NEW APPROACH TO DIET AND WEIGHT LOSS

Tell me more ...

  Articles by Shelby Grayson

Please send questions of general interest, on exercise and nutrition, to shelby@graysonimage.com

I will try to answer as many of them as I can in future articles.

Article Index:

  Diet and Exercise Changed My Life

  Qigong

  My Most Inspirational Client

I was not an active child. While I was never obese, I did tend to be on the chubby side. As I grew into adolescence, most of my weight seems to have settled in my hips and legs. I was rather pear shaped. I have always been very self-conscious about my short heavy legs. More than once, as I walked down the street, a man would call out "get a load of those lamb chops". I was always devastated by this remark, although one of my ex-boyfriends says he really misses, what he fondly refered to as, his security hams!

Then, in 1990, driven to the brink, by my latest yo-yo weight gain, I went to Nutra Systems. I made yet another commitment to lose weight. As it happened they also had a series of aerobic videos. As I dieted, using only their packaged foods, I also started to exercise with their tapes. I found that the combination was very productive and, dare I say it, almost fun.

At this time I was an Interior Designer, looking for a way to meet new clients. I wondered if networking in a health club setting might be the way to combine all of my interests.

Through a friend, I wound up talking to a trainer at the NY Athletic Club. He assumed that I wanted to do what he did, and launched into a lecture on my need to be certified if I intended to approach any of the better Health Clubs. As he recommended, I took the first of my many certifications, at Marymount Manhattan College.

I became so intrigued by the things I was learning, how the body moves, functions, and uses energy, that I decided I really wanted to be a personal trainer. In the process I seem to have become something of an athlete. I grew to enjoy the feeling of my body working. I took up Roller Blading, Yoga, and Tai Chi and low and behold, my lamb chop legs slimmed down. Men and women began to tell me that I had fabulous posture and a great body. And, I was not a young woman when this happened.

As to the weight loss, even with the exercise, the weight started to creep back on. This time I realized what the problem was. While I had dieted and lost weight, many times, it was always just a diet, I never actually changed my eating behavior enough to ensure that I would be able to keep my weight controlled.

It was only after becoming a life time member of Weight Watchers and really analyzing my behavior, with the feed back and support of my fellow travelers, that I finally found a way to remain at my goal weight.

I realized that I could help other people reach their lifestyle fitness goals, by giving them knowledge and support on a more concentrated, one to one, basis.

People usually come to me with many years of trying to lose weight and trying to exercise. They often have strong convictions about what diets work or don't work for them. I believe that it is more important for a person to take positive action about weight loss and exercise, than it is to force a particular system upon them. I encourage people to start their new journey, with the methods that they feel will work for them.

Each of us has a different body chemistry and psychological approach to diet. The important thing is to get started and notice the progress that is made by committing to a specific program. As we work together, I give my clients the support and nutritional information that they need to make behavioral changes. These changes allow them to adopt life long eating habits that will keep them at their goals.

In the same way, I look at the client's background, to find the modes of exercise that they will find enjoyable. Perhaps they used to love to dance, or play sports, or hike. If they cannot identify any kind of activity that they have enjoyed, we will just sample as many things as possible to find something they take to. They will only be able to adapt healthier life styles, if they find behaviors that they are willing to stick to and build upon.

I call my approach, "Diet and Exercise Reinforcement Training."

What is it and why should I do it?

Qigong is a system of exercise designed to keep you healthy and then some. It is the component of Chinese Medicine that you can learn and use on your own. You can use it to stay healthy, bring yourself back to health, and to improve your outlook on life. You may even use it to progress to a higher state of awareness in body, mind and spirit.

How does it do all of that?

The exercises are done slowly, as a moving meditation. They promote relaxation and reduce stress, which allows the mind and the body to work together rather than against each other. Your body naturally tries to maintain homeostasis, healthy balance, and given the opportunity your body will return to this condition.

What kind of improvements in health can I expect?

You can expect to lower your blood pressure, enhance your immune system and improve your balance, strength, flexibility, and patience. You will experience better blood circulation, more energy, and fewer ailments. With consistent practice, many disease conditions have been alleviated or completely cured.

