October 12, 2004
Not good enough...
Please understand that I am not in a funk about my prior questioning. I am, in fact, very pleased with what I've accomplished in the last couple of years... I've changed my life permanently... my eating has been completely overhauled... my fitness is better than it ever has been in my life ever. I will be running a half-marathon for fuck's sake... what's not to be pleased with, right?
There is a discussion that Jim and I have about the concept of "good enough"... and the fact that it is deeply ingrained into our metaphysical beings that "good enough" is what people say when they fail. PLEASE understand that this is NOT how we view the rest of the world... just ourselves (ie. we are hypocrites).
If the amazing and most fabulous Lee were to say... "Ya know what, I can deadlift 250lbs and damnit, that's good enough for me." I would be right next to her Cheering, "Damned right, woman that is good enough for the whole damned world if you say so! Get up on it!!!" However, if I were to turn around tomorrow and say, "Ya know what? One pullup will do, that's good enough..." the trailing end of that thought would ALWAYS be "for now." and in the back of my mind it would NOT EVER actually BE "good enough" for me. Welcome to hypocricy city, ladies and gentlemen... I'd like to introduce myself, my name is lexysmash and I'll be your guide for this portion of the tour.
I have been down a bit about my lack of consitancy lately tho. I've not been planning and preparing well which leads to infrequent and binge-like eating and the inability to defray cravings. I've not been getting my mid-week workouts and runs in consistantly... that is hurting my training and interfearing with my ability to fall asleep at night (I always sleep better when I've worked out).
It's time to (once again) redouble, rededicate, remember what this is REALLY all about... and that is ME. That's right, its about ME. I deserve to take the time to get and stay fit and healthy and strong. I deserve a healthy, long, active life. I DESERVE fabulous muscles, good nutrition and daily exercise. I deserve it. and you do to... every last damned one of you.
YOU DO!!!! BELIEVE IT, damnit, because I DO!!!
now get outta my sight... I gotta sleep!
Posted by Lexy at October 12, 2004 09:30 PM
Comments
I have looked better than I do now. I have been fitter, trained harder, been more consistent, eaten better ... I have been able to plan and then carry out my plans... IOW I once did all the things that I'm finding real hard to do right now.
I did it then, so I can do it again. but you know what?
I wasn't happy with myself THEN. It was never 'good enough' and so I must conclude that it never will be.
I don't know what my point is, even. except, I guess I think I know what you mean. and ... I'm sorry!..lolxx
Posted by: rachel on 10/13/04 @ 04:25 AM
Yes, you deserve it. And if being about "ME" isn't enough to motivate you then consider this. By taking time away from others to workout you are giving time back to them. And it's higher quality time. You are also giving more to "THEM" by taking care of "ME". By taking care of yourself, you are also going to be around for them many more years, you will have more energy for them, and you will be happier around them.
I don't know you and I don't know if this will matter but I had an older person who had had a heart attack tell me the following when I was about 18 years old:
"Remember, you are going to have to spend time on your health sooner or later. Either you can spend it becoming healthy or you can spend it in a wheelchair or in physical rehab after surgery or in the hospital or in lost time from work, or even in the daily difficulties of doing the simplest tasks. Either way, the time will be spent. How much better would it be to invest it now in a higher quality of life? "
You don't know me either. But perhaps sharing my story will keep you going through the rough patches. A year ago I was 5'6" and weighed 210 lbs. I couldn't run 2 miles and when I ran I would pant and I ran about 15 minutes a mile. I decided to do something about my poor health and I trained. I fought weather, illness, work, life demands, and even wasp stings, to make time to take care of myself. On 10/10 I ran 26.2 miles at 10 minutes mile. Yes, I ran a marathon. In the process of training I lost 40 lbs., lowered my blood pressure, and gained a huge dose of energy which has benefited our son and my spouse/partner in life.
When my sister couldn't believe that I had run a marathon I asked her what she thought might be harder than running a marathon. She didn't know. I told her "training for it." The consistency is the hardest part of all. Here's the secret: just put on the shoes. That's the hardest part. After that you just go! And if you run, the eating issue is less important. First, you burn it off. Second, when you exercise you feel less like binging. Third, you probably eat more regularly, reducing binging. Fourth, you feel good about yourself so you are less likely to binge. But you probably know all this. What you don't know is that I have a short, thick body. Not at all built for running. So if I can run a marathon then you can do ANYTHING!
YOU DESERVE HEALTH!
P.S. I found your website because you mentioned running with Hollie. I found her website inspirational as I trained for my marathon.
Posted by: BD on 10/14/04 @ 01:40 PM
Despite my previous comment, it really is about you. It is, should be, and always shall be about you. And you KICK ASS! I just looked at your side-by-side comparison. Holy shit. Go you!!!
Posted by: BD on 10/14/04 @ 08:58 PM

You say:
"... if I were to turn around tomorrow and say, "Ya know what? One pullup will do, that's good enough..." the trailing end of that thought would ALWAYS be "for now." and in the back of my mind it would NOT EVER actually BE "good enough" for me."
I say:
AMEN, Sister!
You aren't alone in your hypocracy.
Posted by: Lee on 10/13/04 @ 04:11 AM