The Will to Win…

Yesterday I did not make it to the gym. When I got out of bed, I was a hurting unit. Those 15 laps on the stairs on top of the cardio on the elliptical literally killed my calves and yesterday morning it was all I could do to get myself up and going for the day without literally sinking back into the couch. The toll of the day before with a really bad headache and the stair workout resulted in my needing to take a day away from the gym. Jeremiah was not too happy with my decision, but the fact of the matter was I simply felt as though I couldn’t do that and risk that I could possibly cause myself injury, which could take me out for an extended period of time, if not permanently. I do not want to do that, as I have come quite a ways in this endeavor, so one day off I allowed myself and in hindsight today, I think it really was the best option. Today I feel much better – the calves still ache some, but some ache is good – going back to the old adage of NO PAIN, NO GAIN!

“Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.” Vince Lombardi

Today I got up and I felt great, I was able to slug down cup of coffee, take the dog out, prepare myself to get to the gym, take out the trash, check on the kids, and then it was out the door, to the gym. I was there by 630 and immediately headed for the elliptical again. Now remember, two weeks ago, I said I could barely make it 2 ½ minutes without having to stop – today I made it 20 minutes! Yeah for me! Now, I am not saying I enjoyed that 20 minutes, because if I did I would be lying to you. I was sweating profusely and it was still pretty difficult to stick with it – who would have known if I quit, the 3 other people in the cardio room, none of whom I know or speak to any more than a cordial hello in passing? Not only would they not really know I had quit early they likely would not care. I had to have the will to push myself further and I did, and it feels great!

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. Vince Lombardi

I arrived at work this morning to be greeted by a co-worker who stopped what she was doing to say “By the way, you look great” I thanked her and said while I am not seeing the weight loss I would like to see, I am seeing a great difference in my muscle tone and endurance – to me these are really of the most importance, especially at this point in time because this will lead me to be able to lose weight the right way in the near future. This will not be just a short-term commitment for either Jeremiah or I – this lifestyle change will be long-term if not permanent. This is not to say we will never eat fast food or we will never enjoy foods that we are currently abstaining from. This is to say that these ways of thinking and living will no longer be the “norm” for us, which is how we got to where we were when we started this endeavor. We will win – We have the will to be winners, even though we will have to work hard consistently, we are committed.

Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything. Vince Lombardi

We wish you all continued successes! Until Next Time, Amber