If I start today, how long will it take before I master Qigong, & see results?

How long will it take for you to learn to relax? How long will it take for you to stop running the tapes of all your worries and what you want to have for dinner over and over in your head? With daily practice you will notice improvement in a few weeks in the areas of balance, flexibility and strength; for the rest the results will depend on your commitment, patience and perseverance. You will need to become absorbed in the daily practice. You will need to develop the discipline and concentration necessary to relax and continually bring yourself back into the moment and learn to experience the subtle feelings in your own body; when you can do this you will then want to let go of these sensations as well. Somewhere in this process you will begin to notice changes.

- but, if I really apply myself, how long will it take?

This question was once asked by a student, of his Chinese Master Teacher. The Master said "It may take 10 years." The student then asked:

- and if I were to put in the most effort I am capable off?

The Master replied "Well, then it might take 20 years".

Qigong is not about effort it is about learning to relax and let go. If you are able to put aside your timetable you will continue to benefit and grow stronger.

My client, a 54-year-old senior executive of a major New York corporation (who wishes to remain anonymous) was at his doctor's office. He commented on how well his doctor looked and what good shape he was in and asked him how he did it. His doctor told him that he had a personal trainer and he recommended me to him.

At the point when I first started with this man he had had leukemia for 17 years. He had been a death's door when he came to my client, the Oncologist who changed his treatment and gave him a new lease on life. He looked like a person who had been in bed for a year. He had skinny arms and legs, slumped shoulders, and a protruding belly. He had been completely sedentary and he really didn't even like the idea of having to exercise.

It seemed to me that his decision to commit to an exercise program showed a willingness to look at living instead of dying and was a tremendous break through for him, after so many years spent waiting for what seemed to be the inevitable. I was awed and very honored to be working with him. I the beginning he was very cynical (his sense of humor tends to that) and very wary of me. He had made a decision but he wasn't going to let anyone think he was enjoying it. When I touched him in the course of giving a correction he pulled away. When I told him that he had done something well he denied it. He questioned the exercises and their value. He seemed incredulous and then amazed at my excitement over his improvement. I am sure he thought I was a complete kook, but he had decided to do this thing so he put up with me.

He was embarrassed at first when he had to leave the room periodically because of stomach problems related to his illness. I always ask that my clients start by drinking water and continue to do so throughout the work out. He was resistant to this at first, saying he had already had his coffee. I explained that the coffee was in fact a diuretic and that it was not going to keep him hydrated. Also, with his particular problem it was even more important to drink water, as he was losing so much fluid. Over time he has gotten into the habit of drinking quite a bit of water. He refills his glass himself! I have noticed that his stomach problem has improved somewhat. I think he now has the coffee after I leave.

To be Specific, the program that we worked up to is twice a week, 20 minutes of Step, 20 minutes of floor work and 20 minutes of free weights.

After several months it became obvious that he was looking and feeling better. Though he would not admit to this, he did say he had obviously gotten stronger. After 9 months we reached a point in the training where he trusted my judgment and was willing to let me repeat the fitness tests of first meeting.

The results: His weight decreased from 185 lbs to 179lbs, but what was more impressive was that his body fat dropped from 29% to 20% in his first 9 months of working with me.

Well, he knew he had lost weight, after all, his pants were falling down! Slowly he switched form telling me how glad he was to see me leave, to wishing me a wonderful weekend. He took the time to tell me that he had to have all of his jackets altered because they did not fit the same way as they had last year. People had been telling him how well he looked; and he wondered if we could do more work on his triceps. He is my most conscientious client.

His wife works out regularly and really believes in exercise. She has been a great support system for him, encouraging him to continue and giving him positive feedback along the way. It hasn't been easy for him to get used to getting up an hour earlier to do something that he actually hated in the beginning. Positive reinforcement from family and friends is a real help in sticking to it.

My client's doctor says that I was the best thing he ever prescribed for him.

And how does my client feel about the benefits of exercise? Well, his feelings seem to be all tied up with a commitment to life itself.