I have a coworker who's getting married in June of next year and as she's found herself wanting and wishing for certain wedding dress options, she's on a mission to lose 40 pounds by September first.
Last night she tells me that she'd bought some "dance" exercise DVD and she'd done the workout every day so far this week. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that the definition of exercise varies from person to person. I totally get that it all depends on what shape you're in when you start exercising that tells you what you can and can't handle at the moment.
Weighing thirty pounds more than I currently do, I started out walking on the treadmill in my den twenty minutes a day at 3.3 miles per hour. The intensity of her exercise isn't what's chapping me here, believe me. It's what she said next.
"I worked out three days this week; I deserve this chocolate"
She had three Russell Stover chocolate easter eggs and a large bag of chips sitting on the cosmetic counter wanting me to assist her with her purchase.
I didn't say a word, but all I'm thinking is "Three days and you think you deserve it?? How interesting."
Going with that line of thinking, I totally deserve a stop at the drive thru on my way home from work on a day when I've busted my butt for nine hours straight putting away freight; and I also deserve a stop in the candy aisle for anything that's 39 cents with coupon this week, just because I did a weight training DVD before work yesterday.
HUH???
Here's what I actually deserve for my efforts; for weeks and weeks of smaller portions and exercise that I hated (most of the time) four to five times a week.
I deserve to wear smaller pants. (and I am; by one to two sizes so far)
I deserve to feel accomplished when I can out-lift the instructor on my weight training DVD. (I totally kicked her butt; you can see in certain camera shots that her heavy weights are 8# and mine were ten)
I deserve to be able to say "thank you!" and mean it when someone gives me a compliment on how I look. (I'm working on this one.)
And I think that I even deserve to get kinda excited to look at my reflection in the mirror and see that indeed, I am smaller and this is working.
No offense, Russell Stover, but this beats your chocolate any day.
4 comments:
WHOOO HOOO! So true, my friend!! So proud of you...and we deserve SO much more than chocolate!!
I have been one to be in the food reward mentality. It never works. My "new" strategy is to create smaller goals and "reward" myself with things like a new top or new pants ( cuz I'll hopefully need them at that time) a massage, professional color, etc. It's been a while since I've gotten to a reward level. better get crackin', huh?
I'm so proud of you! :)
Amen sister! Amen! You do deserve the success you are having, and you DO look GREAT! Keep up rewarding yourself in this way, keep learning to accept the compliments. You are God's child, and He is proud of you too and loves to "show off" through His creation!
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