Getting to the ROOTS of a Problem

First off, I was hesitant to use the word "problem" - rather, think of it as a tension that exists between where one IS and where one WANTS TO BE. Or, think of it as an obstacle to your "best".

This post from a Lean Eater today was so fantastic, I had to share. The research, reflection and self-work that this team and some individuals on this team specifically are doing is simply superb.

You will see she is breaking down the "problem" to its roots - which for her is sugar addiction. And she is then scoring herself in those areas. I personally love self assessment and assigning a score or number as it represents HOPE and GROWTH POTENTIAL! It is actually very motivating!



Here is her post:

Tony Robbins has this theory that when you have a problem, but it's an internal problem rather than an external problem, it's likely that you are in fact fabricating the problem because it somehow meets some of your basic human needs.

You're supposed to identify how your 'problem' is serving your needs and then identify how else you could serve those needs. Here goes:

1. Certainty
This is the need for security, comfort and consistency.

Eating sugary junk food serves my need for certainty on a level of about 7.5 out of 10 because I know exactly how my body will react and how it will make me feel (high, then numb). 7/10

2. Uncertainty
This is need for variety, challenges.

Trying and tasting new foods provides variety to my day, especially because I haven't eaten many of these unhealthy foods for years (though, most still all taste the same in the end!). 6/10

3. Significance
The need to feel important, needed, wanted and worthy of love.

Just having 'a problem' makes me more significant. My grandma watches in horror as I devour a whole packet of cookies one after the other, I tell my mom I don't have any control over myself and it's her responsibility not to expose me to junk food. I make special threads on this forum all about me and my problems and ask for attention and advice. 6/10

4. Love and Connection
The need for feeling connected with and loved by other human beings.

Maybe there's an element of that on this forum. Connecting by sharing this problem. 3/10

5. Growth
The need for constant development emotionally, intellectually and spiritually
By having this problem, I'm becoming more aware of my thoughts, feelings and actions in day to day life. 3/10

6. Contribution
Giving beyond ourselves and giving to others.

I'm also trying to share my experiences and advice here. As a personal trainer I hope that my experience with this 'problem' will help me to help others overcome similar difficulties in future.

Sexify your Plate!

Veggies get a bad rap! "Boring", "Yucky!", "Too much time to prepare!", "Not satisfying".


















I say, not at all true! Veggies are have the TRIPLE S FACTOR! They are simple, satisfying and sexy!

What? Sexy? You got it! When you look, feel and perform better - you get sexified!

They are loaded with nutrients, make your meals more flavourful, colourful and satisfying. Oh, we have another S-word! Success! Veggies also help you be successful with pretty much any and every health, fitness, longevity, wellness, weight loss, fat loss and performance goal.

LEARN TO LUST VEGGIES!

Coach Krista's Top 3 Veggies Sexification Tips

1) Practice! Were you born an amazing and confident lover? Everything takes practice including learning to love veggies. To get better at something and to allow the body to adapt (yes taste buds adapt), you simply have to get started and keep at it. Example: Make it a goal to get ONE more veggie a day and ONE new veggie a week.

2) Experiment. We get bored of the same old, same old - no matter how "in love" you are. Relationship or radishes - it applies equally. Ever roasted radishes? How about steaming them along with garlic and cauliflower and making a mash substitute? You get it. Get creative. Get excited!

3) Flavour flavour! Chocolate is meant for baking but it also heats up the bedroom. Garlic is not just for keeping vampires away. Adding flavourful, nutrient loaded veggies such as garlic, onions, ginger and fresh herbs can revive a lifeless meal and give it new mojo!

Meet Elev8 - Lean Eating MENTOR

Meet Desdamona - Lean Eating MENTOR

My name is Jennifer Bryan, and I am honored to have been chosen as one of your mentors. I first started Lean Eating in August of 2010 and then went through it again with the January, 2011 group. I wasn't a finalist in either group. I didn't win any of the prizes that would have brought my picture to your attention. You have no reason to know my name or who I am, yet you are my prize and truly the one that means the most to me. Again, I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to share this journey with you and hopefully help ease the way just a little bit.

Since you likely know little if anything about me, let me tell you a bit about who I am. I'm 38 years old, married with a 12-year-old golden retriever named Abbie and a 2-year-old German shepherd named Luna.

I work 12 hour night shifts in the emergency department between 10 and 12 shifts per month. On those days when I'm not working, I play hard--scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, taking pictures, going places in our motor home, or just spending every possible minute with my family. Every couple of months or so, I make the 600+ mile trip to the place where I grew up to visit my family there and take care of a few things with my aging mother. My history with food is sordid. I have been anorexic. I have weighed somewhere north of 220 pounds, afraid to weigh because I didn't want to see the real number. I have been afraid of food. Food has been my best friend. I love to move and love to be outside. Exercise and sunshine literally keep me sane, a lesson I learned in my late 20's. Unfortunately exercise and sunshine to do not keep the fat away. I make my home at the end of a one lane dirt road, my gym a trail through the property and some well-chosen equipment under the carport on our shop. I share these things with you in hopes that you will find some common ground in there somewhere and see that things aren't always easy for me, and my life is not perfect. What I have found with Precision Nutrition and Lean Eating is a way to manage the imperfections and come out healthier on the other side.

BEFORE LEAN EATING

During my first round of Lean Eating, which was at that point a six month program, I lost about 17 pounds. I spent that round learning again how to incorporate the eating habits that I already knew were best for me but had somehow had difficulty implementing. Losing the first pounds took a full three months of consistency, but the losing eventually came--when the believing came, when I began to overcome the obstacles in my mind. That round was about following the habits and believing in them. The second round was about following my heart and believing in myself. Having incorporated the habits and already believing in them, I was able to begin to believe in myself and begin to find the things in my life that were holding me back which in turn made the habits easier, the cravings less, living the habits something that just was instead of something at which I had to work. Right now this might seem like insanity to you, a bunch of touchy-feely hoodoo, but as the next year goes along, I encourage you to open your mind to the possibility that your nutrition might not be where you want it to be because there might just be parts of your life that are not where you want them to be. Then again, your nutrition might not be where you want it to be because you buy too much pie.

Regardless, I look forward to helping clear this path for you as you take this journey. Feel free to reach out via the messaging system or the forums with any questions you might have for me or if there is anything with which I can help you. Should you find yourself more curious about me, click on my screen name, then on "view public profile." You'll find lots of photos there of me, my girls, my gym, and my antics. And in my signature is a link to my log, my place for all the grisly details.

Best wishes, ladies!

We DID find some sunshine :-)

This shoot was particularly special to me for a few reasons.

1) I peaked right along with my Lean Eating ladies from Team Iron Phoenix.
2) The vision for the shoot was mine, creatively and I had alot of fun with hair (thanks to Lara!), accessories and clothing.
3) I didn't follow any strict photo shoot diet and this was not synced with a physique contest. This represents me - just being real... always aiming to unite strength and beauty ... yin and yang.

You can see "me" coming out through my eyes. And it really does help that my photographer is my love. He truly does bring out my best in all ways.

K