Ten Ways to be Stupid
I’m still amazed (and mildly frustrated) at the number of people who constantly find new and exciting (that is, stupid) ways to ignore what their body is telling them. You and I are fortunate enough to have been born with one of the most amazing biofeedback resources in the world; it’s called the human body. And, like Uncle Marty at the family reunion, it’s constantly speaking to us – even when we’re not listening. Sadly, some of us don’t seem to realise that ownership of such a fine machine comes with a responsibility to look after it. Yes, it will self-manage – but only to a point. It is indeed a complex and breathtakingly wonderful piece of engineering.
Or evolution. Depending on which camp you’re in.
We Don’t Learn
As obvious, fundamental and unnecessary as today’s message might seem, a quick look at current research and statistics will reveal that, despite the ever-expanding information pool, we (I’m referring to the collective we) are still abusing our bodies, still putting our heads in the sand and, for the most part, still subscribing to the reactive health management plan. That is, we keep ignoring the signs and signals (the messages our body constantly sends us) until something breaks, falls off, turns blue or stops working. Then we decide to ‘do something’ about our health.
If that’s not stupidity, I don’t know what is.
And, by the way, if you don’t have faith in the research (and I wouldn’t blame you), take a trip to any shopping centre next weekend, find yourself a seat, kick back and observe humanity in action for a while. If you can find a seat near the food court, even better.
Losing Touch
The human body and all its systems (nervous, cardio-vascular, endocrine, muscular, skeletal, digestive, immune, respiratory and even excretory) is constantly telling us what we need (and don’t need) but, sadly, many of us have had our fingers in our ears for so long that we now speak different languages. Just like we lose touch with friends, some of us have lost touch with our body. We have learned to ignore and over-ride its voice.
We have become disconnected from, and disrespectful of, the one ‘intelligence’ we should never ignore.
Lessons Better Not Learned
We have trained ourselves to keep eating when our body tells us to stop. To simply unbutton our pants and plough on. Some of us are committed to avoiding exercise at all costs – despite our ever-expanding waistline, our shortness of breath, our constant tiredness, our raised blood pressure and our ever-increasing range of signs and symptoms that accompany an unhealthy body. We’ve learned how to keep putting alcohol in our system, even when we’re about to fall down. And we’ve devised clever ways to stay awake with stimulants when every one of our cells is screaming for some sleep. We insist on sitting even though our aching (and wasting) muscles are begging for some standing or, better still, walking. And instead of lifting weights to strengthen our weak and sore lower backs, we choose to avoid the gym and over-ride the pain with anti-inflammatory tabs. Rather than eat more fibre, more fresh foods and less processed crap, we choose to shove more and more laxatives into our constipated bodies. When we notice our dry skin and hair, we simply splash on more moisturiser and conditioner – rather than drink more (desperately needed) water. Then we throw down another coke. And even though we’re getting stiffer and less flexible by the year, we still refuse to stretch because it’s boring and we don’t have the time.
Seriously folks, when will we stop complicating the simple?
For some of us, it’s time to stop bullshitting ourselves, time to stop denying the obvious and time to start paying attention to the genius that is our body. 
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The problem for me starts in the evening when I have done everything I need to do. My mind starts to think about food while my body is telling me it is not hungry. I guess I need to do something other than sit on the couch to forget about food until bed time.
the irony does not escape me that today I was suffering from a self induced caffeine/sugar overdose and tonight you have delivered a much needed bitch slap. Message received and understood cap’n
Ummm, okay.
I try to watch what I eat as it affects my mood and my sleep habits. Caffeine is totally out, and I try to avoid sugary foods to keep my blood sugar levels stable.
Excellent point Craig,
It’s amazing how we will sacrifice the most important thing in the world (our health) for superficial stuff and pleasures. Oh well… When I’m thinking of this, that saying “You reap what you sew” comes to mind.
Very good post! For years I have slowly changing my diet as a result of listening to my body. I no longer eat refined sugar. I don’t drink milk. I have reduced caffeine and I recently stopped eating pasta.
Here here! And I will stay on FB well past my bedtime… getting off now!
Oh, how this rings bells with yours truly. If there were a degree course in ignoring the signs and signals of a tired and out of whack body (and mind!) then I wouldn’t need to study for it very much. It took a physical meltdown for me to wake up and smell the coffee.
It is now 5 weeks since I got out of hospital. I’ve lost a stone (14 lbs) so far. When I went in, I was 2 stone HEAVIER than I believed – every set of scales I stepped on told me so. Reason? They didn’t go up high enough. Now I have some that do go up high enough. I also restarted at Slimming world this week.
