Thursday, October 30, 2008

WHEN IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE?

There is no better time than NOW! Does that sound cliché’, it might but sometimes the simplest. the obvious… is the best!

People have emailed me and often have asked, “Mike, how did you know, when the time was right”? “When do you start? I think I will start tomorrow”? They will say.

Well in my experience, those tomorrows rarely start 24 hours from then. Usually they start a week later, a month later, several months later and often 20, 50 or 100 pounds later. Therefore, the battle is that much more difficult, the guilt is that much deeper and our health is that much more at risk.

When is the time for change? Well when the change that one is thinking about is taking care of themselves, eating healthier, doing more physical activity for the betterment of their lives, then what better time is there than NOW!

What is the delay? Oh, I have said it all and rationalized it all to myself, and others. Things such as, “I have been eating terrible all day, so I will start tomorrow. Before I begin I have to first eat some of my favorite cake, or pizza etc”. What about this one, “oh the holidays are coming (next month), I will start after them”.

Do I have to tell anyone how much damage I can do to myself from now until the holidays, do not even ask! These are just excuses that I have used. What I should have said in the past was, “I am not ready yet. I am scared! I do not have the faith in myself. I do not have the strength right now to try again”! At least these would have been more honest. At least with those answers there would be a little less guilt attached.

When is the right time for the battle of your lifetime? Well, if we wait, for every “duck” to be in line, and for “the moon to be in the seventh house”, then for Jupiter to align with Mars. If we wait, for the sun to be shinning, and for everything to be just “perfect”, before we begin dieting, well, and then guess what? We might as well take those first three letters in the word “Diet” …because that is what is going to happen a lot sooner. We cannot wait no longer! NOW is the time!

The truth is we can take this philosophy of “NOW” and apply to many things in our lives and not just eating healthier. Sometimes as human beings, we think things out tooooo long!

Do not get me wrong, the thought process is a good one, it is healthy and necessary but we have to know when we have to stop thinking and begin doing!

When, it comes to our health and making changes in our life, our lifestyle, and our eating habits, etc: The time when we are thinking about the question, “When is it a good time? Then the answer is ….NOW is a great time!!
I have become a NOW person over the past few years, when it comes to me. I remember back about three years ago, I had already been out of rehab, for a few months and having problems (with food). I said to me, “self, you are in trouble”.
I thought for a second, “I should be back in rehab.”, and with the support of my wife and family, I went back.

I believe that decision then, is responsible for my current quality of life, which I have Now. Even though, overall my life, is a conglomerate of positive attitudes, decisions, luck, support and blessings, that particular decision then, has been a key one for me Now!

I know if I would have procrastinated and thought about going back into rehab over a period of time. I would have had many more months pass under my belt along with many more pounds, added on my waist and who knows if I would have even lived throughout that “thought process”.

The things I would have missed. This renewed time with my wife (who is my best life-long friend and soul mate) has been enchanting. I wait each day for her to come home from work, even if it is to just to look in her eyes for a few moments, share some words of each of our day’s events and then watch a little television together. The things we are able to do together once again. If I did react to my thoughts then at the moment, I may not have gotten to enjoy my grandson as “Captain Hook”, “Dracula”, “Woody” or “Peter Pan” whom ever he may finally decide to be for this Halloween. My daughter in law is so good with him, she is so clever, and when it comes to these costumes, she puts her personal touch, he looks so authentic, and needless to say, so adorable, I could just “eat him up”!

I laugh, when I was a kid, if I was lucky enough to have an official costume, it was one of those “Ben Cooper” brand skeleton, devil, super hero costumes and we only had one. I hated them, oh, man! I was too big and the seams would rip usually as soon as I put them on. Then the elastic band around the mask would always snap because my head was too big. Yet I loved trick or treating ….free candy. In the fifties and sixties our parents did not have to screen our candy, we were allowed it all, and the pennies went to UNICEF!

If I procrastinated my decision to return to rehabilitation, I would have missed so much life, so much love, and so much fun. There would have been no Disney, this past month. No holidays, I would have missed my grandson’s birthday or my son reaching his 30th birthday and then some.

No, I spent many hours, many days, many months and years, thinking about it!

The thing that changed my life was my thought process and that was …

When the thought came to me, it was the time to react!

So when is the time for change in your life?… HOW ABOUT NOW!?
Change is good ….for the most part.

Good luck and have a great day and never stay in one place….

Love
Mike

Ps
Share some of your thoughts and experiences on change with us; we would love to hear from you.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike.......

Just wanted to tell you......another fine blog. I might not comment on all of them but i DO READ all of them. I totally agree with you about the importance of the time being NOW for all of us. Unfortunately as much as we KNOW what should be and how important it is....life kinda up and boots us in the heart or on our butt and at this point im finding that even the food is not numbing the pain of losing my babygirl yorkie. Its been a little over three weeks now and it seems like yesterday.

I know my health is more important, i know the damage i do every day by NOT getting back on track...but i also just feel such an empty spot right now that i cant imagine that easing up by walking or exercising or even eating a salad. Right now how do i keep myself from going in the total opposite direction by drinking liquids and soups and things that are so easy just so i dont have to DEAL WITH life and meal planning and ....all that comes with it. Right now i just wish i could think of a way to find that ROAD BACK to where i was even feeling like i could put one good day away and then shoot for another, but all i think about is how much i hurt. Tryin real hard....and plannin on never givin up.....i have been with you and watchin you too long.

