Slaying Dragons

Twenty five years ago I was fortunate to be a part of a special team that won the Ohio AA State Baseball Championship. Last week I received a phone message with an e-mail follow up from a hometown reporter who was writing a story of that championship trek. She wanted to ask some relevent questions regarding the experiences of several players during the spring of 1985. I woke up last Thursday morning to her e-mail and looked forward to reminiscing while I answered her queries.

Her first question stuck in my head for most of that Thursday:

"Describe to me in the best way possible what it feels like to win a state championship?"

My reply: "For me it didn't sink in until late in the summer. I really had no feeling at the time, other than it was suddenly over."

As I stated previously this question stayed with me for most of the day. In analyzing my response I concluded that in all the subsequent (post 1985) successes I have had in my life, that the joy I feel while experiencing these tasks really ends when I have accomplished whatever task I was seeking. I have already fast forwarded to the next dragon I am seeking to slay. You may have heard the old cliche "getting there is half the fun." I have a tendency to have most of my fun in "getting there" than enjoying whatever positive I was blessed enough to attain.

Yesterday I met with a client regarding a new nutrition program which they had ordered over the phone and were amped to follow for a month to kick start their weight loss task. Those that know me best know that one of my most stated sayings is "whatever blows your hair back". Meaning as a client I want you to have the freedom to choose what works for you; my job is to analyze the program and determine its' effectiveness and to keep you safe while doing it. Remember, different motivational styles and programs work for different people.

In discussing this program my client was emphatic in stating several times "once I get the weight off, then I can do...... (the next task that was on their list). I have a saying whenever I hear a client conduct themselves in this manner, another Czar-ism.....

"You are going from A to Z without experiencing B through Y"

Think about that clients' statement and search for the lack of completion. I am being exteremely hard and somewhat unfair to this person, but part of what I do daily is searching for the lack of purpose in statements like that one above. They are talking about reaching the goal before the goal is realized. This is a red flag, a no-no in my book of psychology. Also, it is why I do not believe in pound or kilo goals in most weight loss scenarios.

Weight loss and a state championship experiences are very similar. However, in winning a state championship you will always be that state champion. I am Mark Lehmkuhl, 1st Base, 1985 AA State Baseball Champion. With weight loss , if you are blessed to the point of experiencing the attainment of that pound "goal", you need to treat your new habits you cultivated as your new lifestyle. Your eating has changed to the point that to continue the maintenance of your new weight you must continue the habits that led to the attainment of that goal....for life.

With weight loss, your next dragon is your new lifestyle. Maintain it (your lifestyle) and you are slaying it.