The Journey in Steps

I ran again today.  It feels good to get up and go out.  I LOVE running/hiking in the foothills above my home.  I feel very little pressure to run the entire time.  I'm going up and down hills and walk or run, my heart rate is high.  Occasionally I pass some mountain bikers, horseback riders or other runners but it's few and far between.  I like that.

Today, I had a light bulb moment.  It was big.  Well, to me it was big.

I was walking up a pretty steep hill.  I didn't want to stop.  I wanted to get to the top without taking a break.  I just kept saying to myself, "Focus of the next step.  Focus on the next step.  Don't look at the top.  Focus on the next step."  Physically, my body was capable.  Mentally, I wanted to quit.

The distance to the top of that hill was very overwhelming to me.  It was more than I thought I could do.  Losing weight is like that.  The amount I have to lose is overwhelming.  The distance to that goal weight just seems to great.  The past few months, I have felt defeated before I've even started.  Today is a new day.  My attitude toward a healthy life has changed, it's flipped 180 degrees.

I can't look at where I have to go.  The distance is just too far.  If I make goals that are reasonable and attainable I will be successful.  I will have a fighting chance.  I will build my confidence mentally, I will grow stronger and willingness to keep moving forward will continue.   I don't believe that I have a goal weight to "get to".  Past experience has taught me that I stop, I'm done when I hit that goal.  This journey isn't about stopping.  The journey is about being healthy and active.  If I have the healthy habits in place - I'm eating right, I'm moving - the weight loss will happen.  There is no deadline.  This is not a race where there's a finish line.  This is a journey.  A journey for life, MY LIFE.  This journey is for me.  I can influence my family and friends along the way but this journey is for ME.

Today I will set a short term goal.  An achievable, measurable goal.  I've got this.  Step by step I'll get there.  I can do hard things.  I can and I will.