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| My 2012 Warrior Dash Finishing Medal |
It is so funny that many of us focus on the first day of life events. Some sad such as the first day of the loss of a loved one, first day a beloved friend moves across the world, or even the first day of a terminal diagnosis. Some happy events such as the first day of marriage, first day of giving birth and seeing your child for the first time, first day of a job... and definitely THE FIRST DAY OF A DIET. In putting things in perspective, many of us fear these "firsts," but things start to get easier by the second day (even though it may be slightly hard to measure).
While it is hard to control some "firsts" I may experience, I have found that I am in total control of the first day of a change in eating habits or in changing a fitness regimen. I know that I am not the only person who puts off the beginning of something that will have such a positive impact on my energy and health... by why is it so hard to start these things? ............... Internal Conflict and Change.
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| Thanksgiving race |
One of Merriam Webster's definitions of conflict is a "mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands."
This topic of conflict was actually discussed at work this week and we discussed how not all conflict is a bad thing. I think that as it relates to starting a healthy path, one needs to realize where the conflict lies and how to best deal with it mentally/interally. You have to get your mind right first. Then comes requisite of change.... or becoming different.
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| Completion of Columbus Half Marathon |
Change is hard, but with the practice adapting or conforming to new expectations helps us to deal with the inevitable. The conflict must be resolved internally first, so that the changed can be embraced bit by bit. Whether it is figuring out how to live with a mate for the rest of one's life, figuring out how to be a parent without instructions, dealing with dynamics of new co-workers, how to get through life after the passing of a grandmother, creating a new daily routine without one's bestie, or even navigating life after finding out death is more eminent that previously planned ... we get through it and are better for it.
So now that I have gotten through my first day of my JC journey and the first day of returning to the gym after many months... I am adapting. Earlier in the year (last year) I tried to just change my behaviors with the hopes that my internal conflicts would resolve on their own, but it did not work out. Now I have had the chance to think about my motivation and what was wrong with attempting change from the wrong frame of mind. I now feel more confident that success is the only outcome I can accept.
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| JC Butternut Squash Ravioli (with added bell peppers) |
Change is on the horizon ..... I have even decided to sign up for a 5K and a Half Marathon later this year. Some may say that I am jumping off of the deep end... but I feel that I am right where I belong, as I used to run (really jog) races all the time... 2018 is MY year and I am reclaiming MY health.
Just to bring it back to Jenny for a moment, I would like to share my scrumptious butternut squash ravioli that I enhanced with some yellow, orange, and red peppers... may I say delish. I am also starting to eat (yucky) bananas to fill some nutritional gaps.
Wish me luck... Better yet, I GOT THIS!!
