Not Off Track, Just a Part of the Climb

 

The final week....

This is where I address the idea of 'going off track'. There have been times along my journey where I feel that I am 'going off track' by making unhealthy choices. For me, unhealthy choices typically include: Oreos, wine, Doritos, Shameless, beer and ice cream (in that order). The more I think about it, these unhealthy choices are just a part of my real life. I am not shooting for perfection here, I am just working towards a better, healthier me. I'm learning that these unhealthy choices that have become a part of my life are just a part of my journey...or the climb. Let's step into the hypothetical for a moment....

When you are hiking (like a long hike, not an hour or two...more like a day or 100 days) you sometimes go off track, but you also usually have hard climbs. Just to clarify, when I say hike I also don't mean a walk in the woods, I mean UP a mountain, the kind of hike that hurts like hell, you think you are going to die in the middle, but spotting the car at the end somehow brings your (now noodle) legs into a very white girl (regardless of your race or gender) happy dance...come on, you know what I mean.  

Side note: I know I am not staying entirely focused with this article, normally that would drive me nuts, but I decided it was appropriate given the topic. Just bear with me, this too is a 'part of the climb' and will all be worth it. 

Back to the hypothetical...

When starting your hike, it is steady, challenging, but doable. This is very much like the beginning of making your healthier life changes...switching from coffee to tea, drinking more water, replacing Oreos with almonds. 

As you continue the climb, your legs are getting tired, your body is getting tired. The mountain likes to challenge you and becomes steeper, your legs burn, your eyes gaze at your feet (hoping they keep in rotation) and your mind circles around your next reward: water, overlook, rest...You recognize all of the past choices that might be working against you, but you must carry on. This is the 'part of the climb' that I referring to. 

In regards to your journey to a healthier you, this is where things become harder and you are faced with the habits that you are trying to rid yourself of and the new changes don't seem as easy as they did earlier on. Sticking to the plan is no longer easy. This is okay. 

Mixing the hypothetical with reality...

This is the time in your hypothetical hike or life journey that you give yourself a break. You give yourself grace. You sit down for a minute. You eat that Oreo. This is no place for a critic, but kindness. You have made the decision to climb and that needs to be rewarded. There will be many difficult parts of this hike, but if you always keep your eyes on the happy white girl dance at the end (again, I don't care what race or gender you are), you will get there. It will probably not be in 30 days, but you will be 30 days and a few good more good habits closer. It will be sloppy (much like this blog), it will be far from perfect, but it will be so worth it.