One Step.
That is all takes, one step. And then another. And another, but you have to take the FIRST one to be going anywhere.
It is almost a given that each of us has had the yearning to become more with our physical selves than the typical lifestyle in today’s society will allow. We are used to placing emotional attachments to the current condition of our physical selves, and then engaging in the destructive cycle of downward spiraling thought that keeps us in the hole, or causes us to dig even deeper into the mine of a sedentary lifestyle. This is a pit from which you can escape, but there will be no one to come rescue you. No lifeline. Only self reliance and the undying stubbornness that you can be more and will do what it takes to get there.
At this point, and if you are reading this publication, it is not necessary to illuminate the “why” of wanting to become more physically. And many will not need a lot in the terms of the “how” of the process. We know we need physical activity. We need less caloric intake. We need high quality caloric intake that nourishes critical elements of our body and sends little to become fat. It is easy to become trapped in the marketing scheme of thinking you want to lose weight.
Weight is an indicator of your total size in the world, sure, but what 99% or more of us want to LOSE, is fat. Losing fat and losing weight are related to be sure, but only very loosely, perhaps as loosely as the folds of skin we wish to lose. One can lose quite a bit of weight and still be flabby. Still be lacking energy. If, while losing weight, we pay attention to making sure we are losing fat, by maintaining or upgrading the condition and quality of the muscle left behind, we become FIT. We have energy. Our appearance is even more enhanced than if we were to just shed mere pounds, clueless as to the composition of the tissues lost.
So we generally know that we will be more proud of ourselves and also have better physical and mental health with the addition of a regular commitment to physical activity to our routines, but now what? How do we get started? We each find our own motivation. Only from within can we fill the sails of this ship with the necessary wind. I can only speak for myself, but in March of 2006 (I was 316 lbs.) there were many things over a several day span that helped me turn the corner for good. I was exposed to a coworker recovering from cancer and becoming a triathlete, I was despondent about the bad example I was setting for my young daughters, and perhaps the single most catalyzing element for me was learning about the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt.
They are a father and son team who compete in marathons and triathlons together. Rick was born with cerebral palsy and has no control of his limbs, only able to use his head and neck to communicate through a computer device. Dick, the father, pulls Rick in a lifeboat tied around his waist, rides with Rick on a specially constructed bike, and runs behind a jogging stroller set up to carry Rick. A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile long run make up this triathlon distance. (www.teamhoyt.com)
I absorbed their story deeply, and as my tears of joy about the great power of humanity subsided, I noticed that I now truly felt like if they could do this together, I could do ANYTHING. That is the night I started walking and becoming the new me.
As you really must if you want change to have any real meaning and lasting effect for you, you will find your own sources of motivation, each and every day. As you progress towards the goals you set for yourself, you will learn things like the importance of varying the type of exercise you do from time to time. Vary the intensity. Push yourself some days, have easy days, even have days off. Walking or running, hiking, rowing, cycling, or really any physical activity will get you going in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to try and start things that you might not be able to finish.
When I was agonizing over the decision of whether or not to enter my first marathon, a stroke of inspiration graced my perspective. If I started a marathon that I knew I might not be able to finish, and ran longer than I ever had before, but then had to stop somewhere short of that finish line, would I consider myself a loser? I knew the answer to be no. I would be a loser if I was sitting on my couch or in front of my computer on the day of that race, afraid to give myself a chance. It really is all about taking that one first step.
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