…begins with a single step.
I’m learning that, day by day. When I started the Body For Life program, I had to realize that I didn’t get out of shape in a matter of days, weeks, or months. It is the culmination of a lifetime of bad habits, “convenience” foods, and just plain being lazy. I knew my health was suffering, but I always procrastinated “until tomorrow.”
Then last year, the 40 inch pants were getting tight. I went to Busch Gardens, and had to ride the “big boy” seat on Alpengeist. Humiliation. Then came getting in and out of the shower. How it was harder to put on my clothes. How, when I tied my shoes, the knots were to one side or the other. When I would get out of breath just going up a flight of stairs. I was a textbook case for cardiac problems.
I’d done Body For Life in 2000, and had very good results. But in neglecting myself and putting other people first, I’d slid back into my old habits and packed on almost all the weight I’d lost. Sure, I wasn’t back to 280, but 260 was close enough, and it felt like I was smothering.
Tink and I were at a Flea Market and walked past a vendor that had both the Body For Life book and the Success Journal for Body for Life. I casually mentioned that I had done the program years ago and had good results, but just “didn’t have the time for it anymore.” (Note the excuse pattern here.) We continued walking (just about the only exercise I was getting those days), and came back around to pass the vendor again. I asked how much, just on a whim, for the two books. The response: $3.
If that wasn’t the sign I was looking for to encourage me to get fit, both physically and mentally, then I’d have to have