Weighting for Happiness

At a statuesque 6’5, 250 pounds, Ted was the picture of health in his college football days. He worked out daily, spending hours in the weight room pumping iron, running to keep his cardiovascular health at its peak and yoga to keep his muscles stretched and his mind focused. He ate, as most athletes do, filling his body with massive amounts of carbohydrates for energy and lots of protein for good muscle growth and repair. Even though he also indulged in a good amount of junk food he was still the perfect specimen and the picture of health at the peak of his career. Now, at the age of 50, Ted sits and looks at pictures of that healthy, happy athlete and wonders how he ended up in the shape he’s in today. Weighing in at 380 pounds, hardly able to move and far from being the healthy, happy man he once was, Ted feels hopeless. He knows he has to make some changes but he has no clue as to how to begin the process. Ted is in need of a life coach, a personal trainer; someone to guide him in the right direction that will help him improve his quality of life, not only in his career but in his personal life and his mental well being. In helping Ted lose weight, increase his activity and improve his overall wellness, Ted will strengthen his sense of self-worth and again find happiness in his life.

The first step in Ted’s journey to a happy healthier life is to set weight loss goals. Short term, realistic weight loss goals that Ted can achieve one at a time and be successful. However, in order to do this Ted needs to “shed his old skin so that his new one can come through,” as stated by Campbell in The Power of Myth (1991). By changing his thought process that he can’t lose weight, Ted can cross the threshold and take an enormous step to his new life. Having a complete understanding that he needs to change the way he views food and nutrition is an important factor for Ted’s success. According to the American Fitness Association of America (2002), “All foods can fit...