Many times when we are in the midst of changing the change is so slight that we forget how much really IS changing. I’m like this frequently and honestly it isn’t a good thing.
I’m really hard on myself and forget that once I’ve reached a goal that I should take at least a little bit of time and reflect on that particular goal and really relish what I’ve done so far.
So as we are now in 08 and I thought what a great time to do just that. Reflect on where I have come from before I start the next chapter of my journey.
Total weight lost 38.6 pounds
Total inches lost 41
Obtained WW lifetime status August 08
Ran first 5K August 08 in 36 minutes, placed 4th in my age group
WW receptionist September 08
PNP moderator September 08
WW leader October 08
Ran first half marathon December 08 in 2 hours and 34 minutes
I know I have so many others that I can’t even measure. My level of confidence has increased, my knowledge of health and fitness has improved friendships have grown and people’s lives that I have touched for the positive are all examples of immeasurable progress.
Most of these things I did without even having a plan, can you imagine what we can do if we actually sketch out our goals and actually work towards them!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Change is coming
“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.”- King Whitney Jr.
Which of these are you, are you fearful, encouraging or confident? Our weight loss and fitness journey can take us through all of these emotions and often we can be stuck for a period of time in one of them.
Our ultimate goal should be to find a change as a challenge; an opportunity to make our body fitter, healthier and better. If we can recognize the process and embrace each step of it then all of the steps that get us from one level to the next won’t become so daunting.
I have to admit that right now I’m between fearful and encouraging. I’ve just started to lift heavy so that I can put on a few pounds of muscle and this means going against everything that I have been doing for the last 11 months. I’m eating more calories and with this I will put on some fat. It is terrifying, yet I know, that if I do it with healthy food that the fat will be minimal and I’ll be able to strip it off in a few month at which time beautiful, strong muscles will appear. However, as the scale goes up the fat girl emerges her ugly head and laughs at me. She is telling me that I have failed. Conversely, the phat girl is boldly shoving her aside and telling her that in the end she will win.
Change… embrace it.
Which of these are you, are you fearful, encouraging or confident? Our weight loss and fitness journey can take us through all of these emotions and often we can be stuck for a period of time in one of them.
Our ultimate goal should be to find a change as a challenge; an opportunity to make our body fitter, healthier and better. If we can recognize the process and embrace each step of it then all of the steps that get us from one level to the next won’t become so daunting.
I have to admit that right now I’m between fearful and encouraging. I’ve just started to lift heavy so that I can put on a few pounds of muscle and this means going against everything that I have been doing for the last 11 months. I’m eating more calories and with this I will put on some fat. It is terrifying, yet I know, that if I do it with healthy food that the fat will be minimal and I’ll be able to strip it off in a few month at which time beautiful, strong muscles will appear. However, as the scale goes up the fat girl emerges her ugly head and laughs at me. She is telling me that I have failed. Conversely, the phat girl is boldly shoving her aside and telling her that in the end she will win.
Change… embrace it.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
And she’s off…
I just came back from finishing the Las Vegas Half Marathon. This has been a culmination of 14 weeks of running, lifting weights and fueling my body like a machine.
The event was wonderful and I was able to share it with friends and family that traveled to come and watch me. I never would have thought that I could have completed such a feat. I suppose not that I thought I couldn’t just something I never thought of doing and as I was running at about the 12 mile I wondered if I could complete it. I knew I would but wasn’t sure if my legs would carry me through. Having this wonderful, fit and strong body is stimulating and knowing that I had trained for this made some of the discomfort bearable.
However, the strange thing was that on return I found myself sad or almost in a state of depression. I would have thought that the euphoria would continue for days or even weeks. It was if I had nothing else to look forward to. This goal has been my focus for so long that now I felt I had nothing.
So today I pulled out a 08 calendar and starting jotting down the rest of the years schedule. I have things planned through June of 08 and figure that by May I’ll have some more goals in mind for the balance of the year.
I ran across this quote from George Bernard Shaw and I think it sums up how I feel.
“I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming with a goal in front and not behind”
I don’t know that “dread” is quite the adjective that I’m looking forward but I think the fact that we should always be looking forward and not behind is accurate. Don’t be content in your current state continue to move forward.
I’ve also uploaded a couple more pictures from the LV race.
The event was wonderful and I was able to share it with friends and family that traveled to come and watch me. I never would have thought that I could have completed such a feat. I suppose not that I thought I couldn’t just something I never thought of doing and as I was running at about the 12 mile I wondered if I could complete it. I knew I would but wasn’t sure if my legs would carry me through. Having this wonderful, fit and strong body is stimulating and knowing that I had trained for this made some of the discomfort bearable.
However, the strange thing was that on return I found myself sad or almost in a state of depression. I would have thought that the euphoria would continue for days or even weeks. It was if I had nothing else to look forward to. This goal has been my focus for so long that now I felt I had nothing.
So today I pulled out a 08 calendar and starting jotting down the rest of the years schedule. I have things planned through June of 08 and figure that by May I’ll have some more goals in mind for the balance of the year.
I ran across this quote from George Bernard Shaw and I think it sums up how I feel.
“I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming with a goal in front and not behind”
I don’t know that “dread” is quite the adjective that I’m looking forward but I think the fact that we should always be looking forward and not behind is accurate. Don’t be content in your current state continue to move forward.
I’ve also uploaded a couple more pictures from the LV race.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Here come the holidays
Ah, the smell of fresh warm cookies from the oven, the site of carolers strolling down the sidewalks and the sound of the ringing bells. All of these invoke some memories within us. Most of us that have very fond food memories that surround all these types of thoughts as the holidays approach and we are quickly able to toss away our desire to be fit and healthy.
