Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thanks




It has occurred to me recently that Americans love to complain. Now, that wouldn’t be so bad if we could all say that we balance these negative comments with positive ones. But sadly, few of us do. Nothing is safe from our lamenting…the weather…our paychecks….our spouses…our kids….our bodies….need I go on? What’s worse is if you think about our social interactions, what are we talking about? Chances are, we’re complaining to our friends or family about probably our friends or family.

Other cultures, from what I’ve unscientifically observed, do not complain as much as we do. Yet we profess to be the greatest country in the world! If it’s so great, why do we complain so much? Is it because we are so self-centered? Short sighted perhaps?

British people seem to complain a lot less than we do. In fact, they apologize for the most ordinary things, “sorry” is a staple word in their vocabulary. And when asked how things are going, they commonly reply “fantastic” regardless that their marriage is in the dumps, their children are hooked on drugs and they just lost their job. So why can’t we show a little fortitude and restraint?

We have a lot to be thankful for! (Yes, I just said something positive, despite the “looming depression,” the downward spiraling stock market, the fact that I just lost my job, and the costs of most necessities are rising.)…now that wasn’t so hard.

In less than a week, we as a nation will celebrate “Turkey Day.” Wait a minute…it’s actually called THANKSgiving. It’s not the turkey that should be the focus here. Get it? This is strictly an American holiday, so let’s take the opportunity to prove that we CAN do it. We can be positive!

So, here’s your assignment:
Lets all suck it up, atleast for the next week, and talk to our co-workers, family and friends about what kindness you witnessed (ie a stranger let you go in front of him at the backed up grocery checkout), instead of complaining of the bitter cold, focus on the beautiful cardinal at your birdfeeder or the Currier & Ives-like snowfall you see as you drive to work. Instead of grinding your teeth because your spouse again left their clothes on the floor, remember he set up the coffee maker the night before so that you could wake to it’s wonderful smell and it is ready and hot waiting for you. Let’s show some thanks for a change.

Friday, November 21, 2008

These shoes were made for walking…but now they run!


Seven weeks ago I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer in efforts to change my body, my health and my life. In these seven weeks I have not only improved my body and health, but learned a few other things along the way.

1. Be careful what you say. When Katherine (my trainer) asked how many hours I’d be willing to work towards my fitness goal every week. I answered “4 to 6 hours.” Clearly my mind was leaning toward 4 or less, but I wanted to impress her with my commitment. “Good,” she answered, “we’ll go with 6!” And she promptly fashioned a workout regime that brought me to the gym 6 days a week!

2. A minute is a very long time. I’ve never been a runner. In fact, I hated any thing to do with running and for most of my life have avoided most sports activities, with running being at the top of the list. So when Katherine prescribed 20 minutes of running every week, I was not overly enthusiastic about it. So in the first few weeks I’d run for a minute or two and “quickly walk” the remaining 18 minutes.

3. Soy milk isn’t that bad; neither is pitas, yogurts, salads and shredded wheat¬—these are staples in my diet now. Oh yeah, and 60 calorie, sugar free Jello brand chocolate pudding (premade and in the refrigerated section of your grocery store) IS THE BOMB!! Yum!

4. Things change. 36 visits to the gym (I took a week off due to a sinus infection) will change your body, your health and your life. Although I still have a long way to go, I have lost 12 pounds and 11 inches of my body. And today I ran for 26 minutes and 30 seconds…and it felt GREAT!