FRENCH SHOWERS

Rainy days and falling leaves both mean the same to me: it’s time for the beginnings of renewal.

A few weeks ago, while enjoying my perfect day in Paris, it started to pour.  It was my first time being in Paris since 2004, and I only had one day to enjoy the city before heading back to London.  Under normal circumstances, a day of tourism can be ruined by rain, but not in France.  In a weird way, I was happy that it rained; French showers have a magical effect upon the city and upon my memories.   

I love the way France embraces the rain.  It doesn’t damper the mood in the city of love or make walking the city insufferable, but instead, brings out an odd display of French camaraderie that normally doesn’t exist. Cafés bring out the heated lamps for their outdoor seating, tables of people get pushed closer together under café awnings, and the city sidewalks turns into a tapestry of parapluie colors.  

The washing effects of rain are similar to the stripping effects that autumn has upon trees.  They both leave everything clean, bare and transformed for a new season or new day. 

Our bodies and minds are no different.  We all change.  Every day, we change.  The changes are so small that we can barely recognize them ourselves, but so significant that in a few months time, just like the changing seasons, we are practically new creatures.

If changing your body is your goal, then every day you are either taking steps towards your goal or away from it.  Keep your mind focused on the end target and your goal body weight, and you will not be disappointed.  The combination of proper nutrition and exercise is fool-proof and will get you the results you want.  Most importantly, remember not to live to eat, but instead, eat to live. Mimic the French and be sure to fully enjoy the food that you do eat.  Savor it and feel no guilt. 

In order to change anything about your body, your nutrition, your lifestyle or your body-confidence, you must first allow yourself to be stripped of all the negative influences in your current lifestyle.  Let the bad habits fall to the wayside one by one, and be patient as they fall, for drastic change does not happen overnight.  Once one habit falls, the rest will fall suit more easily and you will be cleansed to start fresh in health and growth.  Let yourself be cleansed and enjoy the shower.