Getting a Tune-up is Important

Well, I don't think it's any great secret after my last few posts that I was taking some "time off for bad behavior". What I didn't realize was that I wasn't feeling like myself during that time, I felt bad. Because I felt bad, I would continue to keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting that at some point things were going to change and I would feel differently (does that sound familiar to anyone?) Yes, that is the definition of "insanity" (whether or not Einstein was actually the one to define it, is up for debate, but it's true, regardless of who coined the phrase). And that was me, driving around all over the place, like a kid on a bumper car grid. No goals, no end in sight, just out there for the hell of it. I didn't really equate my actions with how I was feeling. Then, I finally got the hell off the bumper cars (I mean really, what in the world is the appeal for self-inflicted whiplash, anyway?) I started paying attention again (in the world of Weight Watchers, it's this little activity known as "tracking"), I started challenging myself with monthly fitness goals, I started writing again (hey, yes...nice to see all y'all again!). In other words, I started acting like the myself again.

When I say that I was acting like "myself" again, I don't mean the "me" who would come home Friday after work and not leave the house (or even open the door) again until Monday. Not the "me" who would consume a breakfast that would feed a family of three. Not the "me" who couldn't walk to the mailbox. No, she's gone. For good. No matter how much "time off for bad behavior" I take, she's never coming back. I rediscovered Me 2.0. The one who does 5Ks and Half Marathons, the one who isn't afraid to sweat, the one who feels good physically because she feels good emotionally and vice versa. When I got my groove back (OK, it's a process. Technically, I'm still getting my groove back), I noticed I felt better during Orangetheory classes, I felt better on the bike rides, I felt better just getting up in the morning. Yes, taking care of your mind, body and soul makes it easier to take care of your soul, body and mind.

In other words, what I've really learned is that when I'm not feeling quite right, when something feels off, I should listen to my inner voice (no, not the one begging for Red Velvet Cheesecake) telling me to take care of myself. It is important take a look at what you are doing or not doing, examine what habits you lost or picked up — get a tune-up. Your body is the most important vehicle you will ever have, make sure that nothing gets in the way of your ability to keep it in mint condition. Treat it like Cameron's dad's Ferrari in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. You are not a bumper car stranded on an electric grid, destined to give someone whiplash. No, you are a magnificent piece of Italian machinery, built for excitement and the freedom of the open road. You can only drive with the engine light on for so long before permanent damage is done and no vehicle can perform in peak condition without the proper care. 

Driving A Stick Shift

Have you ever tried to drive a stick shift? It’s a craft that is not practiced much these days, as automatic transmissions clutter new car lots across the nation. Well, at least here in the States. I’m sure it’s different around the globe where driving is still considered an art form, not merely a means of getting from point A to point B. Anyway, I personally do not know how to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, I mean I guess I could figure it out if I were in a dire situation where that knowledge was needed, but I haven’t mastered the technique. Once, I had someone try to teach me, but I just couldn't get it. It’s not that he was a bad teacher– he was actually very patient – and considering we were using his vehicle, it could have turned ugly. The fact is, I was a bad student. I wasn't ready to learn what he wanted to teach. I just was not in the right mindset to learn the intricacies of driving a stick shift. Now, had I been in the right frame of mind, I bet I would have thoroughly enjoyed the lessons and the experience. Whenever you are going to do something outside of your comfort zone, you have to be both mentally and physically ready to accept the challenge and I just wasn't.

However, yesterday, I didn't just step outside of my comfort zone, I took a giant leap beyond it! With all the walking I do, I felt that it was time to push my limits and do a half-marathon. The longest distance I’d walked while “training” for this monumental goal was 9.5 miles. I was nervous going into the Sarasota Music Half Marathon since I hadn't actually walked 13.1 miles yet. Was I prepared for this mentally? Was I prepared for this physically? I wasn't sure. Not knowing what was in store for me, I anticipated finishing around 3 hours and 45 minutes or averaging about a 16 minute mile, and I would have been happy with that. As it turned out, I exceeded my own expectations! I finished in just under 3 hours with an average pace of about a 13.50 minute mile. I absolutely shocked myself! If I had not been in the right frame of mind and had not taken the right steps to be physically prepared, I probably would have given up just as I did when trying to learn how to drive a stick shift. Sometimes, your brain is even more prepared than your body even realizes. I fully intended on walking the majority of the race, after all, that’s what I do on my long Sunday walks. I had no idea that I would be so physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. Not only was I more than prepared, but I am determined that when I do it next year, I’ll do even more running! Now that I know what to expect, I will be able to do proper training. 

