A Punch in the Face

by Doug Betts

(Note to the reader: I’m going to go off on a pretty big tangent, but I will reveal my point about mid-way through this piece. Stay patient while I go on and on, there is a pretty big payoff at the end! Also, you should know that I don't advocate violence. I'm only using it here to demonstrate a point!)

Everybody gets mad sometimes. Every once in a while you get really, really angry. I’ve ticked off a few people in my day (sometimes by doing nothing more than being a morning person!). I’m sure I’ve even driven a few people to fantasies of punching me in the face. Luckily, outside of competitive fighting, I’ve managed to avoid that. I’ve often wondered about that fine line between throwing a punch and holding back. We stop ourselves in the name of being civilized. Fighting is kind of taboo in our society (to say the least). Obviously, some pretty major consequences can arise from it. They might hit back. We may be fined or incarcerated. We may even find ourselves the subject of a law suit. Aside from that, we worry about what people will think about us, so we take any desires we may have to hit someone, bottle them up, and store them deep down inside.

We’ve all seen those movies where one character, usually the antagonist, is just an all-out jerk to the main character. Throughout the movie, the main character maintains composure while this putz lays it on thick. You can see the frustration, the hurt, and the longing for the strength just to stand up to the verbal bully. Usually in the climactic scene, the main character, having gone through some sort of transformation, goes through a really bad string of demeaning insults brought on my the nemesis. Instead of the normal reaction, we find extreme relief to see the hero punch the villain square in the mouth.

What changed in the hero’s mind? Why did our protagonist ignore all of the aforementioned consequences? Because this formerly meek and meager person had enough. There’s only so far people can be pushed before they stop caring about consequences. If you get to that point, you’re willing to deal with whatever consequences arise.

Okay, before you start thinking that I’m advising you to go around punching people, I’d better tell you what all of this has to do with your quest for a flat tummy.

Just like punching somebody, getting serious about a weight loss program has consequences. We don’t normally call them that, but that’s exactly what they are. You will lose out on time to do other things. You will be sore. You will watch your friends eat all of your favorite foods while you abstain. Another similarity your weight loss program has with punching someone is the fact that most people won’t go that far. Most people will remain like the meek, meager version of the movie characters. There comes a time, however, where you have to stop caring about the consequences and go for it (the weight loss program, not punching somebody!). Only then will you drop your inhibitions. Only then can you exercise with appropriate vigor. Only then can you bring about positive change.

I know somebody who actually gets kind of a sick enjoyment out of the “consequences” that his goals bring. He’s of the mindset that these consequences are what will bring him closer to his goal. While everybody else is avoiding the consequences, he’s actually almost seeking them out! The same holds true for you, as well. Adopt the attitude of “yeah, bring it on!” Then take comfort in knowing that you are one of the few who is willing to face the fire and do what it takes to achieve a result.

So what now? Are you going to stay the same, or are you willing to really go for it? You need to decide right here, right now that you are willing to put up with all the bad stuff so you can get the good stuff. Consequences be dammed!