In this episode, we’re going to explore the concept of weight loss as described in Driving. Rangan Chatterjee’s book, “Feel Great, Lose Weight.” Driving. Chatterjee’s book focuses on maintaining a healthier lifestyle by improving our habits and emotional responses and by choosing quality food options. One important aspect we discussed is the need to shift away from processed foods and towards single-ingredient options. And let’s not forget the importance of home cooking!
We also talked about the significance of fiber in our diet and how it helps us feel full, reducing overeating. Mindful eating was another key concept we discussed, and I suggested drinking a glass of water before meals to help us feel fuller and reduce our portions.
He talks about time-restricted eating. It means limiting the hours during which we eat. This is a response to the modern availability of food at all hours, which is not how our bodies historically functioned. Sleep is also a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and we discussed how it affects our eating habits and the role of caffeine in disturbing our sleep patterns.
When it comes to exercise, He suggests seeing it as a way to feel more alive and energized rather than just a way to burn calories. We talked about how moderate exercise, like weightlifting, can help build muscle, which in turn burns more calories. And let’s not forget about fun and non-strenuous forms of exercise, like dancing, playing with pets, or simply being more active in daily life.
Finally, we talked about the importance of having a positive self-image and a healthy relationship with food. We shouldn’t use food to solve emotional problems or as a comfort mechanism. Instead, we should find other ways to deal with stress and emotions, such as connecting with people, joining clubs, or doing volunteer work. He concluded with a suggestion to eat until we are 80% full, as our bodies often register fullness only after we have overeaten.
January 2024
In this episode, we will explore the weight loss concept, as described in Dr. Rangan Chatterjee’s book, “Feel Great, Lose Weight.” According to Dr. Chatterjee, losing weight can be challenging not because of personal fault, but due to our environment. Our world is filled with calorie-rich foods and sedentary work, making it tough to battle societal norms and pressures.
Dr. Chatterjee further emphasizes that everyone is unique, which makes the weight loss process even more complicated. What works for one person may not work for another due to differences in body types, lifestyles, and metabolisms. Hence, finding a weight loss routine that suits our needs and circumstances is crucial.
He suggests that the goal should not be about conforming to societal standards of beauty, but rather feeling the best we can for ourselves. The book explores the idea of a ‘weight point,’ which suggests that our brains have a set point for our body weight. This means that our bodies maintain this set point, no matter how much we diet or exercise. Understanding and adjusting this weight point could be the key to sustainable weight loss.
He talks about food that hits our dopamine system which makes it hard to ignore even if we are full. The body, out of ancient systems, craves for us to eat certain things. If we fight against that urge and return our food to one simple food, our dopamine will reset back to normal, and we will lose some of the urge to overeat. We will hear our hunger/full signals again.
I delve into the concept of achieving our goals and creating our best life, drawing inspiration from the book “A Whole New You, Six Steps to Ignite Change for Your Best Life” by Bret Blumenthal. I discuss the importance of creating a mission statement, to guide our life’s goals. These mission statements can be about work, health, or other aspects of life and should reflect the qualities and characteristics we want to live by and the legacy we want to leave in the world. I then discuss the concept of a vision statement, a visual representation of our goals, like a vision board.
The next step in the process is to identify what we want to achieve and map the gap between where we are and where we want to be. This involves assessing our emotional and physical state and imagining what our ideal self would look like and feel like and how it would impact those around us and our activities. Having a flexible mindset during this stage is essential, as it allows us to adapt and find ways to make our goals happen. We should focus on our strengths and accomplishments and bury our past failures, only taking away the lessons we learned from them.
Throughout this process, it’s important to visualize our goals and recognize that we are the ones in control of our lives. We should create a vision statement or vision board representing our end goal, which could be something as simple as a collage of pictures from the internet. Sharing our goals with others can also be beneficial as they can provide support and encouragement. It’s also crucial to break down our goals into small, achievable tasks and to set specific start dates for each task. This way, we can keep track of our progress and stay accountable.
Finally, it’s crucial to acknowledge and reward ourselves when we progress towards our goals and to hold ourselves accountable. Accountability can be built through various means, such as having a workout partner, hiring a life coach, or even using a habit tracker like Streaks. Understanding how accountability works best for us can greatly increase our chances of achieving our goals. The challenge for you, the listener, is to come up with one small goal, write out a mission statement for it, and create a vision board or vision statement.
I’m diving deep into the topic of personal transformation with Brett Blumenthal’s book, A Whole New You: Six Steps to Ignite Change for Your Best Life. We’ll be discussing how incremental changes can lead to significant reinvention and how to recognize when change is needed, whether due to dissatisfaction or a natural transition in life.
One of the key takeaways from Blumenthal’s book is the importance of understanding what motivates us. By drilling down with the questions we can uncover the root issue that needs addressing. It’s also essential to distinguish between physical and emotional signs of needed change and to determine whether these issues are situational or ongoing.
I find Blumenthal’s emphasis on data to identify change patterns is particularly helpful. By tracking our progress, we can see how far we’ve come and what areas we still need to work on.
In the process of self-discovery, it’s crucial to recognize our strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Identifying what we love to do can drive positive change, while understanding our failures can help us learn and grow. Blumenthal emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and letting go of past failures, a point that deeply resonates with all of us. She also advises examining past experiences, like family dynamics or traumatic events, which might contribute to current struggles.
Remember, the journey to a brand new you begin with small steps and small changes. So, let’s take those steps together and see where they lead us.
Jill’s Links
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https://www.brettblumenthalstudio.com/brett-blumenthal-books-and-publications
Jill’s Links
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJill
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Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com
Today, I’ll discuss the 80s apocalypse movie “Night of the Comet.” In this movie, we follow two sisters, Regina and Samantha, who survive an event that turns most of the population into zombie-like creatures. We’ll explore the important apocalypse themes that this movie raises, such as trust, the importance of loved ones, and the need to establish a plan for rebuilding society.
I’ll be highlighting several lessons that we can learn from it. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of questioning information and not blindly trusting what others say even when they promise the North Pole (Christmas movie?). People in the movie were misled about the safety of the comet, leading to disastrous consequences. Secondly, the bond between the two sisters emphasizes the importance of finding and supporting loved ones during challenging times through sarcasm and shopping. Thirdly, the movie encourages the search for other survivors, as it brings together individuals who can provide support and companionship, mainly if they are cute boys. We’ll also discuss the need for defenses and strategies to protect oneself in a post-apocalyptic world, as seen in the 80s.
“Night of the Comet” is a cult classic combining horror, comedy, and 80s nostalgia. I invite you to ponder what rules and principles you would establish if you were to rebuild society after an apocalypse. Even at the end of the world, girls just want to have fuuuuun.