The first 30 minutes were grueling. My legs seemed heavy, and I was having a difficult time finding a comfortable rhythm. Quickly, that little voice in my head began to encourage me to just give up. “You are tired,” it said. “It won’t hurt you to wait another day to start back!” As I concluded that first mile, I stepped off the treadmill. Some days, the most difficult thing to do is “keep on, keeping on!”
My lungs and legs seemed content with the choice, my brain, on the other hand, was screaming at me! “Get back on the treadmill, you wimp! Quitting is not an acceptable choice.” So, I stepped back on, reset the timer for 30 more minutes and commenced walking briskly, aiming for a 16-minute mile. Just think…I almost gave up! How often do we begin something, only to give up on it because it seems too hard, too uncomfortable or like too much work? Sometimes, we simply have to take a minute to refocus on the task at hand. One of the tricks I use is playing music from “Rocky” and “Chariots of Fire” to remind me of someone who has been successful in the face of overwhelming challenges. I repeat to myself, “If they can do it, so can I!” It helps me to see that the greatest challenge I am facing is in my own mind!
I know the urge to give up will strike again. When it does, I am ready to take a moment to refocus, turn the music up a bit and remember the story that inspired it. I can picture myself going the distance with every step. My challenges are nowhere close to theirs, and “if they can do it…so can I!” Are you prepared to face that inner voice when the going gets tough?
We’re one month in to TOPS Million Pounds Mission to lose ten or more pounds or be a KOPS in leeway. How are you doing?
By Laura Lewis February 13, 2017
Like so many others I hate to think of getting started with my exercise routine but then if I
just sit at home I would feel really bad and just eat out of boredom – no way!! So I just
put on a happy face and go to the center to exercise, hardest part is walking thru the door.
Once there the rest is easy.
By Carri Scott February 7, 2017
I love to walk. Don’t “belong” to a gym…I also have weights and stretch bands. Use them with a DVD we got at TOPS 10 minute exercises….and doing a lot of 5 minutes during TV commercials. Hubby says he hasn’t see a commercial in years!!! As a 14 year KOPS we need to continue watching portion sizes, and exercising keeps my joints “young” and moveable. Thanks, Barb, for your encouragement. You are the BEST.
By Marcia Ferris February 7, 2017
I lost KOPS status in the fall and I just can’t get back on the right track. I feel like giving in. There are so many stressors in my life and I am a stress eater. My group cheers me on but I feel like I am failing them. I need to remond myself to Keep on Keeping on. Thanks.
By barbara thompson February 18, 2017
Marcia keep going to the meetings. I lost my KOPS status 3 years ago and just got it back. Like you this last year has been full of stress but I use it to help me get the weight off. I thought if I have to go through this I should get something out of it. Best of luck
By JeannieB February 6, 2017
For me the first 100 feet are the challenge – I bundle up and make the journey in the dark and rain (today it’s snow!) to my out building where the treadmill is set up. Once I get out there it’s not so bad – I’ve gotten into a television series via Netflix so it keeps me walking to get thru each episode. My goal is 5 days a week – 2 to 6 miles depending on the day!
By Teresa February 6, 2017
Like you, the first mile on the elliptical is grueling for me. Once I get through it, I challenge myself to finish the next half mile. My goal is to do four days a week as part of my overall goal to walk 58,000 steps a week. I did meet my goal for the last four weeks. Yeah!