Yesterday, I ran the 2014 Walk of Life with some of my co-workers. I ran it last year too. Last year, I was in way better shape than I am this year, and I also had been running a lot prior to the race. I had a stress fracture in my leg though and after the race I had to take some time off from running. Part of me wanted to just stop running completely.
I wanted to run the Walk of Life in 40 minutes or less. The course was 3.25 miles long (so a bit longer than a 5K), and I completed it in 42 minutes 14 seconds. I was bummed. I was bummed I didn't reach my goal. I was bummed I walked part of the way. I was bummed I didn't beat my time from last year (36 minutes), even though that wasn't my goal to begin with.
And then I realized while I was beating myself up that I accomplished my goal of finishing the 5K. I ran a large part of it, and I can train to beat my time next year. I can run more 5Ks for great causes and improve my time as I go. Everyone around me was telling me what a great job I did, and all I was doing was making myself feel bad.
Two words: STOP IT!
Be your own cheerleader in order to go further, to lose weight, to run harder, and you will do better and feel better about it! Similar to a positive thinking mentality. Sometimes thinking negatively is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I think this is why so many people stop trying to win the battle of obesity and stop trying to lose weight when they have ONE bad day. They beat themselves up! Instead of telling yourself you can't lose those 5 pounds, start telling yourself you can. Praise yourself when you lose 1 pound. Pat yourself on your back when you run 1 mile, or heck, even a 1/2 mile! All of these are accomplishments worth being proud of because they lead you to your ultimate goals. Be your own biggest cheerleader and the weight will come off. Revel in how you have taken control of your life and keep up the momentum by praising your own efforts. Listen to people when they tell you you're doing a great job, because chances are they're telling you the truth. Stop the negative thinking!
Here are a few people who have motivated me lately:
- Listening to Other People's Stories: My sisters and the guy at Chappy's. These people had some great advice for me on how to lose weight, how to keep going, and how to think positively while doing it.
- My friend Miranda Grace: She and I are taking this journey together. It helps to have someone who can ground you. She and I motivate each other, we hold each other accountable to exercising and eating right. We compare food diaries on MFP.
- My friend SB: He likes to say things like, you can run a half-marathon with me in October. HA! But seriously, having another person who THINKS you can achieve something that wild and crazy is motivating.
- Seeing Other People Who've Been Through the Same Struggle: I love seeing people who've been in the same boat as me, who have struggled for so many years and have achieved their goals! It's amazing, and it makes me want to get there again and keep it off for good!
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