We Can Get Too Caught Up In The Numbers

Maybe it’s because I’m older and wiser now. Maybe it’s because I move more deliberately now, so I’m not so much in a rush to get anywhere. Maybe it’s my strong faith in my higher power that allows me to give where I am today, it’s proper due. What I’m talking about is our society’s fascination with numbers. And more specifically, our fascination with how much we weigh, how much weight did we lose, how far did we ride (I’m a cyclist), how fast did we ride!

It’s not my job to place a judgment on anyone, cause lord knows I made my share of mistakes in this lifetime. I also remember being very caught up in numbers as a youth and a teenager. I was even obsessed with numbers as it related to the statistics of professional athletes. I used to be able to quote just about any baseball players’ lifetime and season home run and batting average totals. I just worry about how so many out of shape people get discouraged because they are not losing weight fast enough, or are not getting in shape quick enough.

I’ve found what works for me is a word that is so hard to achieve, yet it really can be the key to a whole new life. The word is Balance. It’s what allows me to stay more toward the center, rather than drift way over to one side or the other. This might seem abstract, but I’m telling you, it truly works, but just like anything, it is a skill that has to be cultivated. It’s like, the first time I shot 10 foul shots in a row, I surely didn’t make all 10, but years of practice later, there were many times I did.

If I get so caught up in a destination, then I will miss the blessing. If I get so caught up in I want to, or I need to lose 50 pounds, then, I can lose balance. If it becomes an obsession, especially if the pounds aren’t falling off as fast I think they should, then I could get discouraged. Or maybe I’ll crank up my workouts a few notches, or skip a few meals. Do you see the point? I’m not saying we shouldn’t have goals. They should be realistic and achievable. We need to remember that as we get older, our metabolism changes. Therefore, weight loss might not be so easy. For more on all of this, you should go To My Site!

What I’ve found works for me is I have simple goals. I have a few short term goals of distance I want to ride my bicycle in the next 2 months. However, my more important goal is to workout and eat healthy everyday! That’s it! Some days I do better than others, but if I don’t take, it, or myself too seriously, I can enjoy myself, and this journey, rather than getting so caught up in the destination. I’ve also learned positively, and absolutely, that so many people don’t stick with their workouts. I know that so many of them get discouraged because they think they should be somewhere other than where they are in regard to their workouts or weight loss.

I’ve also learned that if I have balance in my workouts, and in my life, I will be much better off. If I get so caught up in my workouts, the rest of my responsibilities can pile up on me. Then, if I get discouraged about my fitness program, I could drop it for a while to take care of the mountain of other things that are awaiting. The problem here is that there’s just the possibility of too much frustration, and not enough continuity, or balance. If I am JUST grateful for the willingness I have to want to be a healthy person, I will not stress over this. I can then be ok with where my 2 feet are right now. At this point, I can hear that redbird chirping up in the tree above me, as I walk by. I can see the children playing in their yard as I ride by on my bicycle. I can feel good and positive about what I’m doing, rather than what I’m not. When I have my head up, I can then see the beautiful blue sky above me, rather than having my shoulders slumping because I’m dejected because I didn’t lose the 10 pounds last month that I set out to. The only thing I see now is the dirty ground, and the only thing I feel is the weight of the world on my shoulders. It’s a shame because it is a beautiful day. It is that time of year when the birds are singing, and the children are out playing, and those that are feeling ok with themselves are out there taking it all in. Bye for now. Be healthy, safe, and happy.