It has been a little over 365 days since I began this new life project.
And this week saw some happy achievements.
I reached twenty kilos in my weight loss & to celebrate......
I ran eight kilometres- my furthest distance ever- in just over 50 minutes
I am NO expert on exercise but rather a person bumbling along trying hard to keep my friendship with health going.
I have learnt to truly LOVE this part of my life. Me & health are aiming to be friends for a long, long time.
Here is what I have learnt over the last year & a bit and I am sure I still have a LOT to learn
- it never ever gets easy.
No matter HOW fit you are there are some days where your legs feel like lead, you just don't have the mojo and just really can't be arsed.
- you never ever GET the desire to exercise.
It was a revelation to me - and probably the one single thing that prompted me to start moving- when I realised that NO-ONE ever has the desire to exercise. The difference is that some people DO exercise and some people DON'T.
- sweat really is your friend.
I spent most of my adult life resenting sweat. It was an outward reminder of how unhealthy I was. Now I have learnt to like it (I know......weirdo!). It feels as if it is a reminder that my body is working hard at melting the bad away. Flushing it out.
I know my skin always feels AMAZING after running- all those pores getting a good clean!
I know my skin always feels AMAZING after running- all those pores getting a good clean!
- there will be times when life gets in the way & you fall off the horse.
Don't panic. That is when some of us feel like failure and give up all together. It's ok. Life sometimes throws curve balls- work gets busy, we get sick etc, etc. Accepting that sometimes there will be breaks and just getting back on the horse when you can is A-OK. You'll feel a little rusty but thats ok.
- be kind to yourself.
ALWAYS. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. find one thing that positive and say it to yourself at those times when you are being too tough. Eat that piece of cake! It's ok not to be perfect.
- find good people who support you
Find a great support network. One that you can ask 'stupid' questions, one that will champion you when you do something great, one that won't belittle you when you make a mistake but instead cheer you on to get back up. It really does make a HUGE difference. It could be a training partner, a friend or a group of people.
- it should be just another part of your everyday life
I think it needs to be a part of your life just as taking a shower, eating lunch or brushing your teeth is. I never really understood this before. It felt like something 'other' people did. It should be something ALL of us do - whether that be in doing incidental everyday exercise, or doing a physical job or fitting in planned exercise into our day.
- practising mindfulness is key
This goes hand in hand with exercise. It is about being considered in everything we do. Taking notice. Not just letting things slip us by. Be active in how you live your life- by that I am not talking about moving, but rather being ENGAGED. I also meditate at the end of every exercise session.
- be grateful
I was exercising the other day and I looked around me and saw so many people- all shapes, all ages, all abilities out doing their thing. It made me smile. I felt grateful that despite not taking the greatest care of my body for a long time that it still looks after me and is doing a GREAT job at helping me move.
Now I am putting my feet up, ordering take-away after a VERY busy week and looking forward to watching this film again with our big two.
We have been on a bit of a Wes Anderson Marathon love-in at our place. Well how can you not be really?
We have been on a bit of a Wes Anderson Marathon love-in at our place. Well how can you not be really?
Go chick! They are HUGE achievements - both the physical and mental ones. Love your comments about not loving exercise. I am swimming at the moment. Every day. Couple of kms each time. And I hate it. I do it because I am capable and it comes easily to me. I love how it makes me feel but I find it tedious and boring. Doing it because the pool is currently open, and I CAN swim. Hoping that this is my kick start for the rest of the year. Running is next.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Because as an ex swimmer sweating feels like exercise. 20 kgs. That is sensational xxxxx
Far out woman - 20kgs. 8kms! woweee you are amazing xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ruth. That is a wonderful and inspiring achievement. I have fallen off the wagon badly in the last 12 months and Monday I get back on and become someone who exercises again instead of someone watching others. It's time xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Alli. It really as a revelation when I realised NOBODY loved exercise. Sooooooo free-ing!I didn't need to envy the people that did it anymore but join them in hating it but DOING it
ReplyDeletethanks B.
ReplyDeleteslowly slowly over a long period of time I have taught myself how to do it. It has been as much a Mental exercise as a Physical one.
Thanks Suz. I am proud of myself. The horse is very forgiving when you hop back on ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm keen to buy Damon Young's new book on exercise and philosophy - about how moving our bodies is about wholeness and enjoying our whole humanity. I need to reset my attitude to exercise and this looks like just the book. You might like it too.
ReplyDeleteThat's so unbelievably wonderful, Ruth. You really are taking charge. You deserve the lot. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post....I've had a lightbulb moment....I don't need to like doing it, I don't even need to feel motivated....I just need to drag myself out of bed when the alarm goes off and DO IT.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration
cheers Kate
oh YAY if it has helped you in some way! that is SO GREAT! I'll be cheering you on. xx
ReplyDeletethankyou. xx
ReplyDeletesounds really interesting! i will have a look for it! thankyou. x
ReplyDeleteSuch awesome advice Ruth! And lots of it could be applied to all areas of life not just exercising.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your milestones- enjoy your Friday night xx
Well done :-) I'm on a similar path.. I not only want to be able to keep up with my kids and husband but I want this for myself, I want to feel 'whole' and have space in my life that is just for me - not just being mum, wife, worker etc... I took up Pilates almost a year ago and my teacher a few months back asked the class if we enjoyed exercise and that's when it dawned on me, Pilates even though it's exercise I love it and it doesn't actually feel like exercise to me.. Even though I hurt like hell afterwards it's also relaxing and because the classes are small it's also social - win win for me!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on coming so far and keep going strong!
A bit of reflection on recent achievements, some wisdom and Wes Anderson...a lovely way to end the week Ruth x
ReplyDeleteIsn't running just amazing?! It took me two years to shed (never say lose, it's not lost thank you very much, I certainly do not want to find it) 28kg and to morph into a runner (without anyone chasing me with a knife). Good on you!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you are getting You back,congratulations hon.I also agree with mindfulness it brings things into perspective and helps you calm your thoughts.Well done Ruth xx
ReplyDeleteI love your reflections Ruth! you are so inspiring and congratulations on such wonderful achievements. How was your youngest starting school this year? Reading your post has made me realise I need to put my exercising into perspective and whilst we are at a crazy time in our lives, i can't be hard on myself when I can't do it, but I can find other ways (when you have 13 acres there is a lot of incidental exercise so I've learnt!). much love! b xx
ReplyDelete