Archive for March 12th, 2009
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COMING OF AGE IN AMERICA: HOW TO MAKE THE MIDDLE YEARS MORE REWARDING?
To make the middle years more rewarding, we should begin by abolishing our rigid concept of the life cycle whereby a twenty-year block of intensive education is followed by a forty-year block of tedious work, which is then topped off by an empty time of retirement—the time when, as we know, many men disintegrate or [...]
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WORK: STARTING OVER
Last on the freedom line, American men in their middle years are finally beginning to claim the right to redefine their lives. Young people, blacks, and women have been on the march for a much longer time, and now even groups like the Gay Liberationists and Gray Panthers are demanding room to grow. As oppressive [...]
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LETTING EACH OTHER GROW
Whether or not a husband and wife hurdle the stresses imposed by the mid-life sexual reversal will depend on many factors: How strongly are they still bound together by loving feelings? Is their sexual relationship mutually satisfying? How deep is the hostility between them? Equally important: How much loyalty do they feel for each other [...]
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THE YALE GROUP: LEAVING THE FAMILY
Leaving the family Eighteen to Twenty-two: this is the transition between adolescent life and full entry into the adult world. During this period a young man is usually half in and half out of the family, but trying to separate himself from their support and authority. This involves moving out of the family home, becoming [...]
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HORATIO ALGER LIED: AWAITING SOCIETY’S VERDICT
“This is my last chance to have my baby,” said one forty-four-year-old man. “I feel as if I’ve reached the peak of my powers, and now I have to make it—because if I’m not successful in the next few years I never will be.” This comment reflects the intense preoccupation with “making it” felt at [...]
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THE WEIGHT IS OVER
I’ve written quite a few words, explained many principles, and reviewed scientific studies. Now there’s only more thing to say. Actually, I’ve already said it but I’ll repeat myself, for it is the single most important part of this or any other program: You can do it! As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, we are what [...]
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THE MCDOUGALL PROGRAM FOR MAXIMUM WEIGHT LOSS8
Dr. John McDougall is a very likable man. I’ve been a guest on his radio program and I admire his desire to prevent disease. At the age of 18 he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed on his left side, and at 25 he underwent exploratory surgery for severe abdominal problems. He developed [...]
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THE MOST COMMON DIETING MISTAKES: FORGETTING TO REWARD ONESELF
Following even a sensible, “easy” food plan can sometimes be tough. The Fat Blocker Program permits rewards in the form of “splurges,” but it also recommends that we reward ourselves in non-food ways. Take a walk, buy yourself something new to wear, arrange a romantic getaway to a fancy hotel. Above all, treat yourself well. [...]
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STAYING MOTIVATED TO LOSE WEIGHT: DEALING WITH SITUATIONAL TRIGGERS
When I realized I was eating cookies just because I had entered my house, I decided to change my homecoming routine. Instead of heading straight to the kitchen, I went straight for the shower. A hot shower relaxed me and refreshed me much more than the cookies ever did. Everybody has situational triggers. One of [...]
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THE FAT BLOCKER EXERCISE PROGRAM: THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD EXERCISE PROGRAM
Probably the single most important factor in a successful exercise program is identifying the kind of activity that you’ll actually do. Joining a fancy gym or purchasing all the latest running gear isn’t going to do anything for you if you give up after 3 weeks and go back to being a couch potato. So, [...]