Who are you running for?
Hey there FitFam! Recently I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a Wellness Wednesday in my E2M (Eager 2 Motivate) fitness community. (Side note: I have been with this fitness community for about a year and half and I credit my last 40 pound weight loss and my desire to run races to this accountability group).
In the interview I was asked to talk about my journey and its impact on my life and career. I was truly honored to share my journey and provide insight into some of my lived experiences but a couple of questions made me think… Who do you exercise for? Why do you choose to workout and live this lifestyle? To me those are the million dollar questions. So here are my thoughts and my why!
I run for me! I know that I always wanted to workout and take care of myself but it was doing it for the wrong reasons and then I would fall off and end up worse than when I started. I was watching others, always in a mental competition, always feeling like a failure and always comparing myself to other people. When I did that I failed because it was not truly in my heart to do it. I was doing it to impress others or because I saw how others looked and I wanted to look like them too. My life changed when my perspective changed. I learned that I must be on this journey for me. I must love myself, believe in myself and want this journey and lifestyle for myself. Now that I have me in mind the journey is different. It is me vs me. I am not in competition with anyone else. I am not trying to be like influencers, models or be skinny. I have literally made the choice to choose me, choose health. I choose to love my mind, body and soul in its current state, past state and future state. Coming to this acceptance and realization has been a game changer for me. It has also opened my eyes to the fact that as I take care of me I am truly taking care of the people I love and support.
I feel as though I am a better person able to serve, support, empower and lead. I have the physical capacity to work through our long days as well as the mental capacity to think clearly under pressure. I believe this lifestyle of running, exercise and self-care have propelled my ability to lead. I have also gained confidence in so many different areas of my life. I am secure sharing former pictures, stories and experiences, positive and negative, if I know it will help someone else on their journey. Old me would definitely be insecure and not share. So yes, this journey is about me and yes it is also about you.
My challenge to all of us, educators and leaders, is to “…put your oxygen mask on first…” We literally must take care of ourselves as we serve and support our students, colleagues, families and communities. The outcomes will change the trajectory of our personal and professional lives. We will reap the rewards and we will serve as examples for our own families, students, colleagues, communities and more. In the end we will feel great while we serve.
I leave you with this quote that resonates with me says, “I never regret it when I do it, but I always regret it when I don’t.” So…let’s go. Let’s do it. Do not put it off! Go on that 20 minute walk, starting drinking more water, meal prep some food, make plans with an accountability partner. It’s never too late to start…you will not regret it.
Let’s have a wonderful start to the school year. Choose yourself as you serve others.
Continue to #InspireExcellence
