Editor’s Note: This post is part of the current series of posts submitted by healthy living bloggers on what health means to them. We are no longer taking submissions on this topic and will soon open the floor to a new topic.
This post is brought to you by JL from JL goes Vegan: Food & Fitness with a side of Kale.
“You look fit”
There was a time when I believed being thin = being healthy. I was (and still am) very goal-oriented. Whether getting a master’s degree by the age of 22 or fitting into a size four pair of jeans I just put my head down and plowed through. The funny thing is that I don’t actually recall how I achieved many accomplishments in my life. I was so focused on that outcome that I missed the process.
I now understand that the journey is the destination. I have goals and I’m driven but I’m far more interested in the “how” and the “now.” I am training for a half-marathon. The race is October 3. There was a time when I would just follow the training plan, slug it out and care about nothing except the actual race day. Several injuries later I’ve learned that I might not make it to race day. So rather than assuming the only enjoyable thing about running a half-marathon is running the actual half-marathon, I focus on finding the joy in getting there. I ran eight miles this morning. They were glorious! I had a training goal (in this case to slow down) and I met it. When I got home I felt proud of myself for what I did today.
I have a “happy” weight. When I’m there my clothes fit perfect and I know that I’ve struck a good workout/eating balance. I’m not at that “happy” weight right now. I’m over by 3 or 4 pounds. This would have Freaked. Me. Out. a few years ago. But today I know exactly why: I made a conscious decision to scale back on my running in July, as I ran a half-marathon at the end of June
(Ready to run the Fairfield Half-Marathon)
and I knew that in August I would gear up for the October half-marathon. And in July I was blogging like mad. See, I’m a new blogger. I write about a vegan diet and fitness. Let’s just say that I’ve been testing out many, many recipes. My weight is up a bit and I’m deliriously happy. I no longer let the number on the scale in the morning impact my mood for the day. I know what my body needs and I know that moderation is the key. My half-marathon training is picking up and my weight will even out; I’m not at all worried or stressed about it.
Last week I had dinner with friends. As soon as I walked in the door a friend said “You look fit.” I started to grin from ear to ear. There was a time when “you look skinny” would have made me squeal with delight. You. Look. Fit. is so much better. It’s not about my size. It’s about me, inside and out. This is what being healthy means to me.
JL blogs about her transition to a vegan diet at JL goes Vegan: Food & Fitness with a side of Kale
Thanks JL! To stay updated on everything going on with HLB, please be sure to subscribe in your feed of choice!
I love this story! JL, you are an inspiration. You look fit and fabulous.
Thank you! That means so much!
“I was so focused on that outcome that I missed the process” – Exactly how I lost 65+LBS in a year.
Amazing story.. I can relate too well!
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
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