Physically? Stairs are easier now my afflicted limb is less swollen, I’m able to put my own shoes on again. Am now walking a little and using the exercise bike a little (5-10 mins a time at the mo). Where I haven’t been working I’ve relaxed a lot but my brain is telling me I can do more than my body will let me. I spent just over an hour in town on Saturday – didn’t walk far or fast but it wiped me out. According to those around me I was grey. It has taken 2 days of rest for things to get back to “normal”. Message received – take a step back and don’t try walking the marathon when just doing a lap of an athletics field is physically exhausting.
I’ve learnt that this thing I was in hospital with is more powerful than I gave it credit for. I’m winning the battle but the war will take a little longer. Will have to practice the art of patience …
Hi Craig,
I have been eating meat, veg, fruit and have been avoiding processed food for about four weeks now. I feel much better and have started to notice some muscle shape and tone. I have also been exercising regularly using my weights and doing press ups and basically doing anything I can to keep active. My only vice is the beer, I still like a few beers at the weekend………..tut tut, however I am at least 80% primal now!
I so love your posts Craig but this one is superb. It should be splashed across the front pages of all the newspapers immediately! One of my favourite pastimes is people watching and they never fail to amaze. Thankyou! Rx
Another simple, straighforward message! I am liking these short, sharp, to the point blogs. I love SIMPLE … it’s the way life is really.
Please can anyone help me out here, I’m getting myself confused?! I get this post is about listening to your body – if you’re fat and unfit, your body is telling you to lose some weight and do some exercise. So far, so good! But everyone’s body, fat, thin, fit, unfit, fluctuates between hunger and fullness. OK, the feeling is subjective, and a matter of habit, but it’s still what your body’s telling you. The bit I don’t get is the values. Sometimes hunger is good if you need to lose weight, or bad if you’re anorexic (although you might think it’s good). Whereas fullness is good if you’ve been starving, but bad if you’re too fat. Same thing with feeling tired and feeling rested – tired is good if you’ve been overdoing it, but bad if you just can’t be bothered. And rested is good if you’ve just woken from a sound night’s sleep, but bad if it’s due to lack of exercise. Where does that leave the fat, unfit person with blood pressure through the roof and trousers too tight whose body seems to be telling them they feel too tired to exercise and too hungry to eat sensibly? I know this has been covered lots of times – it’s about willpower/control/discipline – but isn’t that getting away from listening to the body and towards ignoring aspects of it?
was that about me?
Another great post Craig. My body is screaming out for water and, despite all good intentions, my head is telling me I need a coffee. Well I’ve started the day with a glass of water on my desk…who knows what will happen. Thanks for putting it simple, sometimes the obvious ain’t so obvious.
Hi Catherine,
My understanding is that this is about listening to body. For me I realised that in life I am always going to be ‘hungry’ wanting more.
As a person who has overcome (hospitalised) Anorexic and also weighing 90 kgs … (in recovery from this) I can tell you now it was not my body I was listening too. When I was anorexic– I was so hungry but it was my head’ that had made the rules and said ‘JUST DON’T EAT’ It was my head that said ‘if I was perfect’ no one can critise me… everything will be okay…Trust me I was SOOOOOO hungry every day, but I numbed it in my headJ
You are correct that it does take will power/self control/discipline etc however I think the point Craig is trying to make it that we have really given our power over to food, the new diet, we have given our self responsibility over to the trainer or therapist rather than having a good look at our own make up and realising how we are or aren’t.
If we are honest we know if we really are tired and should be excersiing as we feel guilt when we don’t do it.. it is like a natural inbuilt guide, when we starve ourself we feel high because our ego is not grounded through food we are totally in head… When we binge we lay ourseleves to the ground. Then feel total self hatred – because we love to berate ourselves for not being good enough.
But again there is difference its like knowing you need to shower but not being bothered – the smell will tell you and as you said yes the weight or lack of weight is an amazing guide to what we need to be doing:0
Love Kate
Craig Harper,
I felt as though you were speaking directly to me!
I’ll be 52 in August and I have completely lost myself – the self I used to be (at least physically) and I seem to be in a rut so strong that it seems almost impossible to break free from it!
I’m too young to be old and I’m too old to be young! but I’m trapped within my own frozen state of unhealthy existence! I wish I knew HOW to break free, once and for all.
Thank you for the emails, I do read them.
@Kazz – I also like the simple straight forward messages. I would like to ask how do we know when we are dehydrated?
Morning everyone
Great post! I constantly get told from others but I want a life ie. drink alcohol, smoke, stay up late, party and not exercise. I can’t give up my glass or 2 of wine every night! Well then you really don’t want to change! Most people want to lose weight and want to be heathy but also want the quick fix. It frustrates me that its not the government or the food labelling or McDonalds that are to blame look in the mirror! And Catherine your post what was that about it confused the hell out of me! Don’t think so much when you know the answer everyone does you are just focusing on the wrong thing! Focus on what you want not what you don’t want!
