Ramblings of a Madman

Something I have been mulling over the last few weeks is that people generally don’t take their physical health seriously. This is one of the only things anyone truly has any control over, yet many choose to ignore it completely.

This has made society soft; not only physically, but mentally. So much of our biological processes are tied directly to the overall health of our bodies: testosterone, melatonin, serotonin, and dopamine. I’m sure I’m missing others; I think you understand.

This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a nice addition, and weight can have a major impact on everything from your cardiovascular system to your adrenal glands and insulin acceptance and resistance. It can also absolutely destroy your knees, hips, and ankles.

Burn those calories!

The simplest method of controlling your weight is by burning more calories than you take in. This guarantees weight loss. Calories are burned by everything you do: breathing, sleeping, eating, typing, and on and on. You can increase the amount of calories you burn by adding more intense exercise to your day.

Walking, running, weightlifting. All of these are as intense as you make them. They promote cardiovascular health and stimulate muscle growth. These are the basic things that can be incorporated into your lifestyle that impact your personal life.

I admit I’m no paragon of health; I have ignored my physical health and fitness for far too long. Having served in the Navy you would think I would have had a different outlook, as the military and fighting-age men and women should be the absolute pinnacles of this subject.

You don’t have to be chiseled

Plenty of military jobs that don’t require massive amounts of stamina or the body of a Greek god. Every job, however, requires a basic level of fitness. This is due to the high likelihood that you end up in a situation that requires you to be able to help not only yourself, but others as well.

Everyone in the Navy, for example, must be able to quickly
and safely get to damage control stations and don firefighting equipment. Mask,
SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), boots, gloves. If you can’t fit into
any of this equipment you are effectively dead weight.

Overall, life is just better when you’re physically fit. You heal quicker, things generally hurt less, you’re less likely to become feeble as you age. Moving around is easier, you sleep better, you have far more confidence.

This isn’t saying you need to be chiseled with well defined muscles. Having that amount of body fat is unhealthy, and bodybuilders and actors who need that look cut pretty much everything out in the leadup to their event. No food for days prior, very little water in the days leading up to the event that requires that form.

Don’t think too much.

I get it. The ease with which you can completely ignore your health is absolutely insane. It’s so easy to get lost in the throes of social media doomscrolling and just grab whatever the closest FDA approved “food” item is to shove it down your gullet while sitting on your couch watching whatever it is that currently has ahold of your already dwindling attention span.

Even doing something simple such as walking can seem daunting at first. You may end up asking yourself if you have the right clothes, or what the weather is like, or whether I need to carry a water bottle and what my route is.

It’s when you get lost in those questions and thoughts that gets you. Those types of questions get you in trouble with many aspects of your life, but those are topics for a later time.

I also understand that hormone imbalances exist. If this is your problem, then you should get with your doctor and figure it out. Being obese is one of the worst things that you can do for yourself. It causes myriad health issues, from heart disease to diabetes. And it absolutely kills your hips, knees, and ankles.

It really isn’t daunting to lose weight and take care of yourself; it takes a little time, patience, and dedication.

Pay attention!

Don’t diet. You’re almost guaranteed to fail. The only food items you should really cut back on are sugars and anything processed. Alongside that, increase your protein and fiber intake. Boom; there’s your diet. Now, if you want to try the Rock’s diet, go right on ahead. And good luck, because that man eats enough for about 6 people every day.

I cut out soda and sugared drinks first. I take my coffee black, my tea naturally flavored with little to no sugar, and it has helped me out immensely. It took a few months, but I dropped from 240-245 to 215 on a good day, and I still have more to lose.

I still eat pizza on occasion, but for the most part I try to limit the carbs; not entirely, as I have no desire to go full Keto. I also buy desserts and absolutely devour them pretty much immediately. No more alcohol; that’s just empty calories for what, a buzz that heightens whatever you’re already feeling and the possibility of slightly looser morals?

Buy the natural food. You don’t have to make anything elaborate; Chicken, Rice, and Broccoli are all really easy to cook and there’s a simple meal that is protein and fiber heavy while being extremely filling. And you don’t have to be afraid of the ten or so calories you can get from some seasoning.

Along with watching what you eat, intermittent fasting has been found to help you lose weight. Putting hard limits on when you start and finish eating can be extremely beneficial, as most people’s weight problems come from grazing between meals.

Find what works for you. Build the habits that lead to you not being soft.

Read. Write. Pray. Eat right. Train. Create. I’ll be touching on some of these other aspects in future articles.

Not doing all these things is what makes one soft. Giving into vices makes one soft. We should all strive to be the best versions of ourselves.

Note: Nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. If you have any questions, you should consult with your doctor and take their advice.