You've got this JENNIFER!
Happy Monday! And I mean it!
This weekend was an emotional roller coaster. I was so proud of myself for completing the 13.1 miles, but it physically and emotionally exhausted me. One minute I was completely elated that I was able to do it and the next I was unbelievably sad that I had not believed in myself all of these years.
It's very sad when you don't have confidence in yourself. The Former Fat Girl could put on the happy face and tell the world she was good enough, but she never truly believed it. She hid behind the food and used it as an excuse. She would tell herself "I can't do it because I am too fat", but then she would continue to sabotage herself by binge eating and sneaking food.
When I think about finishing that Half-Marathon I really do start to cry. In general they are tears of joy, but some are tears of sadness over the Former Fat Girl and how sad she was. My eyes tear up more than you know when I'm walking. I start to get choked up. I have to shake myself out of it and focus back on the task at hand or I'll never make it. I would love to have a whole cheering section at the finish line, but even if no one was there I would be okay because this is my journey. Besides, I will cry if it is just me or if there are 50 people there waiting for me.
So let's talk about the Half-Marathon. When I finally admitted that I had dreamed of doing it I was very defensive. What would people think? I made it very clear that it was the HALF marathon, not the full marathon. Why? Because I thought people would look at me and think "She's crazy. She's too fat do to do that." Then, once I got used to saying "Half-Marathon" I quickly followed it up with "I'll be walking it of course". Again, why? Why did I feel the need to clarify that? What do I care what people think? This is about me and how far I've come. If I could run it then I would. My knees just will not allow that and I have to accept that. It doesn't matter if I walk it or run it. I'm going to finish the whole freakin distance and that's what matters.
Of course last night I got a little excited about it and went on to the site. I found the times from last year. I wanted to see if there were people who were in my time range. I would come in at the bottom, but there were a good 15 people in my range. The former fat girl started to panic. "You're going to come in last. You'll be humiliated. Don't do it." Luckily, I shoved her to the side. I finished the distance. I still have two months to increase my time. But, who cares? What if I come in last? At least I will have tried and finished.
So what happened today? I went out at lunch to walk my 4 miles in the parking lot. Something had come over me. I was walking taller and a bit faster. Oh heck yeah! I shaved 5 minutes off of my 4 mile Parking lot pace (remember, I have to dodge cars...3 close calls today). I was walking faster and with longer strides. Why? Because I KNEW I could. I no longer had that nagging doubt in the back of my head. It was like a giant weight had been lifted off of me. I had conquered the distance. Now I just have to conquer the time.
There was no traffic on the way home and I made it to the park in record time. My plans for tonight got postponed so I could stop and walk if I wanted to. Oh I wanted to. I got out and put in another 3 miles. And I shaved off 3 minutes of my usual time. :-)
Whenever the negative thoughts start to creep in I just push them away with "YOU'VE GOT THIS JENNIFER! DON'T YOU FORGET IT! YOU HAVE COME SO FAR. YOU'VE GOT THIS!" I've got this!
You've got this too! Give yourself a goal. In fact, give yourself three goals. A short range, mid range, and long range. Once you reach your short range goal it will be easier to get to the mid range and so on. When you believe in yourself and know just what you are capable of you're whole outlook on life will change. BRING IT ON!
****Please note****
If you feel like you are alone on your journey and you just need some encouragement I am here for you! Shoot me an email and I will do my best to check in on you or give you the words of support you need several times a week. The journey is so much easier if you have support.
jhendersonfit@gmail.com
This weekend was an emotional roller coaster. I was so proud of myself for completing the 13.1 miles, but it physically and emotionally exhausted me. One minute I was completely elated that I was able to do it and the next I was unbelievably sad that I had not believed in myself all of these years.
It's very sad when you don't have confidence in yourself. The Former Fat Girl could put on the happy face and tell the world she was good enough, but she never truly believed it. She hid behind the food and used it as an excuse. She would tell herself "I can't do it because I am too fat", but then she would continue to sabotage herself by binge eating and sneaking food.
When I think about finishing that Half-Marathon I really do start to cry. In general they are tears of joy, but some are tears of sadness over the Former Fat Girl and how sad she was. My eyes tear up more than you know when I'm walking. I start to get choked up. I have to shake myself out of it and focus back on the task at hand or I'll never make it. I would love to have a whole cheering section at the finish line, but even if no one was there I would be okay because this is my journey. Besides, I will cry if it is just me or if there are 50 people there waiting for me.
So let's talk about the Half-Marathon. When I finally admitted that I had dreamed of doing it I was very defensive. What would people think? I made it very clear that it was the HALF marathon, not the full marathon. Why? Because I thought people would look at me and think "She's crazy. She's too fat do to do that." Then, once I got used to saying "Half-Marathon" I quickly followed it up with "I'll be walking it of course". Again, why? Why did I feel the need to clarify that? What do I care what people think? This is about me and how far I've come. If I could run it then I would. My knees just will not allow that and I have to accept that. It doesn't matter if I walk it or run it. I'm going to finish the whole freakin distance and that's what matters.
Of course last night I got a little excited about it and went on to the site. I found the times from last year. I wanted to see if there were people who were in my time range. I would come in at the bottom, but there were a good 15 people in my range. The former fat girl started to panic. "You're going to come in last. You'll be humiliated. Don't do it." Luckily, I shoved her to the side. I finished the distance. I still have two months to increase my time. But, who cares? What if I come in last? At least I will have tried and finished.
So what happened today? I went out at lunch to walk my 4 miles in the parking lot. Something had come over me. I was walking taller and a bit faster. Oh heck yeah! I shaved 5 minutes off of my 4 mile Parking lot pace (remember, I have to dodge cars...3 close calls today). I was walking faster and with longer strides. Why? Because I KNEW I could. I no longer had that nagging doubt in the back of my head. It was like a giant weight had been lifted off of me. I had conquered the distance. Now I just have to conquer the time.
There was no traffic on the way home and I made it to the park in record time. My plans for tonight got postponed so I could stop and walk if I wanted to. Oh I wanted to. I got out and put in another 3 miles. And I shaved off 3 minutes of my usual time. :-)
Whenever the negative thoughts start to creep in I just push them away with "YOU'VE GOT THIS JENNIFER! DON'T YOU FORGET IT! YOU HAVE COME SO FAR. YOU'VE GOT THIS!" I've got this!
You've got this too! Give yourself a goal. In fact, give yourself three goals. A short range, mid range, and long range. Once you reach your short range goal it will be easier to get to the mid range and so on. When you believe in yourself and know just what you are capable of you're whole outlook on life will change. BRING IT ON!
****Please note****
If you feel like you are alone on your journey and you just need some encouragement I am here for you! Shoot me an email and I will do my best to check in on you or give you the words of support you need several times a week. The journey is so much easier if you have support.
jhendersonfit@gmail.com
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