On Optimism

Beyond my own little take on optimism and pessimism in today's Provision, you may enjoy the following cartoon and perspective that comes from a blog by Rajesh Setty. Setty writes:

• "A pessimist will focus on at least ONE problem in the midst of all the available opportunities."
• "An optimist will focus on at least ONE opportunity in the middle of all the problems."
• "Paul Harvey said it right, 'I have never seen a monument erected to a pessimist'"

To view the cartoon, go to Setty's Blog.

Coaching Inquiries: What will you focus on today? Will you look for an opportunity or a problem? How can you take a more positive approach to life? Who can you recruit to be your buddy on the lookout for life?

If you would like to learn more about our Coaching Programs and to arrange for a complementary coaching session, Click Here or Email Us.

Obese & Healthy?

Perhaps you have heard about the report from researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y.: surprisingly large percentages of overweight and obese people normal metabolic indicators of heart risk while many normal-weight people have abnormal metabolic indicators. Those indicators included high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and low HDL or "good" cholesterol. Participants were considered metabolically healthy if they had none or one abnormality and metabolically abnormal if they had two or more abnormalities.

Studying 5,440 people, the researchers found that:

• About 23 percent of normal-weight adults were metabolically abnormal.
• About 51 percent of overweight adults were metabolically normal.
• About 31 percent obese adults were metabolically normal.

Normal-weight people with metabolic abnormalities tended to be older, less physically active and have larger waists than healthy normal-weight individuals. Obese people with no metabolic abnormalities were more likely to be younger, black, more physically active and have smaller waists than those with metabolic risk factors.

These data do not lead to the conclusion that one can be obese and healthy, since they say nothing about the percent of overweight and obese people who are physically active and exercising regularly. The percentage of both tend to go down as weight increases. Yet those two ingredients, physical activity and regular exercise, are the key to good health at any weight or Body Mass Index.

So find ways to get yourself moving! Don't focus on the "should" of activity and exercise; instead, focus on the "fun." Find things that you love to do, by yourself or with others, and then develop a pattern of pleasuring yourself regularly. You'll enjoy the practice as well as the benefits of health and wellness.

Coaching Inquiries: What's your pattern of activity and exercise? Is it regular? Is it fun? How could you make it more regular and fun? Who could become your partners on the journey?

If you would like to learn more about our Coaching Programs and to arrange for a complementary coaching session, Click Here or Email Us.

Eating On The Go

Nell Stephenson, a competitive athlete, personal trainer, and a health and nutrition consultant, posted the following five tips for healthy eating on the go in the most recent issue of The Paleo Diet Newsletter. Enjoy good health!

1. Keep hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for a source of quick protein. Have the egg whites and save the yolks for your dog to keep his coat shiny!

2. Chop up enough carrots, bell peppers, celery, broccoli or whatever other veggies you enjoy to last a few days and snack on those with a handful of raw walnuts (non- perishable, so keep 'em handy!) in the car, or at your desk between meetings.

3. Make it a priority to go grocery shopping two or three times per week. Don't let yourself run out of fresh fruits & veg. Turn grabbing a piece (or a few) of fruit before you leave home into a daily habit.

4. Keep it simple. If you've been keeping on top of your 'hour in the kitchen', you'll not be in short supply of fresh, healthy food that you've prepared yourself. Don't feel as though you have to spend tons of time cooking gourmet meals in order to keep on top of things.

5. Finally, don't be afraid to think outside of the standard foods for each meal. Who ever said that eggs are the only protein option for breakfast or that you can't combine something sweet (like an apple) with something savory (like a fresh piece of wild salmon). It may sound like an odd couple, but the point is that if you continue to try new foods and combinations, you're not going to get bored!

Coaching Inquiries: How do you get your daily allowance of fruits and vegetables? What provisions do you make so that healthy foods are on hand? How can you eat even more healthy in the future?

If you would like to learn more about our Coaching Programs and to arrange for a complementary coaching session, Click Here or Email Us.