Thursday, February 6, 2014

Positive Self Talk

"I give thanks for the opportunity to heal an old injury, to close an old wound, to alter an old pattern, to shift an old reality, to release an old story, to change an old idea, and to create a new experience of Self and Life."  Neale Donald Walsh
 When I decided to take better care of myself (on my 40th bday), I jumped right back in, full throttle and I recall  vividly that my body said "f.. you".

(see before and after)

That's been more than several years ago and since then, I've improved my quality of life drastically.  I had taken the time improving myself by working on my career but in that process, had let myself become overweight, and unhealthy.  It really wasn't that much of an issue until I turned 34 years old and the +10 lbs happened.  Didn't take long before I was tipping the scale at well over 230 lbs.  MY LIFE WAS UNBALANCED. Work, work and more work...........I had fallen into a common trap.  I vividly recall having labored breathing trying to accomplish the simplest tasks, like tying my shoes.  It was at this point that I realized it was time to bring some balance into the equation.  It took a few months after getting back into it when I finally started seeing the results.  Feeling the results came almost immediately but the inches took some time.  People around me noticed too.  My energy level went through the roof.  Tons of positive changes! I was charged up and vocal about it.  I had many conversations about self improvement.  My business partner and co-workers noticed, and it took some time to for me to realize that they resented me for it.  Subsequently, I evaluated myself and was extremely critical.  I don't spend much time in that space, especially after I have broken down the  situation. 

I

There is no point, especially if you have constructively evaluated yourself.  I decided to move on.  I was lucky that I hadn't wasted much time or energy 'there'.  What I do with my time is completely up to me.  Subsequently, I made the decision not to bring it up in conversation.  I also took that philosophy in regards to social media.  People post to social media about diet and exercise almost every hour of the day.  For some people it's motivating, for others it's NOT.  I don't post every meal, or every workout.  I am selective.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching what others post on social media.  I have enjoyed  many interesting articles this way, and been led to many different type of workouts.  I really enjoy watching people improve, whether it be academically, professionally, or physically and even more so if I can help them in anyway.  I still talk about working out, just not as much and only if someone brings it up first. Everyone is different and on their OWN timeline. Biggest thing I realized was to release the guilt and bad feelings and to focus on positive self talk.