We hear it time and time again: If we want change, we have to put forth the effort. That nothing changes or happens without our willingness to work at it and work for it.
And how can we expect to change if we don’t try new things? After all, isn’t that how change occurs? By doing things differently than the way we’ve been doing them?
So the question is: Are you a person who is willing to try new things to make the changes you want to see and feel? And to enjoy the changes you make so that you can sustain them for a lifetime?
In the movie Runaway Bride, Julia Robert’s character has a period of self-discovery, in which she realizes what she likes and does not. In a pivotal scene, she literally makes every egg recipe available and finds that Eggs Benedict are the only kind that she likes.
It made me think about my own likes and dislikes, and I’ve realized that discoveries in my own nutrition and fitness have been very similar. And it’s been this willingness to try and discover what I actually do and don’t like that has made a huge impact on me.
Because for me, if I don’t enjoy it, I won’t stick with it.
One example of this is kale. It’s an incredibly nutritious leafy green, and I know this. But at first, I was a bit unsure as to how to eat it. Because I like crunchy snacks, my first thought was, “Kale chips! Everyone loves them, so they must be great!” Well. I tried them. Both by making my own and also buying them prepackaged. What I discovered is that I do NOT like them, Sam I Am. Not in a box, not with a fox, not in a house, not with a mouse…
But I wasn’t going to give up, and so I tried eating it in different ways besides baking it into chips. And in this process, I discovered that I like kale steamed with garlic, and also in salads and soups. But it was only through trying it in a variety of ways that I found different ways to enjoy eating it. And that enjoyment keeps it a part of my weekly diet.
This also holds true in my workouts. For me, handstand pushups are something I do not enjoy. And it’s not because they’re hard (which they are), but it’s because I do not like being upside down; I was never the kid hanging on the jungle gym at recess. During our CrossFit workouts, I tried doing handstand walks and box handstand pushups, but the walks freak me out, and multiple reps on the box mess with my sinuses. And since I want to keep my sense of balance and also to be able to breathe, I’ve chosen to do shoulder presses instead. I found a way to change the handstand pushups to meet my needs and goals, and even though it’s not the same as pressing my body weight, the modification I’ve chosen works for me. And I can maintain that change indefinitely.
There are so many choices and modifications we can make, whether it’s with our diets or workouts or anything we want in life.
The key is to keep trying new things to find out what works for us.
And so the question is, are you willing to put forth the effort to try new things and different methods, and then keep trying if it’s not perfect the first time? To not give up until you succeed in the changes you want to make to improve your health?
Here’s to your success!
-Sue
Am I willing to put forth the effort to try new things, different methods, keep trying? hmmm… Regarding diet and exercise..1.) Diet. At 64 I eat well. I eat well so I will feel good. I am not a foodie-haha! I use to crave food and a lot of it in my teens, 20’s-50’s but I don’t now. It’s just not the thrill it use to be-haha!! Have my taste buds gotten old or what? I would rather have a delicious kale smoothie at 11 am rather than try to eat chicken, vegetables, etc. Food prep sounds like too much work. Weird, I know. I think it has something to do with cooking and baking a ton for 6 children through the decades. I’m done with that! 2.) Exercise. I am always moving. I love to move and be outside as much as possible. I’m an OUTSIDE person. Yard work, cleaning the shed, gardening, getting to the little beaches around here, looking up at the clouds-I love all that stuff and walking. The reason I am in Cf is to be motivated by the friends and MUSIC during the WODS. Music is everything!! I am one of those people that gets plenty of movement and activity ASIDE from WODS. I don’t have to workout but I do HAVE to be outside raking, mowing the grass, biking, etc. I am fortunate to be positive in my everyday outlook without really trying. Originally I joined CF (when Mike was the leader) to have my own identity during a time when my husband was really suffering from depression. His depression has receded in the last couple of years (everyone cheer, jump up and down, and clap here!!!!) and I still very much want to remain in CF- Am I willing to do the WODS via Zoom during this weird virus season of life-so far I have not but I feel as positive as ever about belonging to CF. As an OG member (!!), I feel like I should at least walk and bike and give that tally to Kara and check out Zoom. I keep thinking the barn will open with a social distancing requirement of 10 people and then I’ll be back in the game. So I will end my ramblings here. Love, Kate! xxoo
Kate, that’s all so awesome! You clearly have found what works for you both in nutrition and activity! I love it! Thanks so much for being a part of Heirloom!!