How Well Do You Adapt to Change?
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
8/4/2011 6:00 PM
: 61 comments
: 13,334 Views
I've always been a creature of habit. I remember when I was young, I was reluctant to learn how to drive. I had a very hard time moving out of my parents house on my own. Any time there have been big changes in my life, it's usually taken quite a bit of adjustment. I've always been slightly envious of those people who are able to just "go with the flow" and take change as it comes. I've never been able to do that easily.
If you follow my blogs, you know I love running. Before kids, I trained regularly for marathons and loved to push myself to see how much faster I could get. I remember the days when I felt like any run under an hour was pretty much a waste of time. My, how things have changed. I still love training for endurance events. I ran one marathon last year and plan to run another next fall. But these days I'm happy to find any time for myself to exercise. I'm no longer disappointed if I don't have the perfect workout. I've learned to accept the fact that being regularly active with two small children and another on the way is an accomplishment. That's right- I'm pregnant with baby number 3.
I was still running the week my first two were born, something I was very proud of. This time, my body hasn't cooperated quite as much, so I recently started walking and will continue that (along with strength training) until the baby arrives (which won't be long!) Making the transition from running to walking would have been a really big deal to me in the past. I would have been totally disappointed with myself that I couldn't push harder and tough it out. But my priorities and expectations of myself have changed. I've realized that my fitness level doesn't define who I am. Exercise (specifically running) will always be an important part of my life. But if I have other, more important things to focus on for a while, that's okay.
So I'm trying to become a little bit more like those "go with the flow" folks I've always envied. Don't get me wrong- I still have a very hard time with that in most other areas of my life. But right now, where fitness is concerned, I'm trying to listen to my body and give it what it needs instead of fighting for what I think I should be able to expect of it.
How well do you adapt to change? Whether it's fitness, nutrition or other areas of your life, are there times when you've struggled with it?
If you follow my blogs, you know I love running. Before kids, I trained regularly for marathons and loved to push myself to see how much faster I could get. I remember the days when I felt like any run under an hour was pretty much a waste of time. My, how things have changed. I still love training for endurance events. I ran one marathon last year and plan to run another next fall. But these days I'm happy to find any time for myself to exercise. I'm no longer disappointed if I don't have the perfect workout. I've learned to accept the fact that being regularly active with two small children and another on the way is an accomplishment. That's right- I'm pregnant with baby number 3.
I was still running the week my first two were born, something I was very proud of. This time, my body hasn't cooperated quite as much, so I recently started walking and will continue that (along with strength training) until the baby arrives (which won't be long!) Making the transition from running to walking would have been a really big deal to me in the past. I would have been totally disappointed with myself that I couldn't push harder and tough it out. But my priorities and expectations of myself have changed. I've realized that my fitness level doesn't define who I am. Exercise (specifically running) will always be an important part of my life. But if I have other, more important things to focus on for a while, that's okay.
So I'm trying to become a little bit more like those "go with the flow" folks I've always envied. Don't get me wrong- I still have a very hard time with that in most other areas of my life. But right now, where fitness is concerned, I'm trying to listen to my body and give it what it needs instead of fighting for what I think I should be able to expect of it.
How well do you adapt to change? Whether it's fitness, nutrition or other areas of your life, are there times when you've struggled with it?
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Comments
I usually have to be led kicking and screaming the whole way for any kind of change. Deep breathing my way through it usually does help! - 8/26/2011 9:37:57 PM
Having backup or contingency plan helps me get through what ever comes up.
I play a game "What would you do if:"
Hungry and only bad fast food joints around... find a market , get fresh fruit and a bit of cheese from the deli.
Raining hard and cannot walk outside... That's what dvd's and SP videos are for.
Sprained ankle... Chair exercises.
Don't get me wrong I do love the comfort of routines too, but being open gives me the opportunity to try something new and something to perhaps bring into my life more.
- 8/19/2011 9:12:21 PM
Good for you for seeing what your priorities are and adjusting to them, you AND your growing family will be all the better for it.
Congratulations and God Bless not only you new child but it's older siblings who will also be learning to embrace change in their family dynamics!
