I think I can . . . I think I can . . . I KNOW I CAN!

I think I can . . . I think I can . . . I KNOW I CAN!

“I want to change my habits. . . I’m ready to change my habits…. I will change my habits . . .” 

Summer…summer is my favorite season!  Many think I’m crazy and I don’t know why it is.  It could be that my birthday is in the summer. . . it could be I always look back to my school days when we got 2-3 months off during the summer . . .  it could because I hate cold and snow.  Whatever the reason, summer is my favorite season.  My running friends would beg to differ.  Summer always brings hot temperatures, extremely high heat indexes, and for those of us in the parts of the country with humidity—out of control humidity. 

Summer also brings more outside activities, skimpier clothing showing more skin, and more self-conscientiousness. That’s why everyone usually wants to look toner and lose weight for summer—less clothes to hide the obvious.  Who’s going to wear a turtleneck to the pool in July?  It doesn’t have to be though.  With hard work, determination, and preparation—you can get back on track with your eating and exercise.  However, you have to WANT it.  Not for the short term, but for the long term.  Otherwise, your efforts will be short term and come fall and winter when you can hide yourself behind your layers of clothing—you will go back into hibernation and to your old habits.  It’s all about the mindset “I want this, I am ready for this, I am willing to do this.”  You have to have all 3 to succeed.  For years, I had the first part—I want this, but I didn’t have the ready and willing to do this.  I would be gung-ho come about April—when it warmed up enough to wear shorts and then would gradually go back to my set ways come October, when the weather cooled off.  I would do all kinds of exercise programs—boot camp, cross-fit, circuit, work out at the gym, workout at home, run, walk, bike”  You thought I was the fitness nut.  I would eat healthy for the most part (I was a closet chip eater—it was not uncommon for me to eat a ½ a bag of the party size chip bag in one sitting or stop through a drive through for fries.)  By September, I would have cheat days because I read that in order for you to lose weight you had to trick your body so it was OK once a week to eat whatever you wanted—cool with me.  That cheat day became 2 cheat days, which became 3 cheat days a week.  Then came the excuses “We’re just too busy”, “This is too hard to keep up with”, “We’re on the go too much”  “It’s not convenient.”  That’s what they were—excuses because I wasn’t ready to make the change or willing to make the change—I just wanted to make the change.  I just wanted it to happen overnight without any effort from me.  Like Samantha on Bewitched, I wanted to wiggle my nose and voila I fit into that swim suit without popping out at all angles or that pair of shorts without having to lay on the bed to zip them.  It’s your mind set that is going to allow you to achieve your ultimate goal, to get where you want to be physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Until you reach that turning point—your attempts are going to be just that attempts.

I don’t know what your turning point is.  That is for you to determine through your own soul searching and figuring out “why” you really want this?  Is it just to fit in that cute pair of shorts or look hot for your high school reunion or is it something more long term?   My turning point came last summer.  My oldest had graduated high school a year ago May and I was so proud of him and myself for the way I handled it—I didn’t cry.  I did however, all summer look at him and instead of seeing this awesome young man I raised, I saw this little boy still in diapers at the age of 3 begging him to start using the potty, I saw this cute baby that I brought home from the hospital and just stared at when I wasn’t holding him amazed, that my husband and I created this creature, I saw this little toddler who would hold my hand and look up to me for guidance with trust, I didn’t see this 18 year old that was headed to college.  August came and I took my little boy to college—and you think leaving them at Kindergarten was hard.  OMG!  Just wait.  I cried, not in front of him, but I cried.  I tear up now just thinking about it now!  My whole world had changed.  With one less child at home, my evening activities had been cut in half, and I had more time to think, to soul search, to pray, and to reflect.  I didn’t like myself.  I didn’t like how I felt, and how tired I was.  I didn’t like my attitude.  I didn’t like being grumpy all the time to my family—who had patience to deal with me.  I didn’t like having to need coffee to get me awake in the morning or wine to relax me at night—don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy both, but not to the extreme I was at.  It was not uncommon for me to have 2-3 cups of coffee in the morning to just get going or ½ a bottle of wine or more at night. 

My friend and fitness coach who has patiently watch me try all types of fad exercise programs and eating plans through the years—offered a 21 day challenge.  At this point I was not only wanting to change, I was ready and willing to change.  It was cutting out all unhealthy things—eating clean and incorporating a circuit training into my normal running routine to build strength.  It was cutting out all coffee and wine for 21 days and chips—my big 3.  In the beginning, I still had self-doubt—I didn’t know if I can give it all up???   However, I knew I had to make some drastic changes and if it meant going cold turkey, then that’s what I had to do.  I reminded myself why it was important to me and it was beyond fitting into that pair of shorts, because this was September and I could easily go into my multiple layer of clothing to hide how I looked, but I couldn’t hide how I felt.  This was my turning point . . .  this time I wanted to make the change, I was ready to make the change, and I was determined to make the change for good.  When I completed the challenge—I was amazed at how I felt, I had come out of hiding and I was a happier person for me and my family, and even how I handled my oldest leaving the nest.  I was so happy, I continued with the habits I learned in the challenge . . . I was really making noticeable changes!  My attitude changed and then my behaviors changed along with them.  Your attitude really does make a difference.  When you plateau—your attitude needs to stay the same, positive and upbeat and remembering the real reason you are doing it.  What’s your turning point?  What’s your reason for change?  Is it just to look “hot” for the summer in your strapless sundress or your bathing suit or is it to improve your health and feel better about yourself overall?  Tired of the choices you are currently making?  Then find your turning point and then the efforts you make WILL pay off.   I think I can. . . I think I can . . . I KNOW I CAN!