Taking on a challenge is all about timing. No matter what it is that you are looking to do, if your heart and your head aren't in it, my advice is to not begin. If you’re not properly prepared and you don’t see signs of success (or the only thing you think you see is failure), chances are, you will grow discouraged and quit. Being able to overcome the fear of the unknown and interpreting failure as merely an obstacle on the path to success, that’s when you know you are ready to take on the greater challenges. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, I know that. Life has setbacks, but it’s how we deal with those setbacks that allows us to achieve greater things than we could have ever imagined.

Don’t be the bad student with a good teacher, like I once was. Dig deep and find that higher gear that you never knew you had and achieve greatness. You are worth the effort it takes to be awesome!

Navigating the Holidays

I’m sorry that I've been slacking, things are just crazy busy for me! Trust me, it’s not that I’m not interested in keeping my eyes on the road, I just haven’t had time to really focus on what matters, and that’s a most unfortunate thing. But now, with Thanksgiving behind us, Hanukkah starting last week, Christmas this week, culminating with the binge drinking and binge eating event otherwise known as New Year’s Eve, I just figured it was time to examine where I am on the map. After all, isn't the end of the year the best time for reflection? Looking at where you've been this past year in order to plan where you are going for next year.

I had to ask myself a few questions: 

Where have I been? Well, in 2014, I logged about 1846 miles worth of walking this year (with yet another week to go, I should end somewhere close to 1900 miles), hit my goal weight, had my story featured on CNN.com, appeared on the TV show “The Doctors” and was interviewed for Fitwoman.com, so all in all, 2014 was a great year. 

Where am I going? No one knows what the future holds, but I do know that I will be focusing more on my passion in 2015. This weight loss journey has not only inspired the birth of this blog, but it has also given me the spark I need to put myself out there as a writer. I expect that spark to grow into a much larger, brighter flame this upcoming year. I will most definitely be making time to nurture that spark in 2015! 

How do I keep moving forward? It’s not easy to stay on track, especially this time of year, but there are little reminders—road signs, if you will— that I come across on my journey. It’s those little signs that help me stay focused. For instance, at my meeting this past Saturday, one of my awesome meeting friends gave me a custom Christmas card telling me how I inspire her to continue on. It was the best feeling, knowing that what I've done, and continue doing, helps others. When I started back in 2011, my goal wasn't to inspire others, I was lucky if I could inspire myself, but as I have attested many times right here on this blog, I get my inspiration from those who surround me. That is how I keep moving forward! 

How do I navigate these holidays? I can’t believe it, but the Holiday season will be over before long and knowing that I have the tools and trusting in the awareness to keep my eyes on the road ahead is what helps me stay the course. One thing Margie the Magnificent is fond of saying is “they are called ‘HoliDAYS’, not ‘HoliMONTHS’!” Meaning, we are allowed to celebrate the day, but don’t let it continue on for the entire month of Octovember (also known as October, November and December)! We've all worked too long and too hard for a derailment this close to the end of the year.

I've found that self-reflection and self-awareness always seem to be my two best road trip buddies. Usually, I typically lose focus when I ignore who I am and what I’m doing. Self-doubt and self-recrimination are the worst possible traveling companions for any journey. The best thing I've ever done was leave those two along the side of the road somewhere, and never look back. Besides, I just didn't have enough room in the car to keep carrying them along. 

How will you answer the questions? Will you be able to find your spark in the new year? That is my Christmas wish for you...live your passion and may you never have a wasted day. 

I most likely will not be posting again until next year, so to all of you out there, have a very Merry Christmas and a brilliant and blessed New Year! 

Safe travels into 2015! Cheers!