Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 28 °C, hot and sunny.
It is the second day of autumn, and it is even warmer. Today’s temperature peaked at 34°C. When it is too hot, we become lethargic and do not want to do anything.
I currently weigh between 95 and 96 kilos and hope to reach ninety-two before I travel. It has taken me a year to lose around 8-10 kilos, though I am not entirely sure of the exact amount. Of the weight I lost, I have gained 2-3 kilos of muscle, so I think I have lost about 12 kilos of fat.
When I was married to Nalva, I weighed 106 kilos. I was seriously overweight, unhappy, and had low self-esteem. However, when we eventually separated, and I moved out, even though it was still a stressful time, I managed to lose a considerable amount of weight.
I went from 106 kilos down to ninety-two in just 8 to 9 months.
I did this by exercising every day and intermittent dieting. I avoid eating after 7 or 8:00 p.m. and only eat again after midday or 1:00 p.m. the next day. It was easier for me when I had school because I would give classes directly from 8:00 a.m. until 1 or 2 p.m.
As I was always busy giving classes, I did not have time to eat anything or even think about it. Now that I work from home, the temptation to snack is greater because I have a fridge full of food in the kitchen.
Self-discipline and restraint are essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I make it a point, at a minimum, not to eat anything until after 11:00 a.m. This, combined with my regular exercise routine, has been working well for me, and it is a good combination for my overall well-being.
Sometimes, in the evening, I feel an enormous craving to eat something. If there is anything in the fridge, itis hard to resist. If Yasmin is not with me, I only keep the essentials in the fridge.
This way, I am not tempted to overindulge; little is available if I do feel the urge. Therefore, I must accept that sometimes I have to go without and that it will not cause any harm if I do not satisfy a craving at the end of the night.
We are discussing the importance of self-discipline, self-control, and re-educating our minds. I think moderation is key, specifically regarding our eating habits.
- It takes a lot of discipline to follow a specific diet, even though we know it is good for us and we will reap the rewards.
- Let us exercise control to avoid giving in to temptation and failing to reap our rewards.
- We must re-educate our minds so that, eventually, we condition ourselves for healthier diets and routines, where we are not desperate and spoil everything.
- Moderation means we can enjoy the things we like, but not to excess. Instead of devouring a whole pizza, we could limit ourselves to half. Instead of walking twenty kilometres, we could walk ten kilometres. Instead of buying five articles of clothing, we could limit ourselves to just two. This is what moderation is all about – recognising that we do not need everything in excess.
If we detach from our basic needs and cravings, we become more independent and freer to live. We are no longer slaves to routines, bad habits, and obsessions that are slowly killing us. This newfound freedom allows us to live the life we truly desire.
Practising a selfless life, with its highs and lows, is a daily exercise, but it is worth it.
In bed by 9:00 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
Photos by Richard George Photography: Taken at an exhibition at CCBB, Rio de Janeiro