Frances - 8/7/2011 7:12:15 PM
I have learned to adapt to change better by lowering my expectations and go with the flow. So what if things don't go the way I want? The world keeps going. Lowered expectations=less disappointment in the long run for me. It is what it is! - 8/7/2011 9:44:16 AM
Congrats, that is such great news, and to see
you keeping up ith the exercises during the
pregnancy, way to go! Best wishes. - 8/6/2011 9:27:09 AM
Congrats, that is such great news, and to see
you keeping up ith the exercises during the
pregnancy, way to go! Best wishes. - 8/6/2011 9:27:04 AM
Great blog. Change and I used to be archnemesis. But as I've grown older I have learned to go with the flow more. You'll see . . . it'll happen! Especially with 3 kids to take care of! - 8/6/2011 8:38:40 AM
- 8/6/2011 12:04:30 AM
Congrats, Jen! - 8/5/2011 10:12:58 PM
Congrats and God bless you and your family!
- 8/5/2011 9:18:57 PM
I don't react very well to change myself.
Hugs Donna x - 8/5/2011 4:49:45 PM
I guess I EXPECT more now that I'm older and hopefully a LITTLE WISER. - 8/5/2011 2:53:23 PM
I used to think I was good at going with the flow (I could change types of software at work very easily), but I have never been good at going out of my comfort zone. I am definitely not a salesperson, which I was forced into at one job. I would have loved to move to the country when I was younger and maybe still would, but lately I would just rather stay where I am. However, getting older does not make me go with the flow better. I hate it and I fight it, but it is taking it's toll on me. - 8/5/2011 2:45:32 PM
Simultaneously, I am surer about which 'hills I'm willing to die on" than I was: my priorities are clearer--and fewer & simpler--than they used to be. Seems all of a piece somehow.
Congratulations, Jen, on the courage to be a three-fer Mom. I wish you all the best. - 8/5/2011 2:03:05 PM
I have not been one that really embraces change very easily. However, for the past year, there have been many changes in my life. I was "warned" ahead of time by getting repeated feelings during my devotions that change was coming. God was letting me know that the change would be OK as long as I handled it with prayer. Thus when out of the blue, my financial situation was going to be changing and I knew I would have to sell my house before I lost it, I was somewhat prepared to go ahead and do what was necessary. The details, which seemed very difficult, worked out with prayer and cooperation from my family. I have had some other changes in my life also, but at least I am prepared to handle them with prayer. I know some other changes are coming in a few months, but I am praying about them. - 8/5/2011 1:03:14 PM
I agree, going with the flow gets easier with age. - 8/5/2011 7:34:35 AM
As far as change goes, I'm one of those who adapts fairly quickly. I feel that life is too short to waste it in a negative space. What really scares me is the idea of sameness, boredom, and complacency. - 8/5/2011 7:33:10 AM
I think "going with the flow" becomes easier as we age - these days I am thrilled with anything and everything I can do. Clint said it best, "a man's gotta know his limitations".
While there's nothing wrong with pushing, sometimes your best try just has to be good enough. - 8/5/2011 6:57:46 AM
I like to juggle several priorities at one time, rather than know exactly what I have to do every day at work. I've dealt with several serious health issues, including breast cancer & its treatments, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and possibly prediabetes (waiting for test results). I've been very stressed about all these things, but I find them challenges that I have to learn to deal with. If that means cancelling plans for dr appointments, or because I feel crappy on the day I'm hosting a party for friends - I just reschedule. It's not the end of the world. - 8/5/2011 1:55:48 AM
And congratulations on your wonderful attitude!
I'm not good at all with change - and everyone who knows me knows it! LOL!! If we need to make a change, my friends usually try to bring it up a few days ahead of time, so I'll have time to adjust to the idea before a decision has to be made. - 8/4/2011 11:19:35 PM
Nope, I really REALLY dislike change. I dig in my heels and go kicking and screaming....I know this about myself and try not to let it happen, but what can I say? Much as I'd love to embrace change I'm a creature of habit! - 8/4/2011 11:13:40 PM
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