Every Change is Good

Snow in April, among other things, has made my monthly 100 mile running goals change. Last week I didn’t run because I was sore from the 8K race. I milked that soreness for all it was worth and didn’t work out the entire week. This week I was out sick for two days and I woke up to snow one morning. All this combined – I haven’t run in a week and a half and I’ve gained some pounds. When I went to enter my weekly weight on my weight tracker (see above under blog header) it actually told me, “Error – Current Weight can’t exceed starting weight”. Oh, but it can. And unfortunately it has. That little weight loss tracking apple was thrown back to the starting line.

SIGH.

Over the past year we’ve all dealt with changes, most notably in the economy. I’ve dealt with extreme changes in relationships/friendships, weight, career and living arrangements. All these changes were positive and fantastic, but they also brought on dramatic stress. Sleep-stealing stress. Binge-eating stress. Weight-gaining stress.

How should we deal with change? The world’s oldest man said, “Embrace change, even when the change slaps you in the face. ("Every change is good.")”

Speaking of change, check out my haircut.




BEFORE - Wild lion's mane



AFTER - Tamed bob



Last week a Facebook friend posted a link about Walter Breuning, the world’s oldest man who recently died at age 114. I teared up over the article, reading the words of wisdom and thinking of how much this 114-man had experienced: Wars, The Great Depression, Poverty. Through everything he stayed optimistic. One story he told was about the time he and his wife wanted to build a house. They bought property for $15 and just as they had their plans ready, it all went off the tracks when the Great Depression struck and “Nobody had any money at all”.  Reading his story helped put my past situations in perspective. My definition of “broke” ain’t nothing on his. At 27, I’ve got some living to do, and a lot of changing to do.

Another interesting point he shared, is that to enjoy a life of longevity, eat two meals a day ("That's all you need."). He went on to explain, “How many people in this country say that they can't take the weight off?...I tell these people, I says, 'Get on a diet and stay on it. You'll find that you're in much better shape, feel good…Everybody says your mind is the most important thing about your body. Your mind and your body. You keep both busy, and by God you'll be here a long time."

Such a simple philospophy yet so many Americans struggle with it daily.  I’m not happy with my change in weight over the past few months, but all I can hope is the slight gain will motivate me to get back on track.