It is that time of year when everyone is working on resolutions for the next year. Not me. Resolutions always fail. Resolutions fail for most people because there is no plan to back it up. We also see January as a time where we need to make a change and there is so much hype and then by February you fall flat on your face. Plans fall flat because often times you are biting off more than you can chew. People will resolve to workout every day for 30 minutes, when they had no base to start with. After the first couple weeks we realize it's too much, so rather than adjust the plan or goal, we quit instead. Resolutions almost always revolve around one thing: Weight Loss. It takes time to change your body, and you must be KIND to yourself. I will explain that later.
This next year will be about doing what is right for my body. I have spent the last several months watching health documentaries which is one thing that motivates me to shop better at the store and continue to put one foot in front of the other. We all know the difference between right and wrong, and treating ourselves with kindness or ridicule. We can start out with a passion for health and wellness but then what happens when the passion begins to run out? Did right or wrong change? Of course not. At a recent staff meeting, my principal told us about a podcast he was listening to, and the man said just that: Eventually your passion for teaching may run out, but the difference between right and wrong never changes. His point? Right and wrong trump passion. You may start teaching with passion, but when that begins to go away, you know you still have to do what is RIGHT. This supports my point of treating yourself well. Resolutions are packed with a ton of passion, but when things get hard, we often walk away. Are you being kind to yourself by giving up on yourself?
We are given one body in this life. Treat yourself with respect. Don't fill your mouth with sugar and salt. Your body can't process it without hurting you. I read a while ago that sugar is up to 8 times more addictive than cocaine. (This is backed up in many places) That's why you cant just eat one cookie. (And if you can, please post some advice below!) Be kind to yourself. Diet pills are a dead end and could hurt you short term or long term. Watch your plate, move more. I know more than anyone that it is not always that simple, but looking at your plate is a huge indicator of what your body looks like both outside and inside. Sugar is addictive and offers no heath benefits, but does contribute to many health problems.
Meghan Trainor said it best, "I'm all about that bass. . ." This translates to training too. "Success is all about that base." A plan starts with base building which keeps you from hurting yourself. It starts you with a base in which you will slowly build week after week until the big race. Smaller races are often thrown in THOUGHTFULLY in order to reach peak performance by the time you do your "A" race.
Today I woke up and thought, "It starts today." I got out of bed, took the dogs for a walk, drank a glass of water, and put on Beachbody's T25 workout. I completed the first video called "Cardio". It is a program that I purchased just before summer vacation and was able to stick with for only a few weeks. Looking back, it was the passion that I lost. Also, a common problem I have is with consistency. I have been like this for as long as I can remember. I am easily bored and prefer to do my workouts outside, but I realized something today. I can still do T25 and do my other workouts, since my official plan for Ironman Maryland doesn't start until the beginning of April. Once Ironman workouts begin, I will not have much time to dedicate to supplemental workouts since everything in the IM plan will be so focused. Also, I don't want to burn out.
School is out until January 4th, so I am going to take the time from now until then to treat myself well, get focused on my health and wellness, and get ready to tear down some walls! The short term goal (which is a big one) is to drop my weight down to the next "tens" by the time school starts. Again, my plan from now until then includes consuming simple foods and moving more. In fact, as I write this, I am sitting in my workout clothes because I was so inspired write this while I was excited about it! I hope that my excitement to treat myself well will leap off the computer screen and inspire you to start doing something nice for yourself.
My best advice can be summed up this way: Surround yourself with people who support your goals and dreams. There will be haters, people who want to bring you down, and those who are jealous of your success. There are also people out there who want nothing but the best for you, those who will look past your flaws, and those who will be with you every step of the way. THOSE people are the ones who you need in your life.
Carry on my friends. . .
Carry on my friends. . .
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