MY FRIENDS!
Well, the last you heard from me, I was all set to walk roughly 30 miles in 30 days and then...crickets.
Am I right? How did you do?
My progress didn't go so well. For various reasons, guys. Excuses, Excuses, am I right?
Well, the good thing is, at least I got a post-idea out of the whole mess.
Aren't you so thankful for fresh starts and grace and the chance to just begin again?
Yes. Please. Forever and Ever Amen.
Well, this is what I've figured out so for...
Step One...
Realize that you are a terrible human being and then focus that energy for good.
Ha. I'm totally kidding on this one. If you've set a goal, and it's fallen flat, chances are, you're feeling pretty crummy. Let yourself feel crummy for a while. It's ok. That's kind of the point of setting a goal, right? You feel good when you meet it...you feel bad when you don't.
Right now, the idea of getting over this hump and setting some NEW GOALS for the winter has me feeling weirdly excited. Focus on the ideas below, and you can also find that strange balance of disappointment, excitement, and determination.
Let's be weird together. ;)
2. Stay the course. Think about your goal. Did you accomplish anything at all? My guess is...you probably did! And congrats! If your goal was to pay off all your debt by the new year, and you only made it half way, that's still cause for celebration! Keep doing what you're doing. It's working, my friend!
3. Find something to celebrate. In the midst of all this November Craziness, I did manage to up my vitamin game. I have been the Vitamin Queen these days.
You guys.
What should my crown look like?
...a crown made of vitamins?
Who's going to make it?
Can we hire these kinds of things out?
All this to say, my overall goal is to focus on my HEALTH so...I'm happy about that. Vitamin-taking was a habit I had really let fall by the wayside, but I'm back at it. Folic acid for days, y'all. ;)
4. Time travel. Uh... let's be honest. I worry about my weight and overall fitness level in general. When I think about giving up, I picture myself 30 years from now. Heavy. Tired. Bored. When times get tough and I don't think I'll ever find a way to maintain a healthy/active lifestyle, I think about Future Me, and she wishes that in my 30's, I would have found a way to make it work.
Powerful stuff.
Don't worry, Future Me...I'm comin' to the rescue!
So. What's next?
I went to the gym the other day, and it just felt really good. It feels good to be surrounded by people who care about the same thing you do- maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle.
My overall goal has been to "pick up momentum" in terms of exercise. I had a health coach tell me one time that "A body in motion stays in motion." It's so true.
I don't know that my momentum is back in full swing, but I do know that the ball is rolling...the wheels are turning, and such.
Good things are coming, and good things are already here.
Love and you can do it,
I'm in an Online Bible Study/Community Group with some Mighty Fine Ladies, and last week, we talked a lot about our blogs and becoming better writers in general.
We talked a little bit about "word vomit." While, I'm not a huge fan of that terminology...
and
It is a good way to describe, "Just Getting Things Down."
A lot of words in a small amount of time. Little to no editing.
And I thought I'd give it a whirl.
I don't want to give a lot of revealing details because I don't want to embarrass the ladies I'm about to (nicely) mention.
Last week, I went to an exercise class, and there were two really, really pretty girls in the front row.
They could have been gymnasts...or ballerinas...or movie stars. Fit. petite. tan. blonde. skinny.
I mean. Let's be honest, their attractiveness was noticeable.
So, I thought to myself, "What must it be like...to be the hottest girl in the room?"
And I know "hot" is a relative term. Tim would probably say, "They're too skinny."
And God bless Tim Young. He has a record of preferring "curvy" girls.
Hello. Have you seen me?
But in my book, they were hot.
And I realize...we all have different strengths. And I know I value "thin" and "pretty" waayyyy too much.
I feel like (maybe I'm exaggerating), but if someone could say, "Pick your weight." I would probably say, "Hi. I would like to weigh 95 pounds."
Even though I know my husband would not find that attractive (on me, personally. No offense to all you petite gals out there).
What does it say about me- the fact that I would rather look like what I think is "hot" rather than what my husband thinks is "hot?"
And I'm starting to think this whole "word vomit" thing was a bad idea. ;)
Why aren't I asking....
What is it like to be the most generous person in the room? The hardest worker? The most organized? The most financially responsible?
Like, I rarely say to myself, "She is so generous. I need to grow in that area." Or, "She is so well-read. I need to ask her for book suggestions."
But I often think, "I would pay $10,000 for her thigh gap."
And that makes me sad.
So. There we are.
I don't know. I need to try to value inner qualities more than I value the way other women look.
It's like...oh, you're pretty? Come sit by me.
You know...those surveys where they ask little girls, "Would you rather be smart or pretty?" And everyone is appalled because "OMG...96.8% of the little girls said they would rather be pretty and what is this nation coming to...we have to save the children!?!?!?"
You all.
I would totally pick "pretty." I KNOW the "right" answer is "smart." But I also believe you can handle anything as long as it is dealt with in honesty. Thank you to my friend, Susan Smith Riewerts for The Best Advice Ever circa 2007. ;)
Maybe that is the wrong question. Because it is possible to be both.
So. There's that.
Also, I've stopped getting on the scale (for now). Because the number is never good enough. If it ends in a 6, I BEG for it to end in a 5 and when it finally ends in a 5, I'm asking why the last number isn't a 4.
And that is not the pathway of Jesus.
Word vomit, word vomit. Hardy-har har.
When you see me accidentally going left when everyone else is going right it's because I'm actually writing blog posts in my head as I exercise. ;)
If we're going to compare, it should at least be in a healthy, well-balanced way, I suppose.
In other news...
Two weeks ago, I bought a pair of heels. I haven't owned a real-life pair of high heels in a long time. In fact, I remember trying some on about a year ago, and joking to the lady in the aisle,
"The year is 2013, and I'm no longer wearing heels."
In hindsight, I was tired. I don't mean "tired from shopping" or "just needed a nap."
You all.
I was tired.
And I think also a little depressed. And out of shape. Ha.
Do you get the idea or should I keep listing thangs'?
So. I bought heels. And I'm in love, I'm in love. And I am like, 2 months, "off the nail."
(I'm a 32 year old recovering nail-biter).
All good things.
I'm gonna be honest. I don't know how to end this...and I'm worried that I am making myself out to sound self-conscious and, as the kids are saying these days, "Cray cray." Read: Crazy. When, actually the opposite is true, I suppose.
So. Hooray.
In my next post, I'm going to be like, "HEY GUYS! LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW WELL BALANCED AND NORMAL I AM! EVERYONE ACT NATURAL!" ;)
One of the hardest parts about getting married is that sometimes, you will take a picture that you like of yourself...but your husband has one eye 1/2 way closed.
Tim Young. Get with the program.
So you will have to post one of each. ;)
Also, this dress is a size 14. I haven't worn a size 14 since Bush was in Office.
Hold my coffee while I cartwheel down this here hall... in my new heels.
Love and be kind.