I am so happy for you. I am so glad you are going strong and feeling good. Stay strong choo and know your in my thoughts and prayers always. Please keep me in yours .....hey ya never know... maybe mental telepathy can burn my butt off that couch.

You are and always will be an inspiration to me and everyone else.

huggs......
Peggs <3 :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
Now! How true. You are so on point. I need to go Now. I will, right now. Thanks
??

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I am a person who has been waiting to start. It has probably cost me 86 pounds. Thank you for this message , I will start right now, I have too.
Maryanne

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
You write with such knowledge, wisdom, and experience. I find you so inspirational and true to life. Please continue to share with us. By the way I have been coming here for four months and I started then to eat right. I have lost 45 pounds and have about 80 to go, thanks for the help.
Gloria ND

Anonymous said...

Mike
Can you share with us more of your daily routine? You are so open. How is your wife? Is she still supportive of you?
Thank You
Clare

Anonymous said...

You talked about change and it made me think of the things in my life that i have had to change not just for being healthy but for my overall being. There are alot of things physically i am unable to do due to illness and sometimes it gets me real down but I have learned to adapt and make many changes to be able to at least get out there. I have a wonderful support team. One of the major changes I have made is living alone when my best friend got married and we only live a few miles from each other and see each other daily it was strange not living with her. I had to learn to do for myself and be more independent. Independence is always important to me because it is something i always had from an early age. I was the one who did for others and who loved to take care of people....but when i got sick the roles reversed. But now today at least i get out a bit more and i laugh again and i smile and love. To me that is the biggest change i have made and if i can continue to do that then i know that i am working on myself and each day i get stronger and each day i reach out more to my own personal goals.

Much love and hugggs to you Mike and the family
Carol

Anonymous said...

Michael
This is just a great blog page. I have gotten so much hope and inspiration from it. You truly are a motivating persona and a real blessing. I only wish there was more of your writings or personal appearances we could attend. Please keep us informed. Thank you so much
Evelyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I have been reading your Blog on my blackberry standing on line waiting to vote. I have to ask you have you ever thought of getting into politics. You seem to have a great philosophy and the right attitude.
Jean NH

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I enjoy your thoughts for the day especially the one of present. What more can we expect when we have given our best. Great thought Mike, please keep sharing them
Dan

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike
You are really a person for many of us to look up to. Thank you for being an example and inspiration.
Linda

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mike Hebranko said...

Hi Pegs
So sorry about the loss of the pup. Loss is so difficult, whether it is of a loved one, a family member a friend or an innocent loyal pet. Loss is not easy and it does take a hit on our emotional state.
the thing need to watch is the balance. When is the actual mourning over and that pain is put into some perspective and then we are just binging. Peggy my sweet heart, I have mourned many losses with food for hundreds of pounds and that didn't help anything.
I know you know! Good lick my sweet thing
Love and support you
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear ??
Good luck NOW!
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Maryanne
I wish you all the best and NOW will help you surely not increase that 86 to 90 so go for it! Good Luck and keep in touch!
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Hi Gloria
Great news and I know those 80 pounds are just a matter of time. It didn't happen over night and it will not come off over night. Gloria, keep in touch and I will try to keep blogging.
All my best
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Clare
My wife is my best support part of my life. Oh I have good family, friends and medical people as part of my support team but my bride, my Madelaine is my main beam in my structure. I am the luckiest man alive to have his best friend, his love of his life, his soul mate by my side for the past 33 plus years. She has made my life interesting, fun, livable. She has made me feel normal no matter what my weight has been. She makes me the man I am. so when you ask me is she still supportive of me .... I hope so. Life would be very difficult her on my side.
As for my daily routine .....stay tune Clare.
Hope all is well with you and please keep in touch
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Carol My friend
You are one of the most strongest people I have ever known, and I know a lot of people. You are tough, you are a survivor. Yet you are sensitive and a love sponge. You have a lot of love to give and receive.
You can see past your nose and beyond today. You just need to be patient and do the right things for yourself as you wait for change.
Being patient to coin a cliche is a virtue.
Carol you can do anything you want to ........go for it!!!!!
Love ya
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Evelyn
Thank you for your kind words and I hope to be able to keep blogging and who knows what the future might hold for any of us!
Be well and keep in touch
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Jean
I would love to run but I can barely walk!! The truth is I have always felt I have something I could offer in service of the People of our country. One issue I would be an advocate for is more research and help for the obese. Obesity is an epidemic in our country and it is the Number one secondary cause of every death in this country. There are figures out there like 60% of our youth is overweight. This is sad and dangerous. Besides I have a lot of other issues I think I could help with.
The only problem is, the electorate has come a long way in accepting many different people from all walks of life. Yet we all know there is still a great deal of unspoken discrimination for obese people and there would not be many who would listen to a person weigh 300 to 400 pounds. What would we know??
Do not get me started.
Thanks for asking and who knows we have to have faith and keep believing and then all things are possible......
Be well Jean
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Hi Dan
I will! I am glad you enjoy them.
Tale care and keep in touch
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Linda
Thanks but we are all just people, all with special qualities.
Be well Linda
Love
Mike