A Word of Encouragement

The advantage, some days, of living in a small town is that neighbors can be helpful when you are trying to do something like lose weight or exercise more. I am learning to ride a three wheeled cycle for physical therapy and those using the same street I do often tell me how much better I am getting. It is a lie, but it does make me feel like trying harder.

In our current times, it is sometimes easier to complain about or point out the fault of others than it is to say choose the right words that will make them feel better about themselves. As one of the blessed population that has to watch their weight, let me tell you that having someone harp on what is eaten or the exercise not done, DOES NOT PROVIDE MOTIVATION. Many of those who are overweight are stress eaters. The more stress one experiences, the more “comfort” food is eaten, which should be the opposite of the intent. With exercise, to be helpful, it must be done consistently and preferably daily, but it should also be fun, which is not accomplished when a loved one keeps nudging you on what you SHOULD have done or need to do. You know what they say about the use of “good intentions”; your good intentions can pave someone else’s road to Hell and vice versa.

I like the way that Sea World uses to train their whales and dolphins to perform. They find a desired, but natural act, that the creature does, like jumping for a dolphin, and, by small encouragements and reinforcements, the handlers can increase how often and when the dolphin jumps, turns and other things. The same works with people. Make someone feel good about what they are doing and they are more likely to repeat the behavior, such as choose a green smoothie over a milkshake ,or walk an extra block. Am I suggesting that by providing encouraging direction we are being “trained” by our friends and neighbors like the dolphins and whales? You bet, but isn’t that what we want -- to change an undesirable and/or harmful behavior? If we are rewarded every time that we do something healthier, we are more likely to continue ­that behavior. It should be noted that rewards should be non-food oriented for those trying to lose weight. Bringing home double chocolate fudge ice cream for the dieter is as helpful as bringing a fifth of Johnny Walker Red to an alcoholic.

Don’t like the idea that your behavior is being manipulated by someone else? Advertisements online and on the TV showing gooey pizzas and juicy hamburgers manipulate their viewing audience daily. No one rushes out for the cardboard pizza. We have all been trained, especially when it comes to food and exercise and not all of it has been for our benefit.

In short, if you want someone to lose weight, exercise, stop smoking or whatever, find something encouraging to say. It does help.