It's just that turning around my eating and physical activity habits is a huge life event. It's like any major life event like college, starting a new relationship, marriage, having a child, or moving out of state. You can do all the mental preparation, read all the latest articles, and have all the peer advice jam sessions you want, but until that event actually happens, you have no idea what it's really like.
Another strange thing, but a very good strange (well, for the most part) is the sheer number of people I've had cheering me on. My nearest and dearest have been there for me every step of the way (sometimes literally). They're my very own cheer squad. I love these crazies.
Even curiouser is people I know, but don't interact with much, or the people I only see on a professional basis coming up to me saying "You look great!" "I saw you out walking on the bike path! Good for you!"
It's crazy! I had somebody tell me the other day that I've inspired them...
Me?! Inspiring?! Really? I don't think so...
Sometimes...okay a lot of the time I struggle with what to say in response because it takes me by surprise. I don't want to seem full of myself (Yeaaaaahhh, I am pretty great. No big deal. *Wink, wink, finger guns* Go me! Wanna join Team Manda? We're on the path to amazingness!)
So my response is typically sheepish laughter followed a lame "Oh...thanks! Uuumm, yep, I'm working on it..."
The only not so positive, but not necessarily bad reaction is from what I like to call the "non-believers". Here's a typical conversation with a "non-believer" (NB)
NB: "Hey! Look at you! You look great. You've lost some weight... a lot of weight!"
Me: *cue nervous laughter* "Hahahahaha...uuumm, yeah."
NB: "Well, what's your secret? What are you doing? Are you on a diet plan? Taking any supplements?"
Me: "Nope, just eating less/better and moving more." *sheepish grin*
NB: *crickets*
Me: *more sheepish grins*
NB: *blank stare* "Really?"
Me: "Yep!"
NB: "Really?"
Me: "Yeah!"
NB: *confusion/skepticism creeping across face* "That's it?"
Me: "Yep. I'm taking it slow and steady, but it's working for me."
NB: "Huh."
Me: (needing to wrap this convo up cuz we've officially entered Awkward Town) "Okay, well good seeing you! Take luck! Bu-bye!" (high tales it out of there.)
(Oh haaaiii, Tom!)
NB: *still standing there* "Huh."
I think the NB is so confused because as a society we're always looking for the new, the interesting, the exotic, the edgy, or the instant. We love things that promise us "Lose 5 inches and 5 pounds in 5 days. Just samba the pounds away with our dance videos and take these cucumboji berry leaf tincture supplements." or "GET RIPPED IN 90 DAYS WITH THIS NEW 'CRAY CRAY TOWN MAKE YOU REGRET THAT CALZONE YOU HAD FOR LUNCH BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT TO COME BACK UP' WORKOUT REGIME!!!! YEAH!!!" *cue guitar shredding, orange, greasy abs, and pyrotechnics*
I get it. It's exciting. We like trying new things, but when it comes to sustaining that latest workout craze, it gets "real hard, real fast". So we find the next new fad, the next weight loss tea, the next ex-Marine drill sergeant turned fitness guru to scream at us, and on and on it goes.
I think that's why when you tell someone, "Yes, I'm taking it slow. Yes, I'm steadily building up my tolerance. Yes, it's taken me a year to get to this point, but it's working." it kinda baffles the heck out of them.
Now, I'll stop for here for a quick sec. I know everyone is different, and if you've found something that works for you, something that gets you excited for healthy living, as long as it's it truly safe (no living on 500 calories a day, please. That is not safe.), and is good for your body, you do you. If you love to dance when working out, you embrace that little inner salsa queen and samba your heart out (yes, I get those are two different dances. Just roll with me.). I have friends that thrive on fitness boot camps. Those intense workouts work for them. They're rock stars in my book. If juicing or herbal supplements are your thing, get it, guuuurrlll/boooooyyy. Again, as long as it's safe. Please check with your doctor/healthcare professional.
So gain, for me, "everything in moderation" is what's working. Slow and steady is what's winning my fitness race. As most of you know, I started out with very short distances (less than half a mile), and have worked up to being able to walk 3 miles 4-5 times a week. Two years ago, a hike in Glacier would have been out of question. I seriously would not have been able to do it. Today, a friend and I are looking at doing 10 different ones this summer. I'm actually thinking about buying shorts for summer. I haven't worn shorts since... maybe 10th grade. That was 16 years ago! I'm planning on doing another 5k, and I'm going to try to run (!) part of it . I've cut out soda. I've cut out a lot of mindless snacking. I've limited my lattes to one a week. I've cut down on processed foods.
Most importantly though, I give myself grace and forgiveness if I slip up. If I miss a work out, I try not to berate myself, and resolve to do it tomorrow. I let myself have little treats.
Next week, I'll be on vacation, and you can bet your sweet bibby that I'm going to let myself have ice cream at least once. I will be buying a few pieces chocolate at the Lindt outlet. I may have fries with a meal, but I'm also bringing my walking shoes because my peeps and I are going to walk around some of Minnesota's famous lakes.
Guys, losing weight has been weird. It's been weird because it's turned my world on it's head, forced me out of some very comfortable, but unhealthy safety zones, changed me and quite possibly saved my life.
Manda
P.S. If I could give every single person who've encouraged me a high five and a hug, I would. You're all amazing.