Ange
Hi Craig,
I just wanted to say thank you for putting on RYB on Sunday, I feel very lucky to have been able to attend.
As you mentioned, there was a lot of information overload, and my brain has been shifting through it and finding my truth amongst it all.
I guess my biggest “take home” item is that I am not living my life in alignment with my core values, and to be honest, I believe that I have also been internalising someone elses truth as my own.
I don’t have the answers yet, but am working my way towards being the best me I can be. Whatever that is.
I think I’ve punished myself, and my body enough.
Thank you.
Craig wonderful as ever but again you cannot change anyone. See that’s the thing; no amount of guilt, no amount of crap given out like we do on smokers will work. It is a case of “oh we want you to be thin (or healthy depending on how rational and sensible those doing the urging are) but YOU have to do it yourself” No excuses if the boss wants you to work unti 8 pm or its cold. Food and obesity is becoming the new hate thing in society like cigerettes. Having hatred for the overweight is a poison and it is not positive discrimination.
Now what if you had a big tummy and ate rubbish then decided one day not to ignore the body and went, ok i’m going out to walk and god I don’t want this pizza anymore? No one will believe that you are doing your best, they just see you as a sad fat so and so.
Attitudes need to change, and no they won’t but, obesity is complex. You say it is taking simple stuff and making it complex. I don’t agree. We have so many committments we cannot all go to gyms but we sure can get out and walk or get on the exercise bike. But some just won’t. If they are lying like my mum did in agony with failing organs and whinging tax payers bitter that they are paying for public health care so be it (no disrespect to my mum she acknowledged before she went she did live a bad lifestyle which contributed to her death, that’s a fact). I have seen the end for people with lifestyle diseases, sores opening up on the body, kidney’s not passing water, staff not able to give drugs to put people out of their misery etc etc, so yes of course it is important to do one’s best with food and exercise. But some won’t. That’s a fact. They pay the price but no amount of commandos posing on weight loss programs with their no excuses mantra as they are paid to go to the gym will do it.
The only way is to have someone physical there to stop you eating the cream bun – like that won’t happen
HI CATHERINE,
Just thought I’d reply to your questions re the fat/tired thing – and yes, you do sound a bit confused. Maybe this will help –
1) You don’t need to be hungry EVER – yes, even if you are trying to lose weight. If your diet is rich in fibre and ‘good’ carbohydrates – ie wholegrain foods, some soluble fibre, fruit, veges etc…. you won’t ( I actually want to say “can’t ” be hungry !).
If you are just denying yourself by going without food to lose weight instead of making lots of healthy changes, YES, you will probably experience hunger (and then for some people, they will go and binge eat because of it. Not helpful. )
Try not so much to think about weight loss itself being the only goal. Instead aim for healthier living and positive change to your diet and that hunger thing won’t exist. You should also be eating 5-6 times a day (small meals) rather than just 3 big ones – also a lot better for metabolism and providing your body with a constant energy source.
I could go on……you’ve probably gathered that….but I won’t. After my own weight loss journey, I wrote a book called “Reframe Weight Loss”, which will soon be available for sale on Amazon and a few other online retailers. (I’m still in the finishing off stages of the formatting etc….) . During the research for the book, I learnt soooo much ……and one thing I advocate in the book is for others too to learn as much as they can about your their own body, about nutrition and how it effects everything from our moods, to our level of fatigue….etc, etc…
I wish the book was ready for sharing…..I’d love to send you a free copy!
Anyhow….better go. Hope you don’t mind me sharing my thoughts with you. Hope my brief comment made sense to you!!
hugs,
Monica
PS HI CRAIG!!! LOVED TODAY’S POST. SO TRUE.
Wow, spot on post Craig!
Mon, your book sounds like it will be a cracker too!
I believe yes, many do over-complicate the issue and you are very correct in what you say.
One thing I will bring up is: – intuitive eating. Years ago I have read a book from Geneen Roth, and another similar book from someone else. Some suggestions were:
* eat what you feel like when you feel hungry
* never run out of your ‘problem/trigger foods’, – instead aim to overcome them for good! For example if chocolate or icecream was a trigger don’t just store one family block or one family tub of your fav icecream at home, Store about 10 or an amount it is absolutely impossible to eat in one sitting. THEN go and replenish supplies straight away so they never run out! The eventual aim was to get rid of the ‘I’ll get this gone/start tomorrow’ mentality I believe and to get one comfortable with controlling themselves with whatever food was in the home rather than the food controlling them! I remember reading one may gain a bit of weight before eventually losing it!
