I’m going to tell you a true story about a guy named Greg*.
GREG’s Story
About 10 years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, Greg had completely over-eaten as most of us do on this day of celebrating with food. However, Greg was about 120 pounds overweight. Exhausted, miserable, and almost in a food-coma, Greg went to lay down. Once on the bed, he unbuckled his belt and jeans so he could breathe. Except all he felt was the literal weight on his chest and realized he was having what felt like heart palpitations.
He knew at that moment that something had to change. At only 27 years old, he realized he was slowly killing himself. He was the father of an 11-month-old son that he needed and wanted to be there for. He wanted to be able to play with this active little boy. He wanted to see him grow and change for many many years.
He made a decision.
The very next day, he got up, went outside, and ran to the end of the block. It was excruciating and left him sweaty and breathless. He walked back home. The next day, he did it again, but he added a block. He ran two blocks, huffing and puffing, before turning around and walking home. The next day, three. The next day, four.
Eventually he was adding miles instead of blocks and the scale told him he was down 30 pounds.
Midway through his journey to his best health, Greg went through a divorce. At a time when many would turn back to their old habits of using food to deal with stress, he persisted. He kept his goals in sight.
He decided it was time to also focus more on his nutrition, so he joined a program to learn about proper portion size and portion control. He managed over time to get to a healthy weight, overall losing about 120 pounds.
Ten years later he has maintained his healthy weight, and he and his new wife are very active together and as a family they maintain good nutrition as part of their healthy lifestyle .
MICHAELA’S Tough Love
I LOVE this story. If you know me, you know it’s because I preach that living a healthy lifestyle does not mean doing anything drastic or crazy. It’s not expensive or complicated. Greg’s story is proof. He started with a decision to change and by running a single block.
Now for the tough love. Get out there and run one block. If you can’t run, walk. Everyone can walk!!!
And don’t get all political on me—I fully realize that no, not everyone can walk. My grandma has MS and is wheelchair bound. I have a friend who was born with spina bifida. There are paraplegics, amputees, etc. I am aware and I am not being insensitive. I am talking to those of you who CAN ACTUALLY WALK. To everyone who has an excuse as to why you can’t get healthy, an excuse as to why you can’t work out—EVERYONE CAN WALK.
Will you be uncomfortable at first? Probably. No growth or change happens unless you get uncomfortable. Will it be hard? Probably. Will you get frustrated that you can only go one block? Probably. How bad do you want change? I’m willing to bet the discomfort will be worth it.
And what if you hit a bump in the road? Do you get to use it as an excuse to give up on your health? Nope. Be Greg. Keep your eye on the goal. Find a detour and take it!
We put so much energy into coming up with excuses as to why we can’t accomplish a goal. Imagine what would happen if you put all that energy into DOING something that moved you in the direction of your goals. Even if it’s as simple as running or walking one block.
So ditch the idea that in order to change you have to spend a bunch of money on a gym membership, or some fancy gimmick “detox” diet plan, or starve yourself, or kill yourself working out. You don’t have to learn to cook fancy meals, or spend hours in the kitchen.
Everyone can walk. Take that first step.
*not his actual name to protect his privacy.
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