Dieting is Dead, Long Live the Diet

Millions of people around the world have endured the frustration of yoyo weight gains. Often extreme methods are used to achieve some target weight, but once attained the dieter relaxes and the pounds are quickly packed back on – usually with a few extra for good measure. After years of weight losses and gains self-esteem plummets and the towel is thrown in. “I’m just big-boned”. Dieting has failed again. Yet every living creature on the planet has a diet and those animals that eat their natural foods are generally healthy; obesity is certainly rare. Why is it so difficult for humans, supposedly clever and with highly developed brains, to match the natural health of other species? The answer is multifactorial and any sustainable solution addresses the issue Holistically in Body, Mind and Spirit. Will Power is certainly important to initiate change and to achieve a target but in itself is unsustainable. We want our efforts to provide lasting benefits without fear of regression and threat of disease. So let’s get clever about it and change our approach. As they say – ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’. So this is where we go ‘Back to the Future’ and look instead at how humans lived in antiquity; what they ate, what they thought and what higher purpose they chose to serve. From our dental construction and our digestive tract it is clear that humans are omnivores. Consuming animal proteins through wild game and fish probably gave us the evolutionary advantage of a relatively large brain mass. Sadly we have not yet learned to use it properly. We can eat meat, though we eat too much of it and we are certainly intended to eat vegetables but don’t eat nearly enough. In the last century we have drifted still further from our natural diet with the introduction of an entire industry serving us with edible products carefully formulated to create addiction and repeat purchase. Mentally we are controlled more than ever by media influences that effectively ‘dumb us down’ with a diet of soap TV and advertising that tells us what to think. We’re targeted as different market sectors yet encouraged to collectively ‘race to the bottom’ where only our most basic human instincts are held in common. Free thinking is viewed as subversive to the status quo. A fundamental curiosity pervades humanity. We have an innate desire for growth in understanding of our place in the universe and are driven to ask the big questions in life like ‘Why are we here?’. There are as many answers to that question as there are people on the planet yet there is a common reason that is revealed to us in unique ways; we are here to serve one another. In his 7 habits model Steven Covey described the journey of maturation from Dependence to Independence and finally Interdependence. It seems that Independence is only tolerated as far as it allows us to pay taxes, but true Interdependence is discouraged. It's too challenging to seek true harmony among mankind rather than divide into 'Them and Us' and seek to dominate. It’s too challenging to admit interdependence with our environment and to respect nature rather than simply exploiting it. This indifference is now causing mass species extinction as natural habitats are poisoned or destroyed. The coalmine canaries have died already. We’re just listening to recordings of how it used to be. So dieting to squeeze into tight jeans, a business suit or a black party dress can provide only temporary results and frustrating relapses. Only an honest appraisal of our behaviour, our patterns of thinking and our true vocations can provide an integrated and sustainable diet that will deliver lasting health – to ourselves, our families, our communities, our environment and ultimately our world.

Comic Heroes

Last week I watched the movie ‘King Arthur, Legend of the Sword’ in 3D. I love the ‘larger than life’ effects that 3D filming allows; they challenge our concept of reality. But, as the film progresses we quickly forget that we’re wearing the glasses; 3D becomes the norm. Also. I recently re-watched the Batman series and saw the new ‘Wonder-woman’ movie – escapism at its best. There is a common theme through all these movies – good triumphs over evil as in all Hollywood blockbusters but there’s more. Each of the heroes is on a mission in which they must fearlessly deploy their unique gifts to achieve their goals. Their mission is usually unknown to them at the outset but emerges in response to events. There is an important metaphysical interpretation of all these stories. We are all individual manifestations of the Divine, possessing infinite power, which is directed by our thoughts and beliefs. This same power, by which we are formed in the womb, by which the stars of the universe were created, by which nature has been brought to perfection, far surpasses the limitations of our mortal existence – the 2D version. Our challenge is to master our skills and be channelled by a higher purpose so that we can deploy them for the benefit of all. This is the stuff that makes really good organisations stand out. There is an inspired leadership which draws the best efforts of every employee in the service of the business as a whole. We’ve all heard of the NASA janitor who viewed his role as ‘helping to put a man on the moon’ How many of us are able to see the bigger picture in our daily toils? As a Health Coach I have come to understand that there are two essential components required for client success – - They have to want their health badly enough to rise to the challenge of lifestyle change - They have to believe that improved health is possible The manner of their discovery differs but the underlying themes are consistent. When we each become our own comic hero what appears magical and fantastic becomes our reality. We have the innate power to live inspired lives and to build a world which we’ll be proud to leave to future generations.