I remember once myself trying this philosophy years ago and have also followed some obese people through their blogs and in real life give this method a good try. Some I knew had habits of chocolate and coke for brekkie followed up by lots of greasy cheesy foods an hour or two later. Then you can imagine the pattern for the rest of the day along with never letting a food run out! Instead of feeling a bit guilty for this…………………………..that was what they felt like/were addicted to so they ate! Most people I know who attempted taking this method onboard, (mainly obese people with binge eating issues) have gained 20kg plus in only a short few months. I was one of them too. They didn’t suddenly or automatically get sick of their trigger foods! I stopped this method and most of whom I’m talking of have too I believe.
I’m sure that wasn’t what the authors were trying to say. I do believe in intuitive eating to a degree, (you don’t need to have heaps of pointless, ‘diet’ or ‘food’ rules or give up any food you really love to lose/maintain weight). But one does need self responsibility and self control. Losing weight requires long term requires an average of a bit less intake than output and maintenance requires around a balance of the two. And good health requires the majority/ – experts suggest 80% plus to balanced clean nutritional food.
That’s my view or opinion on that anyways!
Pip
Hear! Hear! I agree with you, Ruth. Craig, you need to splash this post on the front page of all the newspapers. Something so simple, yet most people ignore what their body is telling them. The bullshitting needs to stop!
As someone who meditates regularly i find it’s a good idea to stop and reflect when you have low energy, headaches, or other aches and pains. These are signals from your body that something in your life needs to change,
Just wanted to re-iterate what other RYBers have said on this article. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You for yesterday. My husband and I left your seminar feeling completely invigorated. Thank you also for your humbleness (if that’s a word). And to think we got a complete day of personal development insights for FREE. We are truly grateful! For anyone who has never attended one of Craig’s seminars, take the opportunity when you get the chance
Can you please remove that photo of me from this blog. I did not give you permission to use it.
[...] Stop Ignoring Your Body!!! [...]
@ Kate, Ange, Mon
Thank you for trying to clarify things for me – ‘food for thought’! Kate, wishing you well in your combat against anorexia. Love, Catherine
[...] Stop Ignoring Your Body!!! [...]
Hi Craig!
With great posts like this perhaps more will wakeup and see their amazing machine – their own body – and what it can become.
Bravo!!! Thanks for this post. As a Lifestyle Fitness Coach, Personal Trainer and Strength Coach I find myself pulling my hair out at the end of almost everyday.
The actual act of “staying in shape” is so simple. However for most it’s not easy…so they think
Hi Catherine,
XX I dont have anorexia anymore that was over 10 years ago now! Thank god. I have now maintained a fit strong body for over 6 years… so am grateful for that… do hope it assisted.
Love Kate
You listen to your body by focusing on what you are doing throughout the day. Meditation helps people to become more centered and live for the moment rather than always for the future.
Ooh yeah…thats tough lovin ….
Hey all,
A bit off topic ………… That guy in the photo is looking into his fridge and there is nothing that will do serious damage in there (maybe eating pure butter?)!! Should have a photo with tim tams, chips, booze, ice-creams etc. etc. in there. Now that would be a true representation.
hi Kate
Glad to hear it.
Still a bit confused – my body is fit and strong because I exercise and control what I eat every day (as you compare, ‘shower’). I know that is what I need to do and I do it. Sometimes my body says it doesn’t like what I’m doing and I have to ignore it because I know I need to ‘shower’. But I will always think I’m fat no matter how much I exercise or what weight I am (think I ‘smell’). And I have to ignore that as well. I think maybe my ‘body’s voice’ is actually lots of voices all saying different things.
Love, Catherine
HI Catherine,
I undertstand and talk your language. I am fit and strong because I exercise and eat well too – even when I don’t want to get out of bed, I just do it! But when I am exhausted say a lot on and I need a yoga instead I listen to that and give myself active recovery time.
For me I was seeking happiness and no matter how thin or fat I got I didn’t find it.. As you said I know I am fit and strong but unfortunately my head (like last week) told me I was fat.. I had to say to it.. I know that is not true and continue to do what I know I do.
My bodies voice is different to my heads voice – Its like when I am cold I shiver, so I put a jumper on. When I am hungry I feel hunger – and eat, etc However when I am angry I do also feel this in my stomach.. and I need to work out if my boudaires or standards have been violated and if so do I speak up or deal with it another way!
Honestly You will not always think you are fat.. as I don’t now .. although I have days where I feel a bit larger… It gets less and less as you realize you are so much more than your body.
Catherine – You seem to have a great connection with your body – which is awesome and creates such a great base! But as you know factually you are not fat.. maybe the question you need to ask when you ‘head’ (not body) tells you this (next time) is just have a quick look at the events – triggering the thought – ie semi rejection use to do it for me! Once you have recognised the belief we can then work on this as you are already doing the body work:)
Hope this lessons the confusion a little – as you sound so intune –
Good work Kate X