Glorious news people…I managed to complete both scheduled days of my new race training plan. Yes I said “both” as in just two and yes one of those days was a rest day but you must celebrate the small victories! As I was in my apartment gym running 3 sweaty miles on the treadmill this morning, I saw a story that the owner of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell reported a 30% rise in profit for their 4th quarter sales. This information blew me away! Here I was, getting in an early workout before I drank my green smoothie. Could this be possible? I could have sworn that the new trend was to be healthy. I thought it was getting popular to workout and be fit, eat the best foods for your body, and try to live a balanced life.
And then I realized something…being fit and healthy only seemed so popular to me because that is the world I chose to live in. Yes there still is an obesity epidemic out there. Yes a lot of people don’t actually know about health and fitness. And yes, you may be one of them. But what I hope you realize is that you have the power to change your mind about which world you want to live in: healthy or unhealthy. Reaching your potential or coming up short. Being able to do the things you truly want to do or just watching from the sidelines. It’s your choice.
I choose to read health and fitness based magazines, not gossip columns or magazines with recipes loaded with calories.
I choose to read blogs that focus on healthy living to give me the ideas and inspiration I need to make the right choices.
I chose to quite drinking alcohol because I didn’t think it was the smartest thing for my body (or mind!).
I chose to get healthy and lose 50lbs in the process.
I chose to give up eating all animal products in order to live a more peaceful and balanced life.
I chose to wake up at 6:00a.m. today to workout instead of sleeping in.
I chose to drink a green smoothie for breakfast instead of eating a bowl of sugary cereal (or skipping breakfast altogether!).
I chose to pack a healthy lunch for work (delicious lettuce wraps today) instead of running out to the nearest fast food joint for a quick burger.
The point is, every day I wake up and have to make a choice. Sometimes it’s not always easy. Sure sometimes I’d rather press snooze and snuggle a little longer in the morning. Sure sometimes the vegan donut case at Whole Foods calls out my name until I silence it with a chocolate-chocolate glazed donut. Sure sometimes I would really prefer a 5lb Chipotle burrito to a salad. But most of the time I do make the choice to live the healthiest life possible.
This wasn’t always the case. There used to be a day where I didn’t really think about my choices, I just did what was easiest and most appealing at the time. However, there was a disconnect with who I knew I wanted to be (and could be) and who I actually was. I didn’t like this disconnect, it bred low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. It wasn’t just about my appearance either, it was about my actions. So one day I decided to change my mind and my outlook and start living the life I wanted to live. I made the choice.
And now, instead of days on the couch watching Law & Order reruns and only dreaming of what could be, my life looks more like this:
And I feel like this:
Are there choices you could make and things you could change to start living the life you really want to live? I encourage you to look within yourself and at least ask. You never know what amazing opportunities and experiences could be right around the corner…
Great post!!! I choose to go to hot yoga tonight!
That sounds like an excellent choice to me! I have always wanted to try hot yoga, but have never had the chance.
Shelley, you do inspire me! It really is that simple, isn’t it: Make the right choice right now. It’s so easy to take the easy way out and not plan ahead. Sigh. Having a Whole Food nearby would be heavenly – unfortunately the nearest is 200 miles away. Wait…do they have a website? Gone to check. Thanks for another motivational post! Love you! Aunt Nance-Nance
I actually don’t even shop for groceries at Whole Foods, it’s more of a specialty item or vegan baked goods store! I generally split my shopping between Walmart and another store that has nicer and better priced produce. Make the best out of what you have! Love you
Great post Shelley! Very inspiring! You are dead on. Everything we do everyday is a choice! You have clearly mastered choosing well for you 🙂
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Great Post -YOU are an inspiration !
Thank you so much. If my blog can inspire one person to make one healthy choice, then I will consider it a smashing success!
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