Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

I love this quote that I found today.

It reads:

The hardest thing when you think about focusing. You think focusing is about saying “Yes.” No. Focusing is about saying “No.” And when you say “No,” you piss off people.

• Steve Jobs

That is so true for me. When I focus on a project, I really feel like it’s saying “yes” to that project. It is, in some respects, but it is also saying “no” to other projects. Not only that, it’s CONTINUALLY saying “no” to other projects until you make your goal.

That’s how it is with losing weight. It’s not about saying “yes” to losing weight and living healthy. It’s about saying “no” over and over and over again. In fact, you find yourself saying “no” so many times that it begins to feel negative.

• Would you like a piece of pie?
• Would you like to go out drinking with us?
• Would you like to go to the movies?
• Would you like to blow off your workout?
• Would you like to take the rest of this home?
• Would you like to meet me for dinner?

There is nothing wrong with any of these questions. There is a time for pie (at least a tiny sliver) and a time for movies, but when those things interfere with your goal of losing weight and living healthy, then you have to say “no.”

There is another way to look at it, though. Every time you say “no” rephrase it as a “yes.”

• I would love that pie, but I have already eaten enough. Can you wrap me up a piece that I can take home? (Then throw it away in the nearest dumpster.)
• I’d like to go drinking, but I need to wake up early to workout. I’ve got a 5K to train for.
• I’d like to go to the movies, but I can’t handle all the popcorn and food there right now. How about we rent a DVD instead?
• I love my workouts and I don’t ever want to blow them off. Want to come with me?
• I would love to take that food home. (Then throw it away in the nearest dumpster.)
• I’d like to see you, but it’s too late for me to eat right now. Let’s meet up at the bookstore (library, park, skating rink, etc.) and see each other.

The truth is, you WILL piss some people off when you have to say “no.” They’re not used to you giving your health a priority. After years of doing it, however, things will be different. People will treat you differently.

• I know you don’t like pie right after dinner. Should I save you a piece to take home?
• We want to go out drinking. When is your rest day for your morning workouts? We’ll go the night before.
• Want to go to the movies? We can arrive right before it starts so there isn’t time for popcorn.
• Can I come with you on a workout this week?
• You probably don’t want this, do you? I didn’t think so. I’ll just save it for leftovers.
• Want to meet at the bookstore?

Then, you can say “yes” instead of “no.” Training our families to be respectful of our dreams is something that is very important on this journey and this is one way you can start doing it now.