Tiny Revolutions
Summer in Seattle is so incredibly beautiful that it makes you wonder why you even consider living anywhere else but here. Though it isn’t summer yet, we have been blessed with such incredible weather this past week that I’ve had a hard time concentrating on doing anything else but marvel at that bright shiny orb in the middle of a sky.
I used to dread this time of year – mostly because it meant that I was going to be hot. Physically hot, not HAWT! If you are overweight, you know exactly what I mean. While the rest of the world is walking around in flouncy skirts and spaghetti strapped dresses, you are trying to figure out if your cap sleeves are strategically hitting your upper arms so that your bat-wings don’t look too menacing. You are miserable in your long sleeves and pants.
In years past I used to get completely self-conscious about summer. This year however, the hot weather is like a breath of fresh air. I think in part, because I am spending a lot of time working on my attitude. Instead of fantasizing about where I could be (if it were not for …) or how much time I’ve wasted over the years – I am now concentrating on what I can do to change things in the present. Not tomorrow, not 6 months from now, but what can I do right now to impact the things that I want to change?
I’ve spent a lot of the time playing out scenarios in my head, without ever accomplishing anything in “real” life. Nowadays the time spent imagining how life could be is being devoted to actually doing something instead. Goals used to look something like this: “I am going to lose 70 lbs by summer!” These days it’s more along the lines of: “I am going to lose 2 lbs this week.” I’ve found that the latter works much better for me and is way less intimidating than trying to tackle the big sweeping mandates I’ve created for myself in the past.
So this past week I’ve accomplished some small things to make my life a little better right now:
- Created a monthly budget (as a guide)
- Ditched Quicken and started using a simple check register again
- Reduced my exercise goals to 3 times a week (if I exercise more, then yay!)
- Went to bed on time
- Assembled a bookshelf that I bought for my living room
- Started drinking more water
- Planned out my meals for the week
- Took a glucose tolerance test
- Rode the bus into work more often than not
And although each one of those things are in and of itself small and seemingly inconsequential – together they amount to a series of tiny revolutions towards achieving those big expansive goals that I have for myself. All of those small actions subconsciously tells me that I am going somewhere. And for now, I won’t worry so much about the final destination. I am just going to work on the journey getting there.
And though I am not fond of poetry, lately I’ve been reciting this one in my head:
Speech to the Young: Speech to the Progress-Toward
Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the self-soilers,
the harmony-hushers,
“even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night.”
You will be right.
For that is the hard home-run.
Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.
Tags: cnn, ireport, Weight Loss, weight loss photos, weight loss stats
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 am and is filed under Weight Loss, Weight Updates. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
I’m with you on short-term goals! I’m a list-maker, and my list is only for today. It feels good crossing things off that list.
Asianmommy´s last blog post..It’s Summer Movie Time!
Well, I’m just going to be cheesy and say you’re an inspiration!!!
right on. this was a perfect post for me to read today – thank you!
bluejeanamy´s last blog post..For lots of days I talked of pie
Good for you. I am too going to lose 2lbs this week. “It is better to travel than to arrive” right?
Taking those little steps is really the beginning. Without them, we get caught up in the ultimate goal and don’t have those little satisfactions everyday.
Congrats on your weight loss this week. Keep up the great job!
Laura´s last blog post..Do-It-Yourself Lamp Project
You rock so much and you don’t even know it!
I am trying this approach as well… baby steps…
Thank you for this poem.
LP´s last blog post..I Graduated
This sounds almost like the to-do list I made with “gimmes” like “brush your hair” and “get dressed.” Sure, it was stuff I already planned to do, but it looked better on paper. =) Again, very inspirational post!
Here here. I look at losing 5 kilos at a time (Aussie here)…when I’m actually trying, but it does work! Thanks for being my little bit of inspiration.
Rachael´s last blog post..Funky mood
What an awesome poem – thank you for sharing it.
Jenn´s last blog post..Workout Wednesday: Deep Thoughts
I have always wanted to live in Seattle- but since I have seasonal depression I think it would be a bad place for me. I need lots of SUN… which makes me ask myself why I am living in Arkansas….
jasmine´s last blog post..The Second
It’s the same way in Portland – this week, we all remember why we live through 7 months of rain. My best friend (who’s from Coos Bay, which I still think is funny. Small world and all) is heavy, and she rocks the short shorts and tank tops all summer. She’s probably 100lbs heavier than you, and I’m 160lbs and I’m the one going “is this skirt too short for my thighs?” while she doesn’t care at all. You don’t need to suffer in your long pants, if you feel good, you look good.
I’m trying to get with the enjoy-the-moment, small goals first thing, so thank you for the inspiration. When I do something really fun, I find myself thinking “I should do this again!” or “I should do this with so-and-so” instead of just enjoying doing it this time, now, with these people. Life is so much richer when you remember to enjoy today.
Alison´s last blog post..moist