So, I know it seems like I’ve been doing quite a lot lately in the way of fitness and running and all that good stuff. I have to be honest and admit that sometimes I worry that people that are new to SparkPeople or to healthy living in general will read some of the things I write, get inspired and then try to do too much too soon.

It’s interesting that I would post a warning like this, considering the fact that the moment I hear the words “don’t try to do too much too soon”, I instantly get defensive. In fact, it’s bordering on upset. I want to instinctively lash back at the person and say, “How dare you lecture me? Do you know my body? Do you know what I’m capable of? Do you think I’m stupid and won’t be careful and would knowingly do something to injure myself?”

Some of these folks are not qualified to say this to me. Others really are qualified – case in point, PAPAMIKIE who is a certified running coach. You can see his warning to me in my previous blog entitled “Important Information on Running”.

But, if I’m truthful, it was difficult for me to get to the point with PAPAMIKIE’s message where I calmed down enough to truly see what he was saying and take his advice as an expert in the field.

When it comes to this journey of health and fitness, our pride should take a back seat to an expert’s wise advice.

That being said, I am not at ALL claiming to be ANY kind of expert. In fact, quite the opposite. I am nobody. I am not a certified personal trainer. I am just a beginning runner and, frankly, I just started this journey four months ago.

It would be a lie if I said I haven’t worked hard to get to where I am today. I have worked hard. I’ve tracked my food religiously and denied myself plenty to stay within my calorie range most days. But I’ve also failed colossally and had some pretty bad eating days. I’ve worked running into my schedule, as if it were a work appointment. And I have not missed a day. However, I don’t expect to be able to keep that appointment EVERY SINGLE time. Things happen. I’ve got three kids and a full-time job and SOMETHING will happen on some miserable day that will cause me to miss a run.

So I am not at all perfect. But I am disciplined. I am determined. And I have been successful.

The thing is…I didn’t start off this way. Yes, there was that day that I decided enough was enough and I was going to do this and do it right. I have not looked back since that day.

But, before that, there was a day that I decided enough was enough and guess what? I was going strong for a few months and then I got sick, went on vacation, got lazy and my health journey at that point ended. I was MIA from SparkPeople for 7 months – gaining weight and slowly killing my body the entire time.

Even when I came back to SparkPeople in February, I was still skeptical. Still doubting myself. I was tentatively tracking, sporadically adding activity and for the most part, avoiding a lot of hard truths about how I was treating my body. I still wasn’t respecting myself. I started C25K and quit after 2 weeks. I continued to learn about health and my motivation for wanting to get healthy. I thought a lot about my life. I started C25K again.

It wasn’t until May 6th (3 months after I had re-started on SparkPeople) that I finally “got it”. That was the day that things shifted in my brain and in my heart and the healthy lifestyle took hold. This is when it finally began to feel second nature.

What I’m saying is…if you are just starting out with SparkPeople or exercising or making small healthy changes to your diet, don’t despair. You can bet that you won’t be able to meet your calorie range every single day. You won’t be able to run 2 miles your first time out. You may have trouble just getting your body to even shuffle along. Or walking might even be tough for you. One of the cornerstones of this site is starting small. Very small changes made gradually WILL change your entire outlook and your life. You can read inspiring blogs all day long on here and get excited about victories that your SparkFriends are achieving. That’s a wonderful way to start a spark in your own life!

But one of the most important lessons I am learning through all of this is not to compare my progress, my body, my diet, my running program, my weight loss to anyone else. Because it won’t be the same. My body doesn’t respond the same as anyone else’s body. My body is unique. My personality is unique. And this is MY journey. Not someone else’s.

Be motivated by your SparkFriends. Be happy for them when they achieve. Understand that something that might seem small to them could be monumental for you and vice versa. And both are equally spectacular. And be proud of yourself when you see progress, whether that be a perfect week of eating within your calorie range or one simple choice to eat a salad for lunch instead of a burger.

We are all here to be the best that we can be. Together, we can get there. Do your thing, friend. And I’ll do mine. And we will each be victorious in our own special way.