Time for a Reset - NaBloPoMo #16

Picture on the left is from my college reunion in June, 2013. Picture on the right is today. I have figured out how to pose for a more flattering picture and could have done so today, but this post is all about the real deal.

In July 2013, I was in great shape. I was running regularly, had just run a 1/2 marathon and saw my lowest scale number in years.

And then.

I went through a period of time that we all experience from time to time. Nothing life-threatening, but very hard and challenging times. Followed by a sick (but now better) parent. I had high hopes for this summer and a lot of it was great.  All of us traveled to Israel. But when my husband, son and I came home after two weeks, my daughter's trip stayed on. The day after we got home, the rockets started flying out of Gaza.  She wasn't near them and was totally safe. That said, she was 5000 miles away from home and I was glued to CNN.

I know that the solution to stress is exercise. It makes sense. It allows one to think. To burn off excess engery. To cope in a healthy way. 

And yet, there is often a disconnect between what I know and what I do. So, instead of exercise, I ate my stress and feelings. And ate and ate. 17 pounds worth. I reverted to old patterns of comfort. Except that ultimately, food doesn't solve problems. It's just food after all.

So, I'm back to the drawing board. Resetting. And I'm determined!

As outlined in a article that a  friend recently posted, I'm approaching my reset from a place of self-compassion rather than a place of guilt and self-loathing.  (The article is entitled "How to Start Exercising When You're Already Overweight." It encourages readers to give themselves a break and be self-compassionate. One of my favorite lines is "research shows that self-compassion allows you to think of exercise with a growth mindset - as a skill - something that you can improve."  Growth mindset. Love that.)

17 weeks from today is the New Bedford Half Marathon. I signed up last night. It's a big, fun race and training for it will give my winter some focus.

Reset.  It's on!

Comments

[margene]

Believe in yourself and you'll do great!!

[Carole]

You are beautiful, always. But boy do I get it. Reverting to those old ways is so easy and yes, how come what we know and what we do tend to be so far apart???

[Lynn]

Oh, I know that comfort eating, especially this year (lots of deaths around me). However, I am slowly working on building up to rowing 30 minutes a day, four days a week, and even more slowly reworking what I eat. So, I hear you, I support you, and there's no way I would be brave enough to put photos of myself out there.

[Manise]

Wasn't that article great? Yes, the self-loathing just paralyzes I find, and I too have gained back a few pounds due to inactivity and stress related eating practices. Onwards with the reset and self-compassion.

[Judy]

What Carole said. So easy to slip.

[Cheryl S.]

I think it's very true that one of the key things is to find something that you enjoy doing.

Best of luck on your reset!

[Kim]

I'm right there with you on hitting the reset button and so far 6 pounds is in the bag. You've totally got this!!
PS..you are beautiful no matter what!

[Carolyn]

You look great in both pictures, friend! But, I'm so with you on the reset. I like the idea of a self compassionate approach to exercise.

[June]

Every day is a chance to start anew. Wishing you well!

[claudia]

I'm actually a little jealous. You signed up for a half-marathon, and you are going to kill it!

[Maryse]

Good luck!

[Abby]

Kathy - just catching up with your blog... but you have to remember that you are amazing with all that you are doing! To run a half marathon is something MOST people can't even think about doing!! Don't beat yourself up!!!

[Vicki]

Oh, man, don't I know it! Good luck with your training and the marathon (it'll be MARCH... springtime!). I think I'll go find a spring cycling event to sign up for... Thanks. ;)