How many times have you stopped and started a work out or healthier eating plan? I know I started and stopped so many times before something really clicked - I DO NOT WANT TO BE FAT! It's not just about looks or appearance, although I'd be lying to say at least some of my motivation isn't vanity. But when I was overweight, I felt like I was cheating myself out of life. I would avoid situations because I felt uncomfortable or out of place. I wouldn't try new things, especially new athletic things because I thought I can't do that or I'll look like the fat fool if I try. I would criticize my body, vow to change, make dramatic plans to stop eating this or that or run every day but then completely lack the follow through.

What changed? I wish I could say there was some magic thing, some pill or some epiphany moment that made the last time I decided to start being healthier the time that stuck. I can't say that. Or I could but I'd be lying. Truly the only thing I did was pick one simple thing and then drive myself to stick to it no matter what. For me, that was working out. I told myself that Monday, Wednesday and Friday I HAD to least show up to the gym and do 20 minutes of cardio after work. No matter what. Come hell or high water. I HAD to be there. It didn't make it easier to go, it just made it something I committed too and I was sick of letting myself down.
It took almost a year for that one commitment to be something I didn't have to think about all the time. And man were there ever days I just really didn't want to go. But I think deep down I knew that if I stopped, I'd just have to start again. I didn't want to start again, I wanted to keep going, to keep moving forward. Obviously over time I've gotten way more intense than just 3 sessions of cardio a week but that's where it started. And it started from a commitment to myself that this was THE LAST TIME I would be
starting.
So if you don't want to start again, don't stop!
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