The Great Weight

You win (gain) some, you lose some. We all know how this story goes. If you have 20 lbs. to lose or 120 lbs. to lose, you been here. No matter how hard you try, you can never quite get it all off and be “perfect.” How can 3 numbers drive us so crazy? Why do they control us so much? Every morning I step on the scale, I step off the scale, I step on the scale again, I step off again, I step on again, I step off again. And I pick my favorite out of the 3 (Yes, I know I need a new scale). And let’s not forget that your bladder must be empty and all clothes must be removed. Don’t lie, you’ve done it before too. ;) It’s an obsession and it’s almost as unhealthy as the weight itself.  What we have to sit back and realize is that the number on the scale does not define who we are. It should never restrict you from the things that you want to do. It is not always an indicator of bad OR good health!

Let me just put it out there. I need to lose about 100 pounds to reach my “medically recommended” weight. However, I don’t have diabetes, I don’t have high blood pressure, the doctor says my cholesterol is “excellent”, no signs of arthritis, and the number of times I went to the doctor in the past 3 years for any sort of cold/cough/infection: 1 time. The only number that I have that is significantly raised is my weight. I’m the healthiest fat person I know! No, I’m not content with my weight. I obsess! I am fully aware that I’m not guaranteed that it will be this way forever. Other than my weight, yes I’m healthy. As I’ve started running, I’ve realized that in order to continue and pick up my pace and endurance, the weight has to come off.  Diets never work for me, so when I started running, I told myself that weight loss was not the main product, it’s just a feature. Instead of weight loss goals, I’ve set race goals. And it’s working. Setting these types of goals makes me accountable. Of course I’ve learned along the way that even if you’re running, the weight will not fall off unless you are also maintaining a pretty healthy diet. By shifting my focus on running and everything about running, I am slowly weening myself off of my drug of choice: food. Running has saved my life in so many ways. It’s given me my sanity back, allowed me to be exposed to a whole new realm of opportunities and ideas, taught me how to focus, taught me a little more about patience, introduced me to some very amazing people, and yes, even put me on a better road to life-long health. Losing weight takes time. Running keeps me busy while I’m waiting for the weight to come off, and if I keep running it might not seem like the wait is that long or the weight is that much. ;) And one day I’m sure I’ll be able to step on the scale and be in awe instead of obsession.

The Resolutionary War

I did my typical Tuesday routine today- went straight to the YMCA after work to get some time in on the treadmill and focus some time on my new venture of conquering the evil “Summit Climber” machine. Even though I spend most of my Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Cardio Room all by my lonesome, I knew today was going to be different. So I came prepared. Imagine me. Walking into this crowded workout room. The treadmills are roaring, the ellipticals are moving elliptically, and the stationary bikes are stationarily moving. And I’m decked out in every piece of running paraphernalia I could get my hands on. No mam. No sir. I was not going to be confused with the resolutioners in that room. I might not be a professional, but it was definitely not my first day at the rodeo. So me and my Turkey Burner 5K tech shirt, Garmin watch, Road ID, BIC Band in my hair, water bottle in my hand, and earphones in my ears, made our way to the only available treadmill, nestled in and started our workout. And then I tried Zumba for the first time ever and completely blew my cover. No matter how much stuff you have strapped to you to make yourself look like a seasoned pro, the magic is in your motion. Zumba moves cannot be imitated or replicated if you have 2 left feet and the inability to count to 8. These 2 things alone will scream amateur every time.

My husband called me a “New Year’s Scrooge” today, and there’s some truth to that. A lot of truth. Sure, I love midnight on December 31st when I get to kiss my husband and thank God for all the blessing I had over the past year, but I cringe when someone says “Happy New Year!” or “Have a happy New Year!” or the even more awful “See you next year” on December 31st. When is the year no longer new? Last year people were still telling me “Happy New Year” in February. Maybe they knew it rubbed me the wrong way or maybe they just didn’t realize the year is no longer new after about the 2nd week in January in my opinion. New Year’s resolutions have never really been my style. I’m the queen of procrastination, but I’ve never had the patience to put something off until the first of the following year. If I think I want to change something about myself and it strikes my fancy in the middle of, let’s say, June, I’ll start my change then. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I get the whole New Year’s resolution gig. New Year. Clean slate. Fresh start. Any day you decide to make a change about yourself for the better is a good day in my books, but if you can’t do it now, don't feel bad and certainly don’t think you have to wait until next year just because you missed the Weight Watcher’s sale or the discounted membership fee at your local gym. Changes don’t always have to occur on January 1st. You can make a change at any time in your life. And that’s the beauty of it.

So, as much as it pains me to say it, Happy New Year y’all! (Bah Humbug!)