If I could get healthy by best intentions alone, I would already be at the weight & fitness level I've always wished for! Unfortunately, this is not how it works, despite my eagerness to achieve my goals. Months have gone by and, though I've done a pretty good job at maintaining, I'm nowhere near where I hoped to have been at this time 6 months ago...So the story goes! But one thing I've learned through out this process is that I've never given up. Though the fire may be merely a small burning ember, there is still a chance to ignite my "want" back into a roaring bonfire! Today is the day I put myself back on track! I must admit that I have been much nicer to myself over these past months. Maybe I became too forgiving of my poor choices (choosing a new episode of House over the gym, ice cream over a piece of fruit - you know how it goes). One thing is for sure - I haven't beaten myself up over these decisions either. Progress! I don't kid myself anymore. I am where I am at for lack of trying and I get it! But I also understand that at any moment, I can just as easily make the decision to pack my gym bag, get in the car and reward myself with a workout! I can grab an orange from the fruit bowl that I walk pass on my way to the freezer! So the light switch has been turned back on. Set backs arise and as long as I recognize that I can move passed them!
I used to say that if I could apply my work ethic toward my quest for a healthier me, I would have no problem achieving my goal! So what is it that sets the two apart?
Well, first I think it is confidence. I know that I am good at what I do! I approach my work with enthusiasm and passion. I am confident in my knowledge of my profession, but I also know there is much more for me to learn. I receive positive feedback from my superiors and have never felt that I've given less than 110%!
Secondly, I am accountable. I have deadlines to meet, a quality of product to make, and people depending on me achieve this!
And thirdly, I have a routine. I arrive at work at the same time every day with my morning rituals to prepare me for the work ahead. I organize myself and break down my workload into more simple tasks in order to get everything done!
How have I been approaching my steps to a healthier me? Here's the difference...
When I do make it to the gym, I am terrified of the weight machines and generally stick to the treadmill every single workout. I don't go to group classes for fear that people will stare at my bright red face that always gets blotchy whenever I start to overexert myself! Because I am overweight, I feel like it's apparent that I am not in my element & I'm lacking knowledge in how to get myself fit!
I am not accountable to myself! Like I said before, I have all the best intentions but I am easily persuaded to give up a trip to the gym for anything remotely more interesting. I'm the only one depending on myself right now to get healthy. It's a work in process putting myself first, and something that I still trying to accomplish.
I have a meager routine when it comes to weight loss and no routine when it comes to getting fit. I'm involved in a weight loss program that has it's ups and downs (at least on the scale). And for the fitness, see above regarding my fear of the machines.
Oh, I can see clearly now!
So hear it is....I'm putting my best sneaker forward! At least for the next month anyway! I've made a commitment to a group of women at work. We're involved in a fitness competition at a local gym. We are full of enthusiasm, support and a goal (myself included)! I am now accountable to people other than just myself. They are relying on me to do my part in winning this competition and I don't want to let them down! Since I work with these people, I can definitely trick my brain into applying my work ethic into all this! We're already planning on doing some workouts at lunch! Best of all, we have a trainer for the next month who's job is help us build our endurance - Not to mention that I have an ex-Olympian on our team for additional guidance!
Am I the heaviest one on the team? Yes! Am I the oldest one on the team? Most definitely! And really, I thought I would care a lot more than I really do! Maybe I've just gotten used to weighing in every week. Maybe I finally figured out that the # on the scale doesn't measure how good or bad of a person I am! It's just a number! And hey, I look at it this way - I figure that I'm an asset to the team because I'm the one that has the biggest opportunity to improve! And I tell you what, today we had to do some endurance tests and I kicked butt on my time for the plank pose!
So I will be back more often from here on out! I will post my process of this crazy fitness competition that I've gotten myself mixed up in! For the first time in a long time, I've found a purpose other than just trying to get the # on the scale to go down! It's about proving to myself that I can do this! And I will!
Bring it....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Yay! For sure worth the read. Good for you. You can do it (as can I! I need to add more to my blog).
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting, and girl, we still need to keep each other accountable, but for sure doing it with a group is way more motivating to keep on track.