Your body is amazing
You’re the only person who gets to assign a value to the number on the scale. That’s all it is – a number. It is neither good nor bad. It’s data. It’s telling you how much gravity is pushing down on the scale.
It’s not a judgment unless you let it be.
You are not Fat just like you are not Fingernails. You may have both, but you are *not* them.
This is a reminder that you’re doing the best you can right now with what you have.
Love your imperfect self. Focus on how you feel when you move, when you lift heavy things, when you run fast, and cycle up hills. Your body is amazing for what it does for you.
So the next time you step on the scale or peek in the mirror, remember that your body is incredible. It’s taken you this far.
And in the grand scheme of things, when we reflect on our lives, we won’t remember the silly moments we doubted ourselves after looking at a random number on a machine that doesn’t know anything else about our impact on the world.
When you need a change, answer these:
- What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
- How do you want the world to be different because you lived in it?
- If you were to die tomorrow, would you feel satisfied with your life?
- What is your definition of success?
- Where will you be in five years if you continue down your current path?
- What are the things you’re most passionate about?
- If you life had no limits, what would you choose to have and what would you choose to do?
- What do you not like to do?
Failure is a learning opportunity
I’m a Type A perfectionist. If I don’t do something to my unruly standards, I usually think I’m shit. I’m a failure. It’s something I struggle with every day.
Perfectionism is not healthy nor is it conducive to becoming better at anything. I’ve been working on focusing on progress over perfection.
How do I compare to an earlier version on myself?
How am I improving as a human?
How can I take this perceived failure and turn it into a learning opportunity?
Easier said than done, I know. I start little.
I hate being fearful. I don’t want fear to control me. I want to constantly challenge my comfort zone.
I share this so that the next time you’re faced with something uncomfortable, you’ll meet it head-on. You can step out of your comfort zone, even for something minor, because that too, will help it grow.
Racing your bike IS fun
I joined the board of directors of Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado to help inspire change for women’s racing. In one of our monthly meetings we brought up the number of women who raced in Colorado. We couldn’t come up with a reason as to why there were women on bikes but the majority of them didn’t race.
I went to Facebook to find an answer; specifically, a Facebook group called We Bike Colorado (previously known as Women Bike Colorado). There were 3,106 members in the group. I posed the question, “For those who don’t race their bikes, I’m wondering what your reason is not to.” It generated 300-something comments, half of which were from some seriously offended folks.
The resounding attitude toward racing was that it’d take the fun out of cycling. Second and third to that was time and money. Women didn’t have either.
Competition isn’t for everyone, and I still rack my brain trying to figure out if we’re born competitive or if it’s a learned trait.
I was worried I wouldn’t like cycling as much if I pinned on a number and pedaled the hardest I’ve ever pedaled in my life, but soon enough I started racing.
Racing my bike has changed my life. I’m more confident. I’m in the best shape of my life. I fear less and strive for more. I respect all folks who race and I equally respect all folks who do not, but I’m here to say that racing IS fun, and it’s good for the competitive spirit.
Embrace the suck
To be the best, you have to act like it. You can’t develop a new version of yourself if you always stay in your comfort zone. Embracing the suck is peeling back the layers to the raw you and improving that.
When you embrace the suck, you’ll stop making excuses. Your mind will be resilient. Your body will be tough.
Embracing the suck is hard. Not everyone can or will do it. But those that do, rise above the rest.
Remember that we’re all suffering
Recent vitriol and shocking comments by people with whom I associate has me wondering about the idea of suffering.
Everyone in this world suffers. From a multitude of things: depression, anxiety, illness, stress, personal and professional relationships, athletics, school, what have you.
The cyclist who beat you is suffering.
The asshole boss is suffering.
The person who cut you off on the highway is suffering.
The jerk who continually nitpicks you is suffering.
Your family members are suffering.
Your friends are suffering.
We sometimes believe we’re suffering alone and it is easy to feel like that when being real can be too much for some people. And those that can’t handle you bearing yourself to them aren’t your people.
If you do anything today, make it this: remember that everyone’s fighting some internal battle.
Before you throw judgment or act like an ugly human being, think about what it’s like in their shoes. Imagine what they may be going through in their life.
Be kind.
Be understanding.
And don’t be an asshole.
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