Decision to Tri: April 2012

Why "Taking Care of Me?"

April 16, 2011 marked a new starting point for me. My sweet husband surprised me with a trip to a health spa, Fitness Ridge to be exact. It was literally life-changing, but didn't have the immediate results I, and I presume everyone else, expected to see. We watch The Biggest Loser and are amazed by their quick transformations and think- finally a difficult yet good way to finally lose the weight. Don't get me wrong I did start losing weight, but more importantly I started the journey to taking better care of me. That gift, when I remember to apply it, has been so vital in changing so many aspects of my life. Taking care of ourselves doesn't always look like spas, facials and massages. Rather it looks more like taking the time to cut those vegetables; getting a little less sleep to make it to the early morning spin class; taking the 5-10 minutes to pray and meditate at the end of the day. All because these things are really what taking care of ourselves look like.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Actually, I CAN!

Before I went to Fitness Ridge (FR from here on out), I realized I would be working out 7-8 hours a day and I would have to change my mind-set about working out if it wouldn't be utterly miserable. I had always just endured my workouts, but I wanted to dig deeper. Why did I devote so much of my free time in high school to running grueling miles- because I loved soccer. I loved the camaraderie of a team, the thrill of a game and the excitement of a good play. I wanted that back. And I got it!

I realized I could do hard things- my mantra has become since that point, "Actually, I CAN!" I can find the time to workout even when I wouldn't have otherwise. I can run when I want to walk. I can learn to swim laps and enjoy it. I can (and did 9/18/11) compete in a triathlon.

My fitness isn't perfect and I have weeks were I miss ALL of my workouts, but I realize the importance and how much I do love it. Now on to the next big hurdle...