I Don't Like Labels

 #50  12/12/2025


When you complain, you make yourself a victim. Leave the situation, change the situation, or accept it. All else is madness. Eckhart Tolle


Fit Tip: Read and Discern Food Labels 

This fit tip was inspired by a bag of sugar that sat on my counter. In a big, pretty circle this literal sugar bag boasted "only 15 calories per serving." It's sugar! Yet, they know putting something like that in bold letters on the front makes it seem more innocent. Turn it around and you see it is indeed 15 calories per serving: serving size of one teaspoon. A single can of Mountain Dew contains over 11 teaspoons of sugar. A batch of holiday cookies (unfrosted) requires 72 teaspoons of sugar. It is ridiculous to think anyone is using only one teaspoon of sugar at a time, even if its just to sweeten their coffee. 

I am not one who feels you need to understand every ingredient within every product in order to stay safe. The "if you can't pronounce it, you shouldn't eat it" is not a great rule to live by, and here is an example why: quinoa...acai. Go ahead, sound that out. Instead, let common sense guide you. The sugar was an easy example because we all know there is zero nutritional value in sugar regardless of it's calorie count (which is high). Something like peanut butter can fool us more quickly as we think of it as a great protein source until measuring how calorie-dense it is; the protein you get per number of calories is not a great trade-off for one looking to lose a little fat. Breakfast cereals have always tried to ease parents guilt by sprinkling in some vitamins and minerals and boasting about it on the box. 

Read the labels, see past the marketing, but don't be so meticulous that you are paralyzed by analysis. 


Excerpt from Stronger Than Yesterday by Mike Matthews

[Don’t let others ding you for wanting to improve your body composition. You get to decide how you want to look and feel. And you can have high standards while also being healthy and happy—you can control calories without copping an eating disorder, exercise every day without developing a dependency, and love your body without losing perspective. 

“But can’t you just love your body as it is and skip the rest?” some ask. Maybe. But holding yourself to strong standards is a flavor of self-love because it signals optimism and trust. It’s you saying to yourself, “I can freaking do this!” And few things say “I love my body” like being fit and strong. 

What’s more, the preservation of top personal benchmarks also helps preserve worthy social and cultural ideals. In a depraved, diseased, and dysfunctional society, being healthy in body, mind, and spirit is a revolutionary act.]


December Challenge: Start Before the New Year

Whatever you have been dragging your feet to start doing, do it this month. Set a goal; make it small and actionable. Be specific. Whatever your new habit is, can you continue it forever? Starting now, during the busy holidays is the best time to start. Life will always be busy, there will always be something to set you off the rails; start that new healthy habit now so you will be sure to continue it in 2026. 

Win the weekend!


Brad


Durable Dad Training

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