We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. ~ Aristotle
This particular quote inspired me to get my butt out of bed this morning, despite the nagging pain in my heel (I fear planters fasciitis or a heel spur) and go for a 2.85 mile walk with Josh and the dogs. I have been known to make any excuse under the sun as to why I can't exercise in the morning - using anything from back pain to period cramps to a broken nail to the bubonic plague - you name it - I came up with it - as long as it would allow me to stay in bed and be a lazy ass.
But over the course of the past few weeks, I have been walking rather faithfully with my husband in the morning ( I think I literally ran out of excuses and was starting to feel pathetic and frankly more than a little bit of an ass when my husband kept asking so nicely if I wanted to come along with him), and while it took me some getting used to, it is now pretty much routine. Yesterday my foot was really bothering me so I begged a reprieve for the day, which Josh conceded to. However, all day long I felt so damn guilty for not going so last night when he asked if I'd like to go for a bike ride - how could I say no? I'm not saying we did the Tour de France, but we got in over 4 miles so I felt pretty good about that.
In the past when I gave my half-assed attempts at weight loss, I would work out sporadically and get irritated when the scale didn't cooperate, when really, I shouldnlt have been surprised at all by it's lack of movement. I mean, why should the scale move when I wasn't willing to? Who could blame it? Now I realize that exercise isn't negotiable in this process - it is a must - and it is something that I will need to continue doing the rest of my life, not just until I reach my goal.
I found this great blog post about making exercise a habit that gives some good common-sense advice on what to do if exercise isn't exactly second nature to you yet. This has always been a struggle for me, as I'd sort of do it here and there but not consistently enough to make it feel like it was natural part of my everyday schedule. I am happy to say that is changing and I am embracing exercise more and more. There have been times in my life when I have been a member at a gym and really enjoyed it. Last night I took the first steps to becoming that person again by calling the local gym and signing up for a seven day free membership. I am pretty sure I will end up joining - it is something I have wanted to do for a while now.
In the meantime, I just continue to keep on, keeping on.... I have to remind myself, this is not a race. This is for life.
I think the key is consistency and finding something you enjoy doing. I would love to be a runner but my knees have issues with that. Last year I started cardio kickboxing and I can't even tell you how much I look forward to going every week. Hope you find something you love to do and your feet feel better soon. I had severe planter faciatis pain at my heaviest and it has completely gone away now. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of your accomplishments so far Rochelle..no matter how small they may seem to you, they are HUGE in this marathon you have begun. There is no competition in this "race"...you are your biggest competitor! Each day you set out to challenge yourself to something new, or maybe "I am going to add 5 extra minutes to my walk today." Don't compare your day to day accomplishments to anyone or anything but yourself. Every fruit and vegetable you buy, pushes out the Tostitos and the other trigger foods that were your"friends" for years. Every mile you walk or bike is more than what you did before! And all these new behaviors are your new friends, and the more time you spend with them the more you(and your body) like them. The more you want to spend time with them. And the more they like you!! I support you, in all you set out to do in improving your health and losing weight. You are taking small steps towards a healthier, happier life! It is an amazing transformation that "aweights" you--With love, one of your greatest life supporters, Sheryl.
ReplyDeletePS- And one piece of unsolicited advice: don't weigh yourself everyday or even every other day. There are day to day fluctuations in fluid retention that can be perceived as a "setback" or "mini-victory". Weigh yourself once a week, same time, same place in the same fashion..ahem, after you know what. That will give you the most true and accurate weight. Then celebrate your success!!