Imagine someone is offering you half a million dollars but the catch is you have to run 5 miles as fast as you can and you have to arrive within a certain time frame to get it. What if you are significantly overweight? What if you’ve never ran before? You aren’t prepared at all – no running shoes and certainly no training – Could you do it? You know full well that the money would change your life and the life of your family forever. Could that motivation be so powerful that you could beat the odds and earn your prize? Well if you want it badly enough IT IS possible. I believe that is the inner fire, the inner drive that is the force for success.
Now imagine that same offer. But imagine a mental and physical roadblock that is so complex that you can’t even get started to run for your prize. Your mind is racing, your heart is pounding and you want to run so badly but you Just. Cannot. Move. You know the stakes are high and so is the reward but the moment you are provided with this challenge it is as if you have just been dropped into quick sand. Your mind begins to panic because you want this so badly and you know deep down you are not a quitter. You reach out in various directions trying to find the one thing that will get you out and on your way.
To me, that is what my bouts of depression feels like.
I hope you understand how hard that is for me to write this. I hope you understand this is just one part of my battle to lose weight and gain my health. But as I will say each and every time I share something intimate with you – if it helps someone who is feeling the same then it was worth it!
The prize I am running for is my health and I will not quit no matter how many times I land in that quick sand. I will somehow dig myself out and move forward each and every time. Each time I feel like I am starting over but from every experience, every downfall I’ve learned something that has made me one step closer to getting my prize.
The beauty of this journey is that even at your weakest point you are actually getting stronger and more resilient. All you need to do is plant that seed in your head that I will not give up. When you fall learn to be kind to yourself and get back up. Tell yourself over and over – I WILL NOT GIVE UP!
I recently listened to the Tips of the Scale podcast featuring Mario Colao – and there was one specific quote he said that has been on constant repeat in my head ever since. Mario said “It’s not about being strong on the first day. It’s about being strong on your worst day.” At the very moment he said those words I realized that I am great at starting things with such zeal but let’s face it I really need to work on keeping them going and building habits for life if I want to succeed long term.
I’ve accepted the fact that I have short comings in this area and improving in this area needs to be my focus going forward.
Even though this month started off with a bang it seems to be coming to a close with a fizzle. Well what I have I learned from this? Well here are a few things I’ve learned along the way that have made me stronger and that help me focus and get back up.
If you are just starting out on your journey you may want to read up… I’ve already done some of the ground work for you!
1) Surround yourself with people you look up to and who will support you to achieve your goals.
2) Educate yourself! Ask a ton of questions. Don’t be shy, put yourself out there. Use the Google for god sakes! LOL So much amazing information out there at your fingertips.
3) When part B) becomes information overload, learn to step away and decompress. Me time is very important. Taking time to reflect on what’s working and what is not working is crucial.
4) Work hard, really hard. Dive into doing things you never thought were possible and take chances. Trust me, this is probably the most rewarding piece of advice I will ever give someone.
5) Take care of your body. When your trainer tells you to stretch, listen! If you have benefits at work (massage, naturopath etc) USE THEM! If you are going to really push your body you need to help it recover.
6) Finally, reach out when you are in need of support (I’m still working on this one!) And be the helping hand when someone needs you.
This month’s recap isn’t going to include my weight
or measurements. I think the numbers game really got to me this month and I’ve decided to let go of knowing those details until it feels right again. I think my trainer (and friend, Adina) saw what I really needed to redirect my focus and requested I hand in my scale to her and so I did. One helping hand while I was in need = one foot in the right direction.
September will be a month to regain my focus. I feel a little beat up right now so I am just going to go with the flow and I am ok with that. I have a plan to keep active and have a support system to keep me accountable.
So until next month – remember to keep smiling and get off that couch!
Before April 2013, Angelina was a typical couch potato. A family health crisis provided a wakeup call, and she is now easing her way into the health & fitness world. Angelina enjoys paddle boarding, running, Crossfit, Zumba, kayaking, and more. 
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