“Nana korobi, ya oki” which means “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” It means choosing to never give up hope and to always strive for more.
This ancient Japanese Proverb is speaking to me – BigTIME!
For years – 27 to be in the ballpark, I have told myself I would lose at least 25 pounds. Well, 27 years and 30ish pounds later, I am still having this conversation. Can you relate?
As a partner in Good Fat Company, and the founder of the sister magazine, Good Fat Life, I decided before for the May issue press of Good Fat Like magazine, I would not have this conversation with myself AGAIN! I must be in integrity with what I say. How many times have you had this conversation in your head?
Well, I’ve tried. But Really, I have, and two things have made themselves very clear. First, I decided rather than committed (important language distinction here), and second? There were numerous hurdles I had to jump over to even start to have success. Thus, fall down 10,000 times, get up 10,001.
While all of this falling down is not pretty, it is working. I am learning that I have layers and layers or reasons to resist, and now that I am committed, I’m methodically kicking each hurdle to the curb.
You know, so many excuses like family birthdays, Mother’s Day, cat’s birthday, I don’t want to hurt my hosts’ feelings, etc. You name it: all reasons to eat off my food plan. Oh, and then it’s our wedding anniversary. That’s good for a week of celebrating! Seriously to still be happily together after 30 plus years – bring on the champagne.
Then there is no time to get my walk in, no clothes to wear on my walk, or heaven forbid nothing to wear to the gym. No food to eat that’s handy and darn it, I’m hungry! Hello, Good Fat Bars are in the freezer!
One of my new favorites? My watch, which records my steps, is dead. As if I can’t move without my watch tracking me? And then there’s my neighbor is out of town, so another reason I can’t walk, as no one to walk with and now it’s HOT out – Nope, I might sweat! I’m sure you have a few of your own I haven’t even mentioned. The latest one; the new scales don’t track my body fat. HA!
Bottom line, I have started keeping a list as each hurdle knocks me over. Once down, I get authentic and honest with myself as to what is really going on and I find a way to be successful. No excuses, just solutions. I joined Anytime Fitness. They have an INBODY machine that monitors my weight, body fat, muscle mass and a bunch of other key measurements. I made a commitment with the owners to take this measurement every month. I may even hire a trainer to keep me on track for a while.
I rummaged through my athletic wear and donated what I hated (didn’t fit) and bought a few new things that I love.
I’m ready for a different conversation with myself. I need this new conversation. It’s about self-trust and It’s time for me to trust myself to follow through in this area of my life. I may fall down another 10,000 times AND I am committed to getting back up 10,001.
What about you? What are some of the hurdles that have stopped you, and how did you jump over them?
Sherri Richards
P.S. I got the scales up and running, (thank you tech support) and I’ve lost 5.4 pounds!!!
