I’m having something of an epiphany this week, with this whole exercise thing. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m still as far from using the word enjoy in relation to anything that leaves me out of breath and hurting as I ever was. I don’t see that changing any time soon either, to be frank the only bit I enjoy about exercise is when it’s over.
That said, when I was looking back at the week yesterday and totting up what I’d done altogether in terms of activity, I was almost knocked over by a massive wave of…I don’t know what I’d call it. Self-satisfaction..? Pride, achievement…whatever label I put on it, it felt awesome.
It’s a familiar mantra isn’t it, that diet and exercise go together hand in hand, and that one isn’t as effective without the other. More than that, it’s not even a myth perpetuated by skinny string beans with their cucumber water and painted on yoga pants – everyone agrees. Even me…I just didn’t understand why. And I’m not claiming to have made the leap from zero to hero overnight, but the penny has started to drop and another piece of the jigsaw is falling into place.
I always assumed that the reason diet and exercise were so closely linked was because exercising burns calories and speeds up metabolism, and therefore weight loss. And helps to tone up as you go along. And of course that’s true, it does all of those things. What I hadn’t really thought about, was the psychological edge that exercise gives you.
How can I describe it to you in fat-girl words..? Yesterday, I was faced with the reality of what I can do, rather than what I can’t. Presented with the sum total of my investment into me over the course of one week, I felt unstoppable, you know? It’s like I’ve been handed a massive tube of superglue, which if applied liberally, will keep my feet bang in the middle of this sweet spot.
I know I’ve talked before about the fact that with almost five months’ worth of dieting under my belt in this journey to Skinny Town, I’m invested…I have a lot of skin in the game, and that momentum is one of the biggest reasons I’ve managed to stay in the sweet spot. Every good food choice, every battle with the Asshole voice…it’s all been an investment into me, and what I’m trying to achieve.
Last week I also invested time on the hurt machine and more than twenty miles of walking towards my end goal. And knowing I can do that has made my head feel stronger, as well as my body. The next time the Asshole voice tries to undermine me by telling me I can’t do something, I’ve got a bigger stockpile of reasons why he can just fuck right off.
When you boil it down, it’s pretty obvious, right? The more you invest, the bigger your stake, and the more the outcome matters. And the more it matters, the harder you’ll try. It’s important to me to watch my investment grow, so if I have a wobble I can look at it and the answer will be staring me right between the eyes…look at what I’ve put in so far. Is it worth spoiling for one moment?
The answer will always be NO.
You are on to something. To me, exercise has always been torture, but i can see how it can motivate when looking at it in this light.
Another bit of the jigsaw, right? Happy days 🙂
Dee, this is great:
“I was almost knocked over by a massive wave of…I don’t know what I’d call it. Self-satisfaction..? Pride, achievement…whatever label I put on it, it felt awesome.”
Keep that feeling going and you’ll have the asshole whipped in no time. You will still battle with him. I went to the gym today and it was EVERYTHING in me to make myself go. I really wanted to take a nap. I did NOT want to go. But I made myself go anyway and I had a really good workout. It’s 58 degrees out (about 14C) and drizzling, but I’m going for a walk anyway. I’ll use my umbrella. But darn it, I want to take advantage of the warm weather because it’s going to be freezing tomorrow! It is a strange thing that happens…you really enjoy working out and exercise because of the way it makes you feel. And it’s NOT that it helps you lose weight or boosts your metabolism. I mean, really who the eff cares about that? But the positive energy you get from it is addictive. Good work!
Thanks Tracey, I was the same today, sore back and sore knee but I made myself do it. Everything still hurts but I’m walking taller because I’m 3 miles further invested!
I didn’t get my email either but I saw you had posted a new blog while I was reading Sean’s blog. Great job with all the exercise you have put in. I have voted every day, thanks for including the vote HERE button.
And thank YOU Jo, I appreciate all the support! Sorry about the lack of email, I would’ve sent it manually when I suspected it hadn’t gone right but some people did get it so I didn’t want to annoy those that had by sending it twice! It’s so unreliable it drives me crazy!! D x
Hi, Dee! No, the e-mail notification didn’t happen, but no problem. I come looking for Skinny Chateau.
I had always classed the whole color-coordinated lycra, plunging away at exercise equipment & drinking grass smoothies, as a phenomenon that had nothing to do with me. It’s a lot easier to believe in this Me – planning meals, taking walks, popping a sweat before showering & heading into my day.
This is my skin in the game, a half-a-year not obsessing about fat & food. The more weeks that I spend like this, the less willing I am to go back to the depression & drama.
? Fleury
I knew it, I knew that blinking email hadn’t worked properly! Grass smoothies, hahahahaha YAK! And good for you Fleury,half a year…congratulations lovely lady, that’s awesome 🙂
Fleury that’s great – we don’t need drama – just determination!
I’m not convinced Skinny Mail worked properly today…I didn’t get mine! Not that that mattered, since I knew what was in it…I checked with a couple of friends who are on the mailing list and theirs worked ok but I’m suspicious and think maybe the gremlins got out again! Apologies if you didn’t get yours 🙂
Nope, no mail here either, but I’m here and I voted 🙂 And I’ll be at the gym tomorrow – 20 miles! That’s AWESOME – what a number! I made my goal number of cardio minutes this week – starting tomorrow it goes up by 25% 🙂 No excuses – just do it.
yeah, cherie – wild cheers for you, too. wow, you are doing great! tracey, that’s the way. talk about determination. dee omg – inspired by you!
Thanks honey!! 🙂