure out that you are a fraud yet.  This of course is your preogative.  Your blog, you do what you want to do.  However, do not think for one second that you are fooling any one with half a brain.  Eventually, the ones with the encouragement will grow tired of your wheel spinning and take the path of tough love.  After offering advice that will bounce off your rubber skin repeatedly, soon, they will see the truth.  You are not ready to lose weight, or lose any more weight as the case may be. 

   There is nothing wrong with that.  Except for when you claim that you are "trying" and "ready" to lose weight.  Those are just words.  We want actions.  Actions are inspirational.  The people that are doing it, day in and day out.  Eating what works for them, drinking their water, kicking their asses at the gym THAT is inspiration.  Inspirational is NOT talking about what you are thinking about doing, whining about how hard it is to eat less calories, detailing workouts that are suitable for a 80 year old woman when you are a 30-40 something individual and "coming clean" about slipping off track. 

     So, I beg you to ask yourselves a few questions, really ask yourself.  If the answers to these questions are mostly "no" please do all of us a favor and get your head right before spewing your drivel under the pretense of "trying."
1) Are you willing to give up all your nutrient lacking favorite foods possibly forever (cake, cookies, etc.) to get to your goals?
2) Have you identified your trigger foods?
3) Have you found a way to sweat/burn calories that you enjoy and look forward to?
4) Do you understand (not just know) that the changes you make must be permenant changes?
5) Are you willing to ditch conventional nutrition advice and find out what works for you as an individual?
6) Have you lost any weight in the past month?

    Lastly, I'm going to say a few things that none of you trainwrecks will read.  Paraphrased- food can either be the best medicine, or the slowest form of poison.  Think about that for a minute.  By ingesting items with the sole goal of getting all your nutrients from real, nature made foods, it really takes the drama out of eating right.  There are excellent sources of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. that can be combined to form a diet that is satiating, lower in calories and higher in nutrients then the standard american USDA guidelines.  Do not waste your time eating things that have no nutrional value, how is that any different then flushing money down the toilet?  When you eat stuff that isn't providing you with anything, its like paying money and NOT GETTING ANYTHING.  Who does that?  

   I'll make it even EASIER for you- my 2 cents- if you want roughly 1,200 of the best calories that you can get, try eating this in a day, in no particular order:
2 eggs scrambled with 1 cup of nutrient rich veggies of your choice (broccoli, peppers, spinach, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, kale, cabbage, etc.)
1/2 an avocado (or equivalent in nuts, coconut oil, etc.)
2 chicken thighs (no skin) (or equivalent 4-6 oz serving- flank steak, pork loin)
2 cups lettuce (mixed greens, romaine, spinach) w/ 2 tbsps. homemade vinaigrette
1 chicken breast (6oz) (or equivalent 6oz serving- fish, ground turkey)
1 cup berries
1 cup of green veggies - broccoli, brussel sprouts, green beans, etc.
1 medium (6oz) yam (or alternating yam every other this with 1 cup 0% greek yogurt)

That is a lot of food.  That every single thing is contributing something.  I challenge someone that weights 220 pounds to feel hungry eating this, to feel like they are "missing out."  Boring?  Maybe.  Tasty?  It can be.  Healthy?  Absolutely.  So, here's the thing- if you are capable of eating this day in and day out forever, why aren't you?  If you are not capable of eating this day in and day out, you need to ask yourself why.  I believe the answer will tell you more about yourself than 3 years of blogging about "plans" and "being an inspiration" will ever do. 

Peace trainwrecks- I've got some sprints to run, some burpees to do, and maybe some handstand holds against a wall to perform, just for fun.