So I was reading my friend Marci's blog where she was talking about the importance of showing up and she inspired me to think about how I have been applying that to my own life. It is a relatively new concept for me at this time in my life. If you would have asked my mom what my nick name was while I was growing up, she would have told you they called me "Katie Go." If anyone was going anywhere, I wanted to go. For example, at five, my mom had a guest over who talked about how cute I was and that I should pack a bag so I could go home with her. Well, I did. I got a brown paper bag (she did say to pack a bag after all) from the kitchen and I was packed and ready to go when she was leaving. Now the disappointment I felt about finding out she was just being nice and I was not really invited to go, well, that is for another time, or maybe even therapy. ;) But anyway, my point is, I used to get out there. I showed up for anything I could, and I loved it. Somewhere along the way, I quit showing up. I'm not sure if it was because I started gaining weight, so I quit showing up, or if because I quit showing up, I started gaining weight. Hmmm, that is something to think about. Sounds like a chicken or the egg type of discussion.
So, I'm sure you're wondering how does this actually apply in my life now? Well, let me tell you. My new healthier way of life involves exercising. Since I prefer working out in the privacy of my home, so I started doing home exercise DVDs back in April. April 1st to be exact. It was a Monday, it was the first day of the month, it was actually a dieter's dream start date! Anyway, I will in no way ever say that I am an expert, or that I have all the answers, but what I do know is that every day (since April 1st) I showed up! How?? I have followed the workout plan that came with my DVDs and PUSHED PLAY! It didn't matter if I didn't feel like it, if I was tired, if I was sore, if I had something else I wanted to do, I still went into my workout room (my garage), put the DVD in the player and pushed play. There are days where I nailed my workout and I know it has made a difference, but there are days where if I look at it honestly, I mailed it in. But you know what? I still did it. And it made a difference too. I did more than I would have done by staying in bed or laying on the couch watching TV!
I think it is funny that it took me until I turned 45 to realize that I really did need to eat right and exercise if I was going to make lasting changes in my health and in my figure. I have been told that my whole life, but I always searched for the easy way, or the quick fix instead. Unfortunately, none of those were lasting. What I actually had to do was Show Up (in my garage) and Push Play. It has taught me that I CAN do it, and I am capable of making lasting changes in my life.
It is now my goal to bring along as many people as I can with me on this journey. I feel so much better, not only physically, but emotionally as well. Everyone deserves to feel this way! I'm ready to start Showing Up again at social events and not feel like I have to hide. I'm through with worrying about what other people might be thinking about me. I do know this change didn't happen overnight, and not even after the first month of working out steadily. But I do know that working out does make you a happier person. I don't know all the science, but it is something about releasing endorphins and some other mumbo jumbo like that. What I have learned is that I like SHOWING UP and I really do like my results from PUSHING PLAY.
So here is the deal. Maybe home workouts are not your cup of tea, maybe you love the gym, or the track, or the pool. What ever it is, it really doesn't matter, you just need to SHOW UP! Do YOUR best, and each time you go, your best will get a little bit better. All those small improvements will add up to big changes in your health - body and soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment