Friday, January 14, 2011

Things Change...

Day 15: Journey

~The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~ Lao Tzu

I started this "getting healthy kick" to help me run my dogs better in agility. To keep up with Lynn's running DW's. To look good in smaller jeans. You know, the normal reasons for working out :) No one ever starts working out because they want to be "enlightened"...or at least no one I have met :)

It has become SO much more than that. More than I actually ever thought...

Sure, I'm losing weight, just got into a smaller pair of pants again...my butt shrinks and my wardrobe increases :) But I have lots of little things to be grateful for.

For the first time since I moved to Minnesota, I don't have Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, or "the winter blues". Aka winter depression. It's an amazing feeling to look forward to each day, rather than thinking about how many days until the sun comes back :)

I can do several full push-ups, like 15 now! I am getting more limber and I am stronger. I get done running my dogs and I am not out of breath. I am not exhausted at a dog trial...I am running faster (I think) with my dogs too.

Things I was failing at, I am now being successful, exercises are becoming easier, I am getting more balance, more stamina, and more determination.

I want to push myself more :) Not just while exercising, but everything.

The feeling of sore muscles is now a welcome feeling, means I am challenging myself.

I have control over what I put in my mouth, Eating to Live, not Living to Eat.

Sure...I can't bend over some days from the pain in my a**, OR, if I do bend over I can't stand back up :) There are days that chocolate and sugar try to take over...but tomorrow is a new day. Times I want to quit, times I want to take a day or 3 off, times I feel I can't get through the workout.

But I always do. And it feels great. It has become my escape...a place that it's just ME, no dogs, no job, no winter, nothing but me...

I feel alive again. Gotta love that!

Who would have thunk it? :)

Sure, I'm still fat, but I am a limber, in control, determined, smaller butted, elightened, happy fat chick...

Regardless of wether I ever get to a size 2 or not...it's been an amazing journey so far :)

20 pounds down, so much more gained!

~ Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. ~ Greg Anderson

6 comments:

Robin said...

What you said. I started my journey 3 years ago. In fact my first fitness assessment was in 2007, so I guess it's coming up on four years now.

Once you start to get fitter the feeling is amazing. Like, how could people not want this feeling? Sure it can be hard at times. But I love how limber I am. How balanced I am (literally, as in, I used to not be able to stand on one foot to put my freaking pants on and now I can stand on one foot while lifting weights!)

I still struggle a lot with the food thing. I lost 35# and have slowly gained 15# back. I am determined to do better with food this year, with the goal of losing 25# by my birthday (May 10). I can do it.

The fitness? I cannot imagine giving it up. It is way, way too good a feeling to let go.

D said...

Wow! 20#!! That is AWESOME!! Congrats! Just the lack of S.A.D. must be worth the effort. I would've never guessed excercise would help something like that. You are very inspiring. Thanks for blogging about something so difficult for most of us!

Sarah said...

that is awesome Loretta!!

An English Shepherd said...

Well done :-)

Sare said...

Sounds like your endorphins are kicking in. They are the best thing ever. Mine kick in from running and after a good run I feel like I can do anything. Isn't it wonderful to have more control. Exercise can be fun, once you are in shape or semi-shape, starting is the hard part. Keep up the great work. Such an inspiration to read. 20#'s whoo hoo -take that Mr. McChicken!

Loretta Mueller said...

Oh Sarah...McChickens are still being consumed :) I don't let any food groups stay away :)