So what I have I learned?
1. I have learned that I need to not be embarrassed about being overweight and being out on the trails. You see, only about 20% of the population actually exercises. What? So how in the world can I feel shame when I am beating about 80% of the population? Sure, I huff and puff. Sure I struggle. But I am doing it! This pertains to ANY and ALL forms of exercise...not just biking!
2. I have learned that sometimes we don't want to do something even though we know that it is the best option for us. Sometimes we do have to push ourselves. And that is ok But many times we will find out that those days that we push ourselves out of our comfort zone turn out to be the best experiences!
3. Our worst enemy is actually ourselves. I went out to ride and I didn't want to go. I was resisting and came up with a gazillion excuses in my head. I totally talked myself out of wanting to ride and those voices in my head continued the whole way on the ride. I rode SLOW. I rode SLOPPY. I moaned and I groaned. I felt like I had been hit by a train. Yeah, there may have been other factors that contributed to my feelings, but I do know that those thoughts that filled my head really affected my riding. I talked myself into a bad ride. I knew it....but it seemed that I was powerless to turn it around! This really was a lesson that I needed to learn, not just for mountain biking but for life! You see, I can talk myself into saying "I just can't lose weight' and once you say it....you really do start believing it. We believe our words...we take them as gold and therefore we really don't TRY.
4. A more recent one is the fact that this journey of learning to mountain bike is filled with times where I could give up and call myself a failure. I fall off the bike. I have to walk. I struggle. It would be so easy to give up and call it quits! But quitting is NEVER the way to reach a goal. If I want to succeed, I need to get back on my bike and ride! Weight loss is the same. I will have meals or days where I struggle. Sure, I could quit.....but that would never allow me to reach my goal. To Succeed in weight loss I need to get my butt back in line and keep trying. I have to get back on that bike and ride If at first you don't succeed, try try again!
I am sure that there will be more and more life lessons learned while I am out there on the mountain bike. It just seems to happen naturally as I am riding Events occur and then I sit on my bike thinking about them as we ride onward. But you know what? I am open and willing to learn. I want to make me the best possible me that I can. That is part of my weight loss journey. And to make me better, I have to learn and grow. So bring it on!!!
8 comments:
I'm always so impressed by your trail riding, MaryFran - that scares me to death even thinking about it, and there you go, charging up those trails like a boss!
I always tell myself it's OK to give less than 100% because I am still doing more than if I had slept through my workout or stayed home eating chips on the couch. You are doing awesome!
My worst enemy is no question is my self.
Coffee is on
I find myself doing a lot of thinking while I am running. I am slow and feel that the real runners out there are looking at me are thinking” what is she doing out here?” I sure don’t look like them but I keep telling myself I deserve to be out here too. Everyone was new at first. But I don’t think I will ever be a fast runner or win a marathon but I know I must exercise every day. So I keep at it. I want to be at a healthy weight so I feel better. You’re right about that negative thinking. Giving up is easy. I keep changing my thinking. Not all runs or workouts are my best but all workouts are good. I never regret doing a single one. The only bad one is the one not done.
Paula C
Yes!!!
We are definitely our own worst enemy!
Very true! We are out there! That’s what matters!
It apparently melts fat!!!! That overcomes my fears!!! Lol
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