It's been one year since I decided that I was going to take control of my own life. It is so easy to sit back and let life happen to you. It so easy to think that you do not have a choice in what you do everyday. But the reality of it is... No one cares but you! If you didn't go to work your boss would hire someone else, if you didn't pay your rent, the land lord would rent to someone else. If you didn't drive your car, someone else would. It's that simple, you actually choose each and everyone of those things along with many many more, little everyday choices. So last year I chose to take control of who I was and where I was going. In short, I made me my #1 priority. Now let me clarify this does not mean I became a selfish jerk! I simply realized I could be happier and be a better person for this around me and those that I cared for if I was happy with me first!
The first thing I did was start respecting my body. I started fueling myself with healthier more nutritious food. I started working out 3 times a week, and running when I could. Prior to these decisions I had been working very hard at all the wrong things. I would run for an hour and eventually I ended up with a hurt knee. I would not eat breakfast and if I could Id skip lunch too. No wonder my body was rejecting me, I was torturing it and never giving it any reward! So believe it or not, when I first started I actually felt like I was working out less and eating more.... well it wasn't that I felt this way, it was that it was. Oh and trust me I was scared! I doubted my own plan. But that is where the second choice and second component came in. Secondly, I was not aloud to be mean to myself. I was to treat me how I would treat others and tell myself what I would tell them. And as many of us know, its a lot easier to tell someone how to do something right then actually doing it. Its amazing how we can know the truth or have substantial knowledge in an area yet some how think, well that is true for everyone... except me. I tell my clients eat small meals, recover, and don't stress..... but ha, me I can do those things, I need to do those things.... Coo Coo! wrong-o! So I started telling myself I deserve these things. The first thing I deserved was to fallow my dream to travel, and what do you know the opportunity arose. It is amazing how when you want something and are willing to work for it those things manage to come around. I was lucky enough to travel to Europe not only to travel but I was tagging along with my brother and several AMAZING runners. Its crazy! an opportunity doing my favorite thing, in places I want to go, with awesome people! Sounds almost too good to be true right! but it was true. This was the avalanche that would perpetuate me into the strength and courage that I would find to launch me into the next chapter of my life. I realized if you want something all you have to do is choose to make it happen. I am saying choose for a reason because you can want something, you can wish for something, but by acknowledging that its a choice, you are also acknowledging that is on your own accord. You choose, You make it happen. At the time of my trip I was choosing to let the lessons of others seep into my train of thought and eventually my being. That is one great thing about athletes, they have learned a lot of lessons. Lessons about hard work, about confidence, about prioritizing, about wanting! Athletes WANT things... They want to win, they want to work hard so they can win, they want to be the best, they want to try their hardest. They want those they care about around them, but they are not going to put aside their wants, because they know when they are at their best, it is the best for everyone around them. I could write a whole blog alone on what I have learned from the amazing athletes I have been so lucky to know and call friends but Ill save that for another day. When my trip was over I came home and kinda thought, wow that was easy! All I did was want something and be willing to work for it and it happened. While this whole mental transformation was going on, I was also physically transforming as well. You see, these things go hand in hand. I was taking care of me, which also meant I knew I needed rest and good nutritious food, as well as working out in a healthy way. By the fall I was ready to race again! It had been almost a year since I had raced without pain in my knee and I was super excited and proud of myself. I started running with a group of girls and working out between clients. Shortly after that I decided I was going to train for a track season. as the months went on I trained and focused on doing what makes me happiest and feel good, before I knew it I was in the best shape of my life, all because I was choosing healthy things that make me happy. Now, I know running isnt what makes everyone happy, but I believe that there is something positive out there for everyone, you just have to find it and go with it. In short what I am saying is, what ever it is you love do it! Make yourself happy! It is really healthy for you! I reached my current weight at about 6 months, I have maintained it and my healthy lifestyle for about 6 more. The crazy thing is I rarely think about it. I mean of course when your with the girls there is the occasional "OMG I ate way to much last night lets do some abs" kinda stuff but mostly I attribute my success to making the choice to be more positive, respect myself, and surround myself with people who do the same! It really is amazing what can happen in one year! So I know this one got a little long and a little ramble-ly but here is to One year! One day, one year, one life! Do the best you can, but most importantly love and respect yourself! (side note) I am racing this weekend! I chose this race because it is one of my favorites and no matter how I do I can see how far I have come since this time last year! Thank You to all those who have been with me in spirit and in person! May we continue to grow and find our real TRUE selves!
1 Comment
Joy
5/7/2014 02:49:43 am
I am so Proud of You - Not only for your accomplishments but for being the Great Person I always knew You Were and Most of All for Sharing the Love You have for Yourself with Others.
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