It started with the alarm at 5AM. I woke up groggy and just physically rundown. I don’t know if I didn’t sleep well or my body getting used to the lower calories but this was the most tired I’ve felt in a while. I could have skipped my morning workout, I could have slept another hour, I could have went to Starbucks and got a big coffee. I could have found an excuse… but I didn’t.
Work was a nightmare. My boss is out of town so I’m holding down the fort the best I can. Everything is falling apart. My Boss’s boss invites me to lunch. I’ve committed to staying strictly to my plan for the first month. “But this is a networking opportunity”, “It’s a free meal”, “You could just go with him to test your willpower by ordering only healthy items”. I could have found an excuse to go… but I didn’t.
Finally home at 6PM! What the?? Two kids yelling at each other, and the third one’s crying. Now my headache is getting worse. Dinner is served; I’m done in 15 minutes. Great healthy meal but for some reason I still feel like I’m starving. The kids are still disputing (calmly now) but I’m getting pissed off at them and need to let it out. I can’t take it anymore! There’s a convenience store 5 minutes away. I can get my old standby dessert; a cherry filled pie, a Hershey chocolate bar, and a cream soda to wash it all down. Hey I deserve it right? Look at the day I’ve had. It’s only one night and I can start fresh tomorrow. I went through all the excuses; I had all the reasons to do it… but I didn’t!
Instead I tried something different. I apologized to the kids for yelling at them and explained I’m just having a bad day. I put on some workout clothes and I went downstairs. I cranked up some hellacious tunes and I move my elliptical trainer as fast as I could for as long as I could. 30 minutes and 2.5 miles later I could barely catch my breath. I was dripping in sweat, my headache was gone, and I was overcome by a huge sense of accomplishment.
I’m not naïve to think that I’ve instantly changed into a new person, and I certainly know that not all days will end this way, but yesterday, for one day I didn’t let the excuses win! (Small victories #7, 8, 9, and 10).
Stay Strong
[Photo: Flickr / bottled_void]
A long series of small victories and you win the race :)
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a phenomenal post, FD. You're in tune with yourself on some amazing levels, my friend. You cranked up your importance level at every turn--and not only that, you were able to step outside of yourself and assess the situation--and realize what was happening and what you could do to finish the day strong. Congrats!!! That feeling you felt when you dropped in bed for the evening--that feeling, Sir--is where it is---it's the sweet spot along this road.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sean! I have to admit, that feeling I had when I got to the end and realized that I made it, was something I hadn't experienced in quite some time. It won't be all roses, I'll stumble some along the way, but this was something I definetely needed early on! Thanks for reading!
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