Drain the Swamp

Tonight I watched Leonardo Di Caprio’s 2016 documentary ‘Before The Flood’ about climate change. If it had been chilling it may have been useful but it was truly terrifying as it showed the gathering pace of global warming destruction to low lying regions across the planet. This evening we learn of President Trump’s decision to leave the Paris climate change accord with the claim that he must put the interests of the American people first. He wants to renegotiate an agreement that is fair to American businesses, citizens and tax-payers. Interestingly, his Rose Garden address did not deny that Climate change is happening, nor did he challenge the scientific consensus that our problems are man-made through excessive emissions of greenhouse gases. Without doubt, President Trump’s campaign slogan drew popular support, but the millions of American people who elected him to office could not have understood how deep the swamp is nor how many personnel of his administration are swimming in it. On this side of the Atlantic we struggle to understand how so many people can be duped and systematically poisoned through poor air quality, poor water and food quality while all the time believing that fortress America needs to increase military spending and to send its youth to die abroad. Quite literally these ‘Smoke Screen’ politics serve to distract attention from the practical steps that ordinary citizens can take to protect themselves, their families and societies by modifying their buying decisions at the supermarket each week and by campaigning against the erosion of civil liberties. As Di Caprio illustrated, individual health and global health are interlinked. Choosing to reduce our meat consumption by half would save us from excessive release of the Greenhouse Gas methane from livestock. It would also help to reduce rates of bowel cancer. Reducing our consumption of cooking oil could prevent continued destruction of rainforests in preparation for Palm Oil plantations. I enjoy breathing and I want that our planet can also breathe; but it’s easier with lungs. As ever, we elect politicians and abdicate our responsibility to them. Their shiny policies woo voters long enough to win office from where they can serve their own agendas and those who finance them. When their activities have fallen from favour we wring our hands and file our problems in the ‘too difficult’ bin. This belief in our helplessness is just as much an illusion as what we were sold during the election campaigns. When we live consciously with regard to our health, and that of the environment, we change our buying decisions. When enough of us do it we realise that we can drain the swamp for ourselves. Indeed, we’re the only ones who can.

You Will Know

Last year I decided to put my insomnia to good use. Remembering the Old Testament story of how Samuel responded to a call in the night, and his master realised that he was hearing the voice of God, I started to keep a notebook by my bedside to jot down ideas that came to me. Typically I might sit up in bed for 90 minutes writing whatever entered my head. In the mornings and often days afterward I’ve been amazed at what’s arrived. A regular favourite is planning how best to grow the community by spending millions won on the lottery. I return to sleep smiling and feeling great; thus I have all the pleasure of a win without any concerns that commonly accompany great wealth. For several years my primary passion has been for Health Protection and Disease Prevention. Deciding how best to spend my day requires that I’m pursuing this primary purpose. Most recently it’s been focused on learning the ways of Organic Agriculture and Permaculture schemes. This is totally synergistic with Health Coaching since I’ve come to realise that our health is directly related to the quality of the food we eat. A common coaching question is “What do you know today, that you’ll find out next year?” This is an invitation to listen to your inner voice. Each of us is guided with a unique mission just as an acorn becomes a tree. Our task, often very difficult in this busy and exploitative world, is to stay on task and get out of the way of our inner knowing. As each cell of the body has a unique function so too does every member of the human race. Where do your passions lie? What are your talents? What do you most enjoy? How can you make your best contribution to society? Be still and you will know.

Living Standards

As we approach the election the main parties are vying with each other to win our affections. All of them claim to support the best interests of the common man. From one side we hear that the National Health Service is under intense pressure and needs massive investment – tens of billions extra! From the other side comes a promise to improve the working conditions of ordinary people by imposing further requirements on employment contracts. Universally comes the cry that in real terms, disposable income is falling and that living standards can only be maintained by voting for their party. This time I’ve decided to buck the trend. First of all I recognise that I’m looking at life through a different lens than most. Every day I can climb, pain free, from my bed is a good day. Every day that I can avoid medication makes it better. Being of service to others and helping to heal our community tops it off. Then learning something more about chiropractic or naturopathy with their focus on Health Protection engages my grey matter and makes me potentially more useful. Enjoying robust good health, for the moment, makes me sad for the many who don’t. Zero hours contracts, hailed by some as the ultimate in flexible working practice, are certainly exploitative. But to me, the worst of all exploitation occurs when organisations profit from depriving people of their health, and governments, of all persuasions, ignore the root causes to focus instead on quick-fix patches that maintain the status quo. In truth we need a complete reassessment of our priorities. Health is Wealth and health is God’s gift. We can squander our health but we cannot buy it. Our best strategy is to protect it carefully in every area of life whether physical, mental or spiritual. We do this when we eat real food, engage in stretching mental activity and seek to build a better world by protecting the one we have. Some years ago I was hospitalised and underwent emergency surgery; the NHS saved my life. Only slowly however, did I start to realise that I’d scored an ‘own goal’. My illness resulted from a sick lifestyle – but one which I thought was better than good. I exercised hard and frequently and followed national guidelines on healthy eating with emphasis on whole grain breads, healthy vegetable oils, low cholesterol spreads and no saturated fats. Only when I was prescribed statin drugs and blood pressure medication, which I’d be on for life, did I stop to examine what was really going on. I’ve come to realise that ‘Living Standards’ has less to do with the pound in your pocket and more to do with the purpose in your life, the thoughts in your head and the food in your belly. Don’t let any political party short change you with promises they can’t keep. Instead, follow Ghandi’s example and ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’. Take personal responsibility for your health and be guided in your decision-making by asking how best we can protect the world’s resources for future generations.

