Great Expectations

Most of you know I am a runner. Today I ran a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles). Many months ago I picked this as my "goal" race. The one I was hoping to run my best. I had great expectations. I even have a coach and he said I could do it. I had a race day plan.

It started well, but about 9 miles in, the wheels started to fall off. I ran as hard as I could. I listened to my body, but never stopped pushing. The clock appeared and I was slower than my goal, by a good margin. I was disappointed, but glad to be done. And, as I've been know to say, what is the rest of the story? I reflected. Used this as feedback. I had run more shorter races this year. I needed more distance races. I had run a long relay last weekend, which tired me out. I had decided this should be my goal race instead of a later one, which would have let me recover, so I could go away with my husband next week and not worry about running.

Would I change anything? No! For any goal, you must figure out what you are willing to give up. For me, I traded today's fast time for fun races and time with my husband. Should I give up running? Forget about a 1/2 marathon personal record? NO!!!!

The same goes for my Weight Watchers members. When they join they have lofty goals. That's fine. But then they follow the program REALISTICALLY, and lose the .5 to 2 pounds per week and think that's not enough. Instead of realizing that they are losing weight and living their lives, they get discouraged. They want to QUIT. Losing weight and living healthy is NOT a race. It is a lifestyle. I am not an Olympic runner. I run to push myself, but also to have fun. You want to lose weight, but you want to live your lives.

Never give up. If you are not reaching your goals, is it because they too demanding or are you not following through? Most of us want to be the best person we can be without sacrificing what's important in our lives.

Want to get motivated? See you in the meeting.