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Well, this past Saturday my training group started up again. The summer/fall session for Marathoners In Training started bright and early. I was so ready because the winter was so bad (icy) that I decided against doing a spring half-marathon. I am looking forward to doing the Columbus Marathon this October for the second time. My only goal is to improve my time and that shouldn’t betoo hard since I came in dead last two years ago (back spasm, long story).
I love training with this group because even though I am slow, I feel comfortable with the program. There is a ton of support, great coaching, and informative sessions from experts. What makes it even more fun is that my dear hubby joined last year and did not grumble when I woke him up at 6am on Saturday (he is so not a morning exercise person). There was no rain despite the clouds but I was just so happy to be outside that I did 4.5 miles instead of the 4 planned. Yes, I’m one who barely tolerates the treadmill but appreciates it during the winter. So, if you happen to be out taking a stroll on the Olentangy Trail, you may be surprised to see how many crazy folks get up early to meet the sunrise in running shoes.
“And we will be in tune with our bodies only if we truly love and honor them. We can’t be in good communication with the enemy.” Harriet Lerner
I ran across this quote this week and it just rang out to me. It is so true that we cannot love ourselves, treat ourselves with care and respect when we regard our bodies as the ‘enemy’. As plus-size women, we are not strangers to the looks, stares, and often comments by others regarding our size, what we are eating and how we are dressed. It is a hard enough to get through the days when you feel constantly judged by everyone around you. It is only more difficult when the critique is coming from within. I am not saying that we should not evaluate ourselves and our behaviors, but to do so with kindness and some integrity. Would anyone else really want to listen (and respond) to most of the things that we say to ourselves? Probably not. Jessica Weiner calls this speaking the ‘language of fat’ which we need to give up. I have to agree. Putting oneself down constantly serves no positive purpose. We are people, first and foremost, part of God’s creation. It’s time that we treated ourselves in the manner most appropriate – with love and respect. I firmly believe that we teach others how to treat us. It’s time that we showed them that we deserve more, but we have to start with our own self-talk.
Good day! I am so happy that the sun is actually shining today and that thetemp will finally reach above the freezing mark! Well, actually my happiness should not depend on the weather and it does not. The weather is something that can add to my positive outlook. Happiness is different. We all have things that we believe ‘make’ us happy. It varies from person to person. However, when you really look at the science of happiness (after all, I am a psychologist) you see that external events or stituations count very little.
Happiness is a state of being that is originated by internal factors – how we think, perceive, and respond. For example, having an internal feeling of joy or peace will help you to maintain a positive outlook even when faced with some challenging situations. Many people describe this sense of joy/ peace from a religious or spiritual basis. Others feel secure in their knowledge of their abilities and this helps with their stress levels. Whatever it is that keeps you afloat, especiall ehn times are tough, see if you can put it into words. This could be the start of a Gratitude List to keep you focused on the positives in your life. I’d love to hear what’s on your list!
