A few months ago, I came across a saying that really struck me:
Life is not about how high you climb or how fast you run; it’s about how well you bounce.
Here we are almost to the middle of January and I’m having to ask myself, “how well do I bounce?” As you may know, I’m participating in the American Heart Association’s Go Red Better U challenge. I spent much of December getting ready – checking in with the cardiologist, talking with the dietitian, building up my exercise program – all so I could hit the ground running on January 1, the official start date of the challenge.
And for eight days, I was ON it! Eating healthfully, exercising dutifully, encouraging myself cheerfully. Then came last Saturday. SCCCRRRREEEEEEEECH!
I found myself in the house alone with two wild boys, a dozen boxes waiting to be filled with Christmas decorations, and half of a healthy-in-the-right-portion Greek veggie pizza. By the end of the night, two boys were worn out, a half-dozen boxes were packed away and all of the veggie pizza was gone. (Trust me, none of it was eaten by my little buddies.) My only saving grace was the one mile I logged on the elliptical trainer that morning.
“Today’s a new day,” I told myself on Sunday morning. “Yesterday’s a thing of the past and it’s time to look forward…” right into not one, but two donuts chosen for me and offered so lovingly by that son with the big brown eyes. “I don’t want to hurt his feelings,” I rationalized.
The day continued with a bowl of cereal here, a margarita there, a few too many tastes as the dinner simmered away on the stove. Not to mention that the only exercise I logged was raising my arms in celebration of remarkable NFL playoff action viewed from the comfort of my family room couch.
Maybe you’ve been there. Perhaps your New Year’s resolution was to cook nutritious meals for your family and you’ve already hit up the Domino’s on the speed dial. Maybe you planned to exercise with an aerobics DVD before work every morning and your snooze alarm is getting in the way?
Today, I am determined to bounce. Bounce back into healthy eating. Bounce back into my exercise routine. Bounce back into the “you can do its!” and “atta girls!”
So if you’re feeling frustrated by barriers, shortcomings and roadblocks, stop. Now, my friends, is the time to bounce.
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As you know, we’ve been trying to cook at home and it’s been going pretty well. Last night, however, we not only ordered carry-out, I made my husband go pick it up while I sat on the couch with a glass of wine. Your post came at just the right time for me. It’s a reminder that just because some days get to you, doesn’t mean they all have to. I’ll get that bounce back in my step today!!
I hit a big old bump in the road recently too. And I guess that’s just what life does, right? This morning, I woke up and allergies were making my eyes watery, swollen, puffy, itchy, red- miserable. And I stood in the mirror and looked at myself and thought… “This is the last straw. This is a sign. I’m not suppoed to be trying to be healthier. Ever since I found my stride again, everything is hitting me at once and I can’t handle it!” Then I took a deep breath and walked away. And I’m going to keep taking little baby steps here and there, making good choices when I can. One choice at a time. Like driving past the fast food places on my way to work this morning when my emotional eater inside was screaming for a 360 calorie Mocha Joe… small choices leading to bigger victories.
Bounce, baby!
I think Tigger (Pooh’s friend) should become your new icon/mascot! I am working on bouncing, too. I am committed to making sure me and my daughter are being more active and some days it just doesn’t happen. As moms. it seems like we have to be the catalyst to get everything done around the house (cooking, cleaning, homework, projects at school, shopping, ya know — everything!) and then I’m trying to add being active with my daughter on top of it. Whew! Somedays the bounce is gone. Yesterday, 30 minutes of ping pong was all I could manage. Maybe we’ll do better today — or maybe tomorrow!
You said it, Amy. Thanks for sharing. I have been there more times than I want to admit. It’s time to bounce indeed.