change - I'm ready for you!

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

“Are you ready for change?”

That is my new mantra. Sometimes it changes to – “are your REALLY ready for a change?”

How often have I said, or heard someone else say, “I’d give my right arm to look like her” or “I’d do anything to be like that”? And we all know as soon as we say it that we don’t really mean it. I mean – who’d really give up their right arm or do ‘anything’ (literally) for a better body?

For me, I think that it’s about really wanting and being willing to work for the change. Whatever that change may be – and for some people it is different things. For some it’s about the number on the scales, or a lifestyle they’ve been coveting or changing their diet or incorporating fiscal goals into a healthy way of life or just having a better mental outlook.
When you visualize the ‘change’ you want in your life – what does it look like?

For me I think about a few key words: Strong, Peaceful and Ready.

Strong – that word can mean so many different things – and honestly, my definition of the word changes day to day. So what “strong” means is still a work in progress. But I know I want to be able to identify with it.

Peaceful – when I think of some of the women I admire most, or that I think are most beautiful it is those that seem at peace (and sometimes showcase) their ‘quirks’. They are not the women who hide behind hair or layers of make-up or wear outfits that they hope hide their imperfections. It’s those women who have found peace with their individuality that I admire. I want that. I want to get to the point where I look in the mirror and don’t notice my faults first. When you look at your hair in the mirror, what do you notice first? The 5 out of place or the 100,000 hairs that are where they are supposed to be? Personally, my hair has some funky flips – but I love the color. I want to get to a place where I feel peaceful enough to admire my color and laugh at my funky flips and waves.

Ready – When I went to grad school, my inspiration was to be “ready”. Ready for what, I did not know…but ready. I wanted to have the knowledge and degree so that when a door opened I would be ready to walk through it with confidence. I want the same thing but in a physical way. I want to be in that place where if I was invited to go on a hike or a bike ride or kayaking or whatever – I could just say “sounds awesome. I’m ready!” and not think, “oh no… what if I’m not fast enough, strong enough, or mentally tough enough?” I’m ready to be “ready”.

I know that these are all going to take time. But I think that “strong, peaceful and ready” all represent a change that I want and am willing to work for.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AGASSIFAN 6/9/2011 8:43AM

Well said!!!! Glad to see you "reborn"...success is within your grasp!!! Peace & love! DebbyO Report Inappropriate Comment

GIVEUP30 6/9/2011 1:18AM

keep thinking positive Report Inappropriate Comment

my new mantra

Monday, June 06, 2011

"Are you ready for change!?"

It's what I asked myself this morning at 4:40 a.m. knowing that was the only time I would have all day to get in a workout. And the answer was "yes!"

It's also the question I asked myself when my work offered a course starting tomorrow on sea-kayaking. I wrote back and said "Yes".

I'm ready for change!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GIVEUP30 6/7/2011 12:58AM

good for you we all need a change if not going down but we do want to have fun as we exericise...I love it... Comment edited on: 6/7/2011 12:58:14 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

taking the advice you give

Saturday, June 04, 2011

Sometimes listening to the advice that we give – is so hard – but should be easy. After all, the words are coming from our own mouths and our mouths and our ears really aren’t that far apart. But it’s sometimes so much easier to talk than it is to listen.

This week our youngest daughter came home with an acceptable grade on a science project. When we talked about it, she said, “What’s the point I’ll never be Olivia? Stop expecting me to get the grades she gets.” Olivia is our oldest daughter and received a number of recognitions for her academic successes. Emma’s grade however was really unacceptable – let’s just say it was below a 60 and she had guidelines to follow for the project that she just flat-out ignored.
We talked about a lot of things. But on the pieces of our conversation hit on how she has gifts that are different than her sister like art & music. I told her that she should remember those gifts and focus on being the best Em she could be. She shouldn’t worry about how smart she thinks her friends are or even worry about her sister, but she shouldn’t simply shrug and give-up either.

That’s so applicable to how I feel as a runner sometimes. We have been blessed with guidelines, encouragement/advice from others, training plans, websites, books, podcasts and more technical clothing/sneakers than you can shake a stick at. But it all comes down to us. The running authors of the blogs that I read can’t run for me, but neither should I think, “Look at all of those successful and strong runners out there – what’s the point – I’ll never be like them”. By thinking such things we often beat ourselves before we even start.

