These past two weeks, I have focused on fueling properly for my walking, running, and writing. It has felt good to begin getting back to more consistent running. I exercised 5 days the week of June 22nd and 6 days this week. Also, this 2-week period marked the first time since February that I ran 4 non-stop miles outdoors. (I’m working back up to be in good enough shape to begin my 10-week training plan for the Air Force Half Marathon, which is September 19th on a hilly course.) What became clearest to me since my last post is the importance of seeing everything as a practice. Everything comes down to what we practice.
I remember a time when I was pretty cocky about my running. I was consistent enough that I could pretty much decide to run a half marathon at any moment. I saw myself as someone who was race-ready; it was part of my identity. What I’ve realized recently is that always being race-ready was never actually part of being Koritha. It wasn’t a condition to be take for granted. It was the result of what I was practicing regularly. I was running very consistently and enjoying it immensely. Things are very different now, but that’s no reason to bemoan that fact as if it represents something deep. It’s simply not what my practices over the last several months will yield.
Likewise, eating well is a practice. If you do it, you will see and feel the difference. If you don’t keep doing it, you will see and feel the difference. So, it may not be a good idea to come to think of yourself as someone who is simply a healthy eater. Rather, you must practice healthy eating daily or maybe decision-by-decision. There’s no permanent condition that makes you “a healthy eater.” It’s a practice. It must be practiced.
Honestly, I don’t know how well I’m articulating this, but it has felt like a powerful insight these past two weeks. For me, it’s about not taking anything for granted. It’s about seeing myself as practicing that which I know fuels the life I enjoy. It’s in my power to practice that which will make me feel better as I exercise and as I think and write.
There is no magic! That’s not bad news, though. Each moment brings an opportunity to practice what will be beneficial.
This is a very timely post: I’ve gained back 20 of my 50 pound loss, and it has been the hardest thing to even move a few pounds and continue the journey. I think I know how to eat and exercise, but the truth is, my routine has been reduced to half, and I was still eating for the six-day-a-week routine! Needed to get my head together. So I started back to the night meal being a healthy smoothie and increasing my workout days – and getting more sleep and taking my vitamins. The discipline starts in the mind, without delusions. Thanks, Dr. K!
Oh, I’m so glad, Ms. Linda! I’m glad you’re working on not seeing it as some kind of negative about who you are but simply as a change in habits that you remain empowered to change again. Ah, yes. And more sleep! That definitely plays a role. Sending you good energy.
I am looking forward to restarting my walking-yoga routine again after abandoning it about a year and a half ago. It’s a every day commitment; so I get what you mean when you say eating healthy and exercising is a practice. I need to take it one day at a time. Okay, here I go. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
Excellent! Yes, please do. I’m also trying to establish a consistent yoga practice. We can do this!!!