The Daffodils are Blooming!Can you feel it? Can you feel Spring in the air? It's still cold outside, and we still have plenty of winter mornings at the gym on icy pull up bars, but I can feel that spring is coming. We've had a string of beautiful, sunny days. Cold but not too cold. And beautiful. I've had the itch to get outside and work in my yard recently. I have been doing the winter cleanup--cutting back all the perennials and pruning the roses. Laying fresh pine straw. I'm getting my garden ready for the flush of spring. It's a wonderful time of year for gardeners. From now through June, I love walking through my garden every morning, with coffee in hand, to see what new thing has developed. Right now, the daffodils and 'Georgia Blue' veronica have center stage. Both are blooming. The english bluebells have started to break through the earth. While it will be weeks before the average person notices the bluebells, just the sight of the bright green stalks starting to poke through the pine straw is exciting to me. I love this time of year in the garden.
I want to feel a similar excitement as it relates to my fitness. So I thought it would be helpful to think about upcoming events. Rachel's wedding is just a few weeks away. I'm attending a CrossFit Level I Certification at the end of March. I have shared this with only a few of you, knowing that once I admit it, I'll have to get serious about preparing myself for it. (Well, I guess this means I'm ready to get serious.) I plan to attend the CrossFit Regional Qualifier April 25-26 in support of Shana and Tommy. And oh Lord, I plan to attend my 30th high school reunion in June. If that list isn't enough to get me seriously motivated, then I don't know WHAT will motivate me.
I have to confess that I don't feel a burning, hyped-up motivation to prepare for any of these events. But I do feel a growing resolve to change and move forward. So it's in this spirit that I am making the following two commitments to myself.
One: I'm back to following the HQ schedule for my workouts. That won't be too hard for me...at least not from a commitment standpoint. Each individual workout presents it's own challenge, but I will show up to the gym with a good attitude and do my best on each workout.
Two: I'm stepping it up a notch on the diet. I know I can drop body fat when I take it seriously and do all the basic things one must do to lose weight. I'm ready to do those things. I'll be weighing in weekly at Weight Watchers, keeping my food journal, and following the Weight Watchers program with an emphasis on paelo-style eating (lean protein, fruits and vegetables).
As always, I will report on my progess and struggles. I remain grateful to all of you for your support and encouragement.
"I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret."
~ Anthony Robbins ~
10 comments:
Good luck Pat, it sounds like you are going to blossom like a beautiful flower this spring!And just remember all these events are wonderful to reach for but the fact that you are going to be getting healthier is something that will last well past spring! I agree with staying with HQ schedule I have been doing it (besides this week :( ) and it has made it easier to have a set work out plan.
Great post as usual Pat. Spring is about renewel - and I enjoyed reading how you are renewing your committment to CF, to your garden, and to yourself. I can't wait to hear how the Level I Cert goes!
I have been lacking in the committment arena lately - Shana has been harassing me and I know I need to get in there and work out. I made it this morning - and that was good. Baby steps...
I feel the same way about spring on the verge. It's exciting. The anticipation of motivation.
Pat, I love that you always take active control of your life. A friend sent this quote to me today. I really like it. It's about what I call living life on purpose. Some of you know that's a big deal for me and that my daughter's name, Naiya, is a variation of the Swahili for purpose:
"The difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next. The difference between the two is the difference between living fully and just existing."
Michael E. Gerber
Author of The E-Myth Revisited
Thanks all. Sheryl, love the quote. thanks for sharing it.
Hi, Pat.
Heard about your blog from Shana. I hope you (and others) don't mind me lurking/joining in?
It was nice working out with you again this morning and, though I know it's said a lot in these parts, you all are _truly_ inspirational (those I have and haven't met)--especially to a newbie like me.
Mo! I'm so glad you decided to join in. Welcome!
Welcome Mo!
Great quote Sheryl!
Great to get to workout with Sheryl last night and Rae this AM!
Welcome to the blog Mo
Thanks very much for the welcomes, everyone!
Hope I'll get to see more of you more often now that my schedule has calmed down and I'm showing up pretty regularly (starting 4x a week next week). Though, until Summer, I'm a 9amer so I might not see y'all all that often (other than here).
I'm so motivated by your motivation, PatC, perhaps _being_ a motivator can be motivating as well? :) Oh, and say that 5 times fast.
Oh Mo, I don't know how motivated I am. I feel like I'm trying to be motivated. I'm not the best example...I've been at this so long...taking a very long, winding road to my destination. I'm hoping I'm on a straight-away now and can pick up some speed.
Wow, that was pretty good...should have saved it for tomorrow's post.
Post a Comment