Honestly, it’s so easy to feel that way so many times…
There are women prettier than me – People smarter than me – richer than me – more athletic than me – better cooks than me…..
BLUCK – BLUCK – BLUCK - RUBBISH
Sometimes I just need to remember to be take my own advice and just strive to be the best me I can be and remember to be happy.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AGASSIFAN 6/6/2011 7:11AM

GREAT BLOG!!!! AND great advice to your daughter...and remember how she looked at you when you were giving that great advice... That would inspire ME to take my advice (realizing how I looked when I was denying my poor decisions/actions....). We ALL do it!!! So much easier to advize than execute!!!!! Peace & love! DebbyO Report Inappropriate Comment

GIVEUP30 6/5/2011 12:31AM

WOW!! this is such an honest to goodness blog....my mother had 8 children I was the oldest girl. Had to learn early to clean house and pick up after everyone. Sisters never came along until I was a teenagers then it was more diapers and work. I would start on project as soon as I got information everyone else seemed to wait until the last minute and could still get good grades. Except for my one brother who couldn't get any thing but d's. Then I heard someone offer my next to the oldest brother five dollars for ever b and a he could get I spoke up and said I'll show you my report cards I will try too. I was told don't think so. Think was for him only you are doing fine. So try and see if some kind of reward would help your daughter want to follow all the instructions. I don't think the five dollar one is a good one...good luck... Report Inappropriate Comment

1.5 down, hope is up

Monday, May 02, 2011

So this morning I weighed in.

I hate my scale. Not because of the number that it shows me (although that can be annoying) but because it is old and sort of gross and in my cellar. It's way too big to put in my tiny bathroom, and some "gunk" has materialized on the plastic so it can be a little hard to read. But I believe that the needle stopped somewhere between 160 & 161. Not in the 150s, as I had hoped but - oh well maybe next week.

I am happy about my physical activity. Yesterday I ran nearly 5 miles before heading to church and then did another 4 later in the day on a new path.

My new job is in Unity Maine and Unity has a nice park called the "Field of Dreams" each loop on the path around the parameter of the park = 1 mile. How cool is that???

I love finding new places to run.

Food is going better.

Water seems to be the battle right now.

And I'm holding up my plan to check in on SP more often.

So things are looking pretty good.

The new job is going well, but I'm pretty tired. It's not physically demanding but there's a lot to learn which is tuckering me out a bit on the mental/thinking side. It's a very busy time around campus as commencement is this weekend and everything needs to be in and ready for that.

So all and all things are good.

Unfortunately, my husband and I are going through a bit of a trial but we'll get through it. It's just stressful in the moment, you know???

Cheers my friends and I hope your Monday is as sunny as ours is in Central Maine.

- Heather

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GIVEUP30 5/14/2011 2:06AM

on your 1.5 lose had to do another for it would let me do what I wanted on the other one I posted Report Inappropriate Comment

GIVEUP30 5/14/2011 2:03AM

thank you for saying Maine for thought if you lived close to me I could help you get a new scale..... I live far too far away across the states.. Report Inappropriate Comment

SETAGOAL1 5/13/2011 2:28PM

I am with Unity also. Have not been in a while but I was glad I stopped by now i think I will pay a visit. I am working on fitness myself. I was a running many years ago, the more I read other who do the more I am becoming interested again. I am encouraged Report Inappropriate Comment

PAULSNANASUE 5/13/2011 9:42AM

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KELSPRETTYGIRL 5/4/2011 10:32PM

Woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooo ! You go, Bovino! Love that weight loss! My downfall is eating, but I've been getting more than 8 glasses a day. I just hope to hit the almost gallon mark before 8pm PST. I like the 1 mile loop, makes it so easy to keep track. I hate having to go around a certain number of times before i make I mile, I lose track every time. The pedometer comes in handy, but pray that my stride length is accurate. LOL Been enjoying my time at Planet Fitness. I'm an addict. All I have to do is get there... then it's ON! Report Inappropriate Comment

A new life chapter

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Nearly 8 weeks after being called into an office and unceremoniously being asked to clean out my desk, as my job had been eliminated, today I start a new chapter.

I know that I was fortunate to find a job in a relatively (in this economy) short time.

I know that things in our lives happen for a reason, even if we don't always understand the timing.

I know that this journey would have been a lot harder had it not been for the support of my friends.

And I know that it felt good to start my day off with a two mile run to help clear my mind of any residual cobwebs and negative thoughts due to my job loss.

It's time to put the hurt behind me and focus on the chapter ahead. This is a chance to restart with a group of people who I've never met before, except in my interview. It's a chance to have a positive and hopeful attitude about my future career.

Now if I could just figure out what to wear!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUSIEMT 5/27/2011 11:47AM

I like your attitude. It will do wonders for your future. Report Inappropriate Comment

LOGDIVA 4/27/2011 7:26AM

Great way to start your first day at a new job. Know no matter what you wear today, your day will be awesome! Can't wait to hear all about it... Report Inappropriate Comment

BAYSIDE07 4/27/2011 7:19AM

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