I remember listening to Tony Robbins talk way back in my late teenage years.
I can’t remember the whole context of what he was saying, but he was talking about people and their tolerance levels.
He said some people begin to notice a dip in their banking account or income and they get busy finding ways to build it back up… while others let it fall apart completely.
I remember him saying the same thing about people and their weight. He said thin people pay attention to when their clothes start to get a bit tight and they do something about it, making minor corrections before things get out of control.
I was a gangly string bean of a teenager, so weight loss wasn’t a concern for me, but I liked his theory and it stuck with me.
I generally live a really healthy lifestyle, but occasionally my jeans can get uncomfortably tight.
When they do so, I have always done something about it…usually it’s a function of too much sitting at my desk, so I add more activity in.
I hit the gym or the path by my house with vigor… but it seems like that always wears me out in a hurry, I end up losing the few pounds, but also depleted and exhausted.
On the weekend I had the realization that I do these minor corrections from a space of self punishment. I decided to reframe my intention. I really want to nourish my body.
So I made some lists about all of the ways I nourish myself mentally, emotionally, financially and physically and how I nourish my spirit/soul.
The lists showed me the categories I haven’t been paying as much attention to (financial) and some that have been getting almost all of my attention (spirit/soul).
It was interesting to note the activities I do that fit in more than one category.
For example, walking is good for me physically, mentally and spiritually.
It’s a bit tricky to change my paradigm to go for a walk to nourish myself… I still find myself walking with determination to tone up, rather than to simply let the walking tend to my overall well being.
The best part of switching it up has been that I get more energy when I come from a place of nourishment rather than depleting myself coming from a place of punishment.
Intention really changes everything.
Are you punishing or nourishing yourself?