Separation and Divorce

A commonly used coaching question is – “What do you know today that you’ll find out in a year’s time?” This is an invitation to use one’s intuition in our conscious life. It is not irrational to use all our senses, especially those from deep within that help us know right from wrong. Also, when explaining how coaching works, I often find it useful to consider the re-entry to the atmosphere of a vehicle from deep space. If it hits the atmosphere obliquely it might bounce off and be lost forever. If it comes in too steeply it burns up. Even when it comes in at the optimum angle things get so hot that communication is temporarily lost. Massive adjustment resulting from separation and divorce is difficult and usually very painful. Following the Brexit vote the UK and EU must now negotiate for their new reality. After a 40 year union it will be hard to pick apart the legislation that has governed our existence. Predictably, both sides are posturing and preparing for difficult talks. Within all the political parties in the UK there have always been rumblings of dissent about the EU. To some this reflects a lack of commitment. To others a justifiable response to an increasingly strident European Commission composed of non-elected bureaucrats. To those tuned in to an inner voice, the UK zeitgeist was clearly disengaging for some time under a sickening display of xenophobia. There are turbulent times ahead for all parties to the talks. Initially there may be brutal recriminations as hurts are expressed but maturity makes it clear that only a Win-Win mentality makes any sense. In sexist terms - as the ex-wife learns to change the engine oil or the ex-husband learns to cook, there are new skills to be gained and new accommodations to be made. In the heat of relationship meltdown it is inevitable that self-preservation kicks in. The UK and the EU are squaring up as do couples entering mediation or the divorce courts. But afterwards there is always great scope for growth. New perspectives open up new possibilities. Great pain can open minds like little else. As the modern day beatitudes put it – ‘Blessed are the broken, they let the light in’. Coaching sessions will seldom get fiery. The coach’s gig will be short lived if she becomes confrontational with her client. Rather the aim is to create a safe learning space for the client, wherein the only heat generated emanates from the client confronting the image he views in the mirror. The skilful coach will assist her client’s greatest learning and help him ride the rapids of change to emerge at a new level of consciousness when the heat subsides. He will consciously listen to his intuition and extend his sense perception creating new options, new outcomes and a richer life.

Gardening Leave

For as long as I can remember ‘Gardening Leave’ was a term used to describe the state of Limbo that surrounds an employee who’s been sacked on full pay while he / she awaits a review or formal settlement. It was usually accompanied by the immediate appointment of a successor – ‘The King is dead; long live the King!’ There’s often a mild embarrassment about the former employee who fell from favour and was excluded. Except in the case of a ‘public hanging’, speculation about the circumstances is discouraged; the business just wants to carry on with minimal disruption. Only recently have I started to imagine the benefits of this situation. Over the last two years I’ve volunteered at our local community garden. Now in April everything is coming alive as spring awakens hundreds of seeds and ‘weeds in wheels shoot long, lovely and lush.’ On arrival at the garden my everyday situation is suspended for a few hours while the work takes over. Wet or dry, inside or out, there are a thousand things to do. There is true nourishment here in the moment. Mentally I’m fully absorbed and Spiritually I can contemplate the perfection of nature and seek to work with it. Our harvest is a few months away. There’s a promise and a trust of physical nourishment in due course. To the displaced executive, or the jilted lover, there’s a non-judgemental, peaceful haven where she can gently come to terms with her new reality and recover. In time she may be able to extract some useful learning and awaken to new possibilities. Spiritual healing is as real as physical healing. When we create the right environment the body heals itself; so also does the soul. In the vast majority of cases medication is unnecessary. Mental anguish and emotional wounding heal naturally when we’ve cultivated a strong community to support us in our times of trial. This is our spiritual immune system; and just like the physical immune system we can take action to strengthen it. As we work together and eat together in the garden, so we grow together. We become conscious of the miracle of life that surrounds us. In our life outside the garden we must similarly invest in the family, friendships and relationships and become conscious of the miracle of Oneness that unites us. Today ‘Gardening Leave’ has a totally different meaning for me. Rather than a shameful fall from favour and exclusion, or an emotional battering from bereavement, this is a time for reflection and spiritual healing. Just as localised inflammation is an essential part of our physical immune system, our work in the garden provides a mental engagement to momentarily distract us from the spiritual wounding that we’ve suffered. The Irish wake system is a wonderful example of emotional inflammation in action. As news of a death spreads through the community, friends arrive from near and far to be with the family. The family in turn, busy with hosting duties, are shielded, if only briefly, from the impact of their loss. In the Christian tradition, as Lent draws to a close, we look forward to abundant new life. The darkest days are swept away by the promise of new beginnings. But as every gardener knows, each season brings its own challenges and the work is never done. So let us draw from the Light of Easter, the nourishment we need for our spiritual journey. And through our daily practice of prayer and meditation may we tend to the strengthening of our spiritual immune system. Gardening Leave was never so good.