Now is the time to really stop, think and assess what we really want. What are these holidays about? Is it really about the food or is it about something more? If these times are special to us don’t we want to be around to really truly and fully enjoy them and live in them? How special to have memories of these events to share with children, grandchildren and yes even great-grandchildren or dear friends as we grow older.
“Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” (Epictetus)
If we can learn to control our desires we will be able to fully enjoy our lives and the freedom that comes with being able to choose our lifestyle. The next time you think that you actually want something try and figure out are you controlling the desire or is the desire controlling you?
Now is the time to really stop, think and assess what we really want. What are these holidays about? Is it really about the food or is it about something more? If these times are special to us don’t we want to be around to really truly and fully enjoy them and live in them? How special to have memories of these events to share with children, grandchildren and yes even great-grandchildren or dear friends as we grow older.
“Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” (Epictetus)
If we can learn to control our desires we will be able to fully enjoy our lives and the freedom that comes with being able to choose our lifestyle. The next time you think that you actually want something try and figure out are you controlling the desire or is the desire controlling you?
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mentor Week 1
I had my first WW mentoring meeting last night. I have to admit I was a bit worried about how I would be accepted. I think that many people that still have weight to lose or who have yo-yoed back and forth so many times don’t actually believe that I once was in their shoes. Well honestly, I’m still in there shoes. Once this level of fitness is reached one can’t just stop and say okay I’m done. We have to keep living the life.
It is kinda sad how many people are desperate to be fit and healthy and most of the issues that I see don’t come from food they come from a lack of self-worth and confidence. How do people get so messed up thinking that they aren’t worth it? They would give their eye’s tooth for anyone else but they can’t take ½ hour each week for themselves.
I met several nice people and many of them asked if I was going to be their full time leader. I don’t know that this will be my final location but while I’m there I will be helping them as much as I can. I’m excited to help people get on this high that I’m on.
One particular lady said that she felt so ashamed that she had lost 44 lbs and gained back 23 and she said she just was feeling like she should give up. I told her please don’t give up and to think of how many other parts of her as a person are wonderful. She had lovely blue, steal grey eyes and I told her so. I don’t think she even knew that herself. I hope she takes that home with her this week and thinks about it. I’ll be certain to be checking in with her next week.
It is kinda sad how many people are desperate to be fit and healthy and most of the issues that I see don’t come from food they come from a lack of self-worth and confidence. How do people get so messed up thinking that they aren’t worth it? They would give their eye’s tooth for anyone else but they can’t take ½ hour each week for themselves.
I met several nice people and many of them asked if I was going to be their full time leader. I don’t know that this will be my final location but while I’m there I will be helping them as much as I can. I’m excited to help people get on this high that I’m on.
One particular lady said that she felt so ashamed that she had lost 44 lbs and gained back 23 and she said she just was feeling like she should give up. I told her please don’t give up and to think of how many other parts of her as a person are wonderful. She had lovely blue, steal grey eyes and I told her so. I don’t think she even knew that herself. I hope she takes that home with her this week and thinks about it. I’ll be certain to be checking in with her next week.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Belief and action
Do you believe that you can accomplish your life's dreams of health and fitness. I know I certainly do. A quote from W Clement Stone is very intriguing "I think there is something more than believing: ACTION! the world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision"
In essence dreaming is the beginning of our journey and believing in ourselves will help us get there. However, action is what it will take to make real our dreams and the beliefs will support us along the way.
Don't just dream and believe, do and your world will flourish.
In essence dreaming is the beginning of our journey and believing in ourselves will help us get there. However, action is what it will take to make real our dreams and the beliefs will support us along the way.
Don't just dream and believe, do and your world will flourish.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Official Now
I'm so excited that I'm officially a Weight Watchers leader. I did my Basic Leadership training course over four days this past week. It was so intense and brought to light quite a few personal issues I still have myself. I'm a constant Picasso, ever evolving.
It brought me to think about what happens to us when we finally think we have "reached the top" the pinnacle of our efforts. I ran across this quote that said "When you reach the top, keep climbing". Isn't this true, we shouldn't stop we shouldn't just say, Oh well I'm done guess there is nothing more to do.
Constantly challenging ourselves both physically and mentally will help us continue this lifestyle with all the fervor and vigor that we had when we started. Do you remember that feeling, excited about how you would get through the next day, so happy with the weight or inches you lost or the great decision you made about forgoing some unhealthy choice.
Now that we are physically able to be more active we should be searching for things to do. How about enter a race, walk or run, ride a bike, take a hike that you never could have before. Just live in the new found moment and body that you have.
Keep climbing and when you think you have reached the top, look higher.
It brought me to think about what happens to us when we finally think we have "reached the top" the pinnacle of our efforts. I ran across this quote that said "When you reach the top, keep climbing". Isn't this true, we shouldn't stop we shouldn't just say, Oh well I'm done guess there is nothing more to do.
Constantly challenging ourselves both physically and mentally will help us continue this lifestyle with all the fervor and vigor that we had when we started. Do you remember that feeling, excited about how you would get through the next day, so happy with the weight or inches you lost or the great decision you made about forgoing some unhealthy choice.
Now that we are physically able to be more active we should be searching for things to do. How about enter a race, walk or run, ride a bike, take a hike that you never could have before. Just live in the new found moment and body that you have.
Keep climbing and when you think you have reached the top, look higher.
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