Jimmy Moore's '30-In-30' Challenge

Welcome to Teeeeeeerrific Tuesday here at the "30-In-30" Low-Carb Weight Loss Challenge as we celebrate another victorious week in the battle of the bulge. Just being in the game and participating in the process of attempting weight loss is most of the battle, so CONGRATULATIONS for making the prudent decision to be a part of this exciting adventure and journey towards better health. I'm so proud of you all just for being here.

Today, I want to talk about the basics with you. Sometimes we get so caught up in the various complexities of an organized weight loss strategy that we totally forget what really works. Have you ever found yourself in this position? Sure you have and we all have. But constantly reminding yourself of what is most important will keep you on the pathway to the eventual weight loss success that you so desperately desire.

Do you remember that classic book that's been out for over two decades now called All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by that very wise and observant man named Robert Fulghum. I remember the first time I started reading some of the stories he shared in that book about how most of life and the lessons therein are actually taught to us in kindergarten.

But somewhere along the way, we lose sight of those very basic, but always crucial axioms about how to live. Is it because we feel so self-reliant as we get older that we don't feel the need to rely so heavily on conventional methods for living? Or are we all that ignorant that we feel like we can REALLY help ourselves? It's a good question to ponder in your own mind and the answer you come up with may explain why you are overweight or obese to begin with.

Think about it. Many children have a natural ability to just know what to do regarding their diet and don't have to think about calories, fat grams, or carbs. They just do what they do best and that's eat. They haven't been tainted by the allure of being thin, the peer pressure to look like a supermodel, or the insatiable desire to be so self-conscious about their weight that they don't eat for days.

Can I get a witness?

Nope! Instead, a child is more apt to simply listen to his body and take the appropriate actions to satisfy that very basic need to get rid of hunger and provide his body with the energy it needs. The last time I was skinny before my weight loss success on low-carb in 2004 was when I was a toothless, freckle-faced 4-year old with my hair sticking straight up in the back.

I pulled out an old school photo of myself from my baby book recently and was so mesmerized by the photo from when I was in kindergarten. How did I go from THAT skinny and healthy little boy and become this 410-pound behemoth monster of a man in the decades to come? It's elementary--I totally forgot all of the things I was doing at that time in my life to keep me thin (there's more to it than that, but you get the drift!).

So, what are some of the diet lessons we could learn from a kindergarten kid, hmmm? Let's take a look at just a few diet tips from a kindergartener:

- Have you ever noticed how kids at this age don't always clean their plate? That's because they only eat when the hunger pangs start and then stop eating once their hunger is satisfied. When hunger goes away, then it's time to stop eating no matter how much food is left and how many hungry children in Africa will starve tonight. :)

- Do you serve portions to your 5-year old like you do yourself? Of course not! You probably give that little one about one or two tablespoons of each food in their meal and amazingly that satisfies them. So why do adults like to pile it on high, especially at those most favorite of all restaurants--the buffet joint!!! Learn to eat the same kind of portions that your kid does and you'll find yourself eating less without even knowing it (which is what psychologist Dr. Brian Wansink was talking about in his book Mindless Eating).

- Children are more apt to want to eat many times throughout the day and not just three set meals as most of us have grown accustomed to. That's because they are listening to their body's natural physiological response to their caloric needs based on the amount of energy they expended and calories they consumed. Of course, they don't know that, but it happens naturally to regulate their metabolism. So, eat several small meals throughout the day, sometimes as many as 8-10 times per day, and keep your energy levels up and your weight down.

- One of the most natural things you see children do today is play. Whether it is jumping, running, skipping, kicking a rock, throwing their hands up in the air doing God knows what (LOL!), etc. Kids will be kids. And that's a good way to burn calories quickly! They don't need to join the gym for exercise because they make it a regular part of their day without a second thought. The adult equivalent to these things include playing a pickup game of basketball, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking as far away from the front door of Wal-Mart as you can, etc. These are "little" things in the grand scheme of things, but they really add up!

The examples of what a kindergarten kid does to keep fit are endless, but I think you get the picture. They just live life and don't worry about the ramifications of their innate desires and intentions. In the case of living healthy, that's a VERY good thing!

I look forward to hearing about how your week went concerning weight loss and your progress in the "30-In-30" Challenge. Have you told others about my challenge to help people lose 30 pounds in 30 weeks yet? If not, how about giving a big shout-out to someone this week and tell 'em about this goofball fella named Jimmy Moore who lost a buncha weight and is now helping others do the same. I'd REALLY appreciate it!

Do you eat like a kindergarten kid or an obsessive adult? Hmmm?

Labels: 30-in-30, challenge, diet, Jimmy Moore, kindergarten, obesity, weight loss