Mindy Raf

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Realizations and personal milestones

12 years ago I lost a significant amount of weight using a very popular diet/weight-loss program.  When I moved to Washington State I took a job working for them, and worked there for over 10 years.  I worked there because I believed in the program.  I believed that by watching what I ate, I'd keep that weight off.  I knew I needed to exercise, and I did.  
But here's the thing, after all that time I found myself becoming increasingly more frustrated.  During this time I developed the hand problems that ultimately lead me to discover the joy of strength training. 
Yes, you read that write, I said joy.
As writers, we spend way too much time sitting around with our computers.  Heck, as I type this I'm sitting on my couch with my laptop.  If we're lucky we get up and go for a walk, or maybe hit the elliptical a few times a week.  And I, like many writers, was frustrated. I was so frustrated that weight was coming back on, that I was eating what I was supposed to be eating but not losing weight.  I was exercising 4-5 days a week and not feeling any better about myself.
Then I realized something.  I was lifting more weight than I had every lifted before.  Without pain!  I had a routine of cardio and strength training, and I wasn't skipping just to go out with friends.  I was putting ME first for once. 
And it felt good.  
As of this week I am now able to lift 15 lbs. on a bicep curl...that's up from 5 lbs. (on a good day) last spring.  The fact that I'm lifting 15 lbs. just blows my mind!  I was telling everyone I saw about it, that's how good it felt. 
There's another realization that came with all this, though.  I can do anything if I give it enough time, and enough energy.  I can turn my body around.  I can publish a book.  I can make my life exactly what I want it to be.
And that's a pretty powerful feeling.