One morning, someone was baking something wonderful, and it filled the neighborhood. On Wednesday, someone must have hit a skunk on the main road...not so wonderful.
On that same morning, I was so proud I got my keister out of bed and was actually running. Then two walkers passed me. For a moment, I was discouraged. Then these words shouted in my head: Don't compare yourself to others!!! I will only compare myself to myself. I am making great changes. Although my jog is just a putt-putt jog, I am using different muscles than if I were walking. And, I'm improving. I can feel it.
This morning I looked at my watch after my first mile. It said 7.5 minutes. What? Really? Oh, wait. That's 22 minus 7.5 which equals 14.5 minutes (my neurons don't fire quickly at o-dark thirty). That's nothing close to a 7.5 minute mile. Then it hit me: Gina, you just jogged 14.5 minutes straight, and you're still doing it. Your legs haven't fallen off. You haven't coughed up blood. You're doing it! (goofy little dance)
Compare yourself only to yourself.
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."
Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
You are that worthy purpose.
OMGoodness great post! I'm still doing around 2-2.25 miles in 30 minutes and I feel at my weight and age I should be moving faster, but I am going to get there. I love this post...so true, and we all need these reminders from time to time.
ReplyDeleteHey, on Thanksgiving, my daughter, husband and I signed up for the annual 5K Turkey Trot. I had just found out that I had absolutely NO cartiledge in my right knee. I decided to walk the route anyway. I was passed by an 86 year old man doing a very, very slow jog. I was dead last that day, but by God, I did it. Doesn't matter the pace, it matters that you do it.
ReplyDeleteGood post and oh so true. :) You (and I) will get faster, but in the meantime the fact that we're actually jogging for that many minutes in a row is an amazing victory!
ReplyDeleteI've had many mornings running with my nose buried into my shirt to not breathe the skunk smell too deeply!
ReplyDeleteGood job on 14.5 straight!
no need for speed! revel in the things that your body is doing, cuz it's a great accomplishment. do you know how many people can't even run for one minute!?!?!?
ReplyDeleteDon't compare yourself to others! Hard to do but so important! You go Gina!!!
ReplyDeleteRead about your hubby.. yes, at least he has a job but moving is tough. HUGS!
Girl I'm so proud of you! I know it's tough. You are DOING this and you should be proud too!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere will always be someone faster or better, that's a gaurantee. Who cares about those people anyway? :)
Great work Gina! Don't sweat the pace right now...that will be the next piece of the puzzle and it will come with time. Jogging for as long as you can...and increasing it each week...that is perfect! Also....you can add in the fun little 5 minute kettlebell interval I posted on my blog today. That will open up some pathways to speed and endurance...it is a doozy. :) Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteSo many area of our lives where that logic works. Don't compare your size, your looks,your number of possessions, your talents, etc...Great reminder.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on jogging and then reminding to not compare yourself to other people! It's your journey and no one else's.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a Blessed Easter.
I like o-dark-thirty! I, too, can be found exercising before the sun comes up. Never would I have guessed that would have EVER been me, but I have to say I've come a long way. The activity feels good - especially when I stop, whatever. If it helps me maintain a 100-lb. loss, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteWoot! [kowtows] I am very proud of you and also asking myself what I've done that constitutes exercise lately, apart from pushing my MIL around Williamsburg in a wheelchair?
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful guest post is up at my blog! Come take a look!