We all want to “do it right,” and maximize our efforts to get most out of whatever we do. For our diet, we’re concerned about best time to eat. Maybe it’s 6:00, maybe it’s 8:00. But what about Fitness? Is there a best time to workout? Does metabolism respond better in morning? Maybe fat burns best if you workout in middle of day?

As a fitness trainer I get asked some version of these questions at least once a day. I respond: What time do you like to move?

Metaphors are great. Writers use them all time because, simply put, they get your attention and really drive a point home.

That’s because life and a box of chocolates have as much in common as French Toast for breakfast and a French Toast to your health.

But you know a punch line is coming to connect dots and relate two ridiculously unrelated things. So you wait, listening sharply to catch thread that makes it make sense.

“You never know what you are going to get.” Aaahhh, riiigghhtt!

The mismatch, mental twisting, and surprise resolution slam point home. There. That’s micro-anatomy of our most common literary tool. So how about a metaphor for eating healthy?

Losing weight is like eating a single scoop death-by-chocolate ice cream cone. Okay, that nailed “man, this strains reason” part. But now let me explain.

First of all, real connoisseurs know that you must linger over your ice cream: chasing runners, keeping it off pavement, and pushing it right to bottom of cone without bathing in it. These are all vital factors. It’s a process.

And that’s point. It just takes time, and when you’re finished with that ball, you think … perfect!