stoicism Archives - Tips Of The Scale

Giving Up 2.0

A couple of weeks ago, I took the time to write about Giving Up. If you haven’t read the article, I encourage you to do so. We received a couple comments with a negative reaction to the usage of the term. Debra, had this to say::

First of all, I want to say two things:

1) I love feedback like this. I’m so honored that I wrote something that made you think about how to frame things positively. Thank you for reading Debra.
2) I love words and their impact. I will never minimize the power of words. Words can start a war, create true love, destroy relationships and establish life long bonds. It is with words that we say promise to be with someone forever in a wedding. It is with words that our parents teach us. Words can be on occasion both therapeutic and destructive simultaneously.

Sometimes, I literally obsess over vernacular. As an aspiring writer, I adore words. Today, I want to talk about this phrase: Giving Up.

When Do I Get My Lightsaber?

“We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.”
-Theodore Roosevelt

One of my favorite quotes from Tips of the Scale came from Dana from episode 5 who shared this brilliant thought:

There’s no doubt that preparation can be one of the most valuable skills and talents you can learn along your weight loss journey. That could mean preparing healthy meals or a workout plan, but today, we’re going to be addressing how to prepare yourself mentally against the trials and tribulations that come with attempted fat loss using the Stoic principle of The Inner Citadel.

Sometimes Giving Up is Ok

“Genius is the ability to put into effect what is in your mind. There’s no other definition of it.”
-F Scott. Fitzgerald.

Welcome back Stoic Students. Today we’re going to wax biographical. Today we’re going to talk about the gentler side of quitting.

The day I decided to change my life was the Fifth of November. Yes, really. Remember, remember the Fifth of November.

This change was so far overdue. I was consuming over 5500 calories per day. My life was out of control. I had given up not only physically but in life, in love, professionally, personally and spiritually. It was nothing short of an ephiphany that made me believe in myself again for the first time in years. I wanted to set a goal to achieve something that would demonstrate that I was fit, strong and healthy. I decided on a goal and publicly proclaimed on Facebook at over 400 pounds:

I was 31 at the time. I turn 35 in about 6 weeks. Spoiler alert: In 6 weeks, I will fail to reach my goal. But I am by no means a failure. Let’s get Stoic for a minute.

Drop Weight Like a Stoic

Come with me to a tough place.

You’ve carefully crafted a plan for success at something. Maybe you planned the perfect date with your sweetheart. The picnic basket is packed. The car is waxed. The drinks are chilled and you have your favorite book of poetry or your favorite Ginuwine record cued up (the only two sources of entertainment appropriate to a romantic picnic). You pick him or her up and she looks perfect. You’re wearing your favorite cologne and you even remembered deodorant. The only thing fresher than your clothes is your breath thanks to 15 minutes of tooth brushing and mouth washing. This date will be perfect.

You get in the car and it starts to rain. All your plans are for naught. The date, the evening and even Ginuwine’s Pony can’t make the torrential downpour get better.

You’ve failed. We’ve all been there.

When it comes to our weight loss, we almost always begin with the best of intentions and the brightest of goals. And we’re on point. Until we fail.