My Dearest Bleaders:
Why is it that the moment things don’t go exactly the most optimistic way, we jump on the excuse wagon? As you know, I have been away from my blogging for the past two weeks. The complications of life have picked up again and I have once again slowed down my efforts toward my health goals. While I continue to make healthier food choices, overall, every once in a while I am seeing some old behaviors creeping back into my psyche. I am walking once to twice a week, but at this rate, I am going to be hurting after my 5K Walk on October 24th. I’ll be able to do it, but will probably be exhausted and paralyzed afterward. I wish that I could explain it, but I can’t. It is like something in my brain is telling me that it’s ok to slow down because life is a bit challenging right now or whatever the situation is at the moment.
I was inspired to write today’s posting after attending a session by writer Shauna Niequist. She spoke about many things, including the discipline of a healthier lifestyle. You see, she had several friends who inspired her to pursue a goal of completing the Chicago Marathon. For the past 7-8 months, she has trained rigorously for this goal. She dedicated herself to building up her stamina from starting out last March barely able to complete 2 miles without being totally exhausted. Slowly, she worked with a training team to build up to a goal of 12-minute miles. She completed last Sunday’s marathon in 5 hours and 38 minutes. By definition, that is not considered a speedy time, but it was about the journey and accomplishment for her.
Shauna also spoke about the discipline that she has in her writing. Since she is a writer by profession, she commits herself to writing every day without fail. When asked if she ever lacks inspiration or feels a “writer’s block,” she commented that because writing is her job, she needs to push past all of those kinds of thoughts. She explained that she takes her position very seriously so she lives in a way that feeds her needs of sleep, community, rest and exercise. She reads books that inspire her and she does all that she can to keep herself in a space of inspiration so that she can, in turn, inspire others.
Shauna’s talk got me thinking. Yes, my life is a bit of a challenge right now. Yes, this weight and exercise issue is the biggest pain to deal with now or at any other time. Yes, life could be easier. Yes, the weather could be warmer or cooler, sunnier or rainier. . . Do you see where I am going with this? My nutritionist Suzanne is a truth teller. She tells things as she sees them, but tries to break it to clients like me gently so that we don’t totally lose faith in ourselves or our capacity to change. I thought about Suzanne a lot tonight because she is the only person in my life who gently and lovingly tells me truth while encouraging me along the way. Thank goodness for her! I DO need to be like Nike and just do it! As I think back on my journey thus far, it is full of excuses without much marked progress. Don’t get me wrong, I think that I’m working it, but very SLOWLY.
Tomorrow is an important day for me. You may recall that I made a goal that by October 14, 2012, the day before my 49th birthday, I will have completed the yeoman’s share of my weight loss. There is much work to do and it is time for me to get to it. I’ll be walking more, eating less, and being mindful of my actions anew as I head to yet another beginning. In addition, I will not keep you hanging, my dear bleaders, as I’ve made a commitment to you to keep you in my loop. I’m glad that you’re here with me.
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