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As
a natural bodybuilder, I have learned the importance of healthy living.
Most people make the assumption that a person with a developed physique
is less than intelligent. Not true! Think about it. Who has more
intelligence? A person who chooses to abuse their bodies with alcohol
and drugs and feeds it anything with no regard for its nutritional value
or a person who commits themselves each and every day to proper exercise
and diet? How many people do you know who speak negatively of a person
who looks "well developed" and fit? The reality is that natural
bodybuilders are a minority in a society that prides itself on living in
excess. Natural bodybuilders and fit conscious people are the most
misunderstood people around. Why? Because what we do is not easy.
Because what we do makes no sense whatsoever to the majority of the
population! If you have ever done it, you know exactly what I mean. Many
people see what we do as ridiculous!
Why
suffer through the day to day struggle with eating right when you can
eat that greasy, fat infested hamburger at the local fast food joint?
Why not drink the entire six pack of beer during the game? Waste not,
want not right? Many people actually believe this philosophy is normal.
Eating right and exercising regularly is not a struggle. It is a
matter of priority and can become as "normal" as you want it.
We
must change our definition of a normal existence. Is it normal to
overeat on every occasion possible? Is it normal to pollute our lungs
with massive amounts of carcinogenic smoke with warning labels telling
you that you could die from it? Is it okay to accept as normal the fact
that most companies provide two 15 minute smoke breaks throughout the
work day. However, those same companies frown upon those who would
rather have an extra 30 minutes during lunch to exercise?
I
remember I was told by someone in the gym once that I needed to get a
life. The person actually assumed that being in the gym and eating
properly was not living! Boy am I glad to have a strong mind and did not
let that deter me. I recently went on a cruise and, of course, one of
the main cruise attractions is the quantity and endless availability of
food! As a bodybuilder, and many may tell me that I'm the only one who
would think like this on a cruise, I found it very interesting that
passengers were required to specify, in advance, any special dietary
needs. The food "normally" served was high in saturated fat and high in
simple sugars. Why is that normal? Because that is how we have defined
"normal". With all the foods available, how hard would it be to provide
an alternate menu for fit conscious passengers?
In the
beginning, I found it very difficult to eat properly. I craved all the
bad things that I loved so dearly! Pasta, mmmm...spaghetti!! Bread,
yummy...garlic toast! High sugar cereal, yowwww...Fruit Loops with Sugar
Corn Pops! I failed miserably on several occasions trying to rid myself
of the uncontrollable urge to indulge in all those delicious foods. I
would rationalize by telling myself that, "I need to load some carbs" or
"One bad meal won't kill me". Problem was that when I had one bad meal,
I usually had a huge serving or one bad meal turned into two bad meals
which turned into three and so on... Also, I didn't realize the negative
effects of ingesting excessive simple carbs and fat! It was so easy to
lose control since I had "normally" eaten like this for as long as I
could remember. I knew nothing else.
 As
my interest in being fit became more important, primarily due to my
desire to be the best bodybuilder that I can be, I began to place more
attention on how I ate and what I ate. I read many articles in major
health and fitness magazines and the Web. I even went to the extent to
find the most current Glycemic Index (GI) chart. I was determined to
make eating properly a "normal" part of my life. It has been a constant
learning process and it has made me even more interested. Paying
attention to what I eat, how much I eat, and even when I eat has given
me many rewards! My energy level has increased substantially. My overall
muscular development has improved. My body fat percentage stays in a
very favorable range. I feel more confident and alive than ever! What
did it cost me? The only price was deciding to make fitness and
nutrition a priority in my life. I recommend that everyone try it! It
can't hurt right?
If you
decide to make eating properly a priority, please promise me one thing.
Promise me that you will commit to the plan and stick to it for about 6
months. What I will guarantee is that you will realize how easy and
normal it can be. Based on your goal and if you have selected that right
exercise and nutrition plan, you will make remarkable progress towards
achieving your desired success.
One of
the greatest benefits that I have found by committing to a
nutrition-filled diet for an extended time period is what I call, "Lower
Threshold of Gratification". This is an effect that occurs from the fact
that your body has adjusted to a new "normal" diet and requires very
little in the way of over-indulgence. For instance, I periodically have
that urge for "something extra". In the past, that "something extra" was
a piece of cake and/or pie and/or cookies and/or ice cream. After
maintaining a consistent and nutritionally balanced diet for a such
lengthy time, I can satisfy that urge with a simple bag of fat-free
popcorn! Thus, I have attained a much lower threshold of gratification!
Please remember, it only works if you have conditioned your mind and
body to its re-defined version of normalcy. That is what I call
"normally fit".
Before
closing, I want to express to each and every person who reads this that
change is a constant. We do, however, have the ability to control and
manipulate "change" to some degree. Deciding "what" to change must be
the initial focus. Next, it is important to discover "how" to change.
This is the most difficult and time consuming part. "Why" to change is
up to each of us to decide. Don't let the "why" be a result of bad news
from your physician! "When" to change is again up to each of us.
Again,
thanks for reading and remember this...
"Never regret yesterday because it cannot
be changed;
Instead make sure today does not become a regret of tomorrow."
--- Steven Jacoby
Delbert
Natural
Bodybuilding at its Finest - Lift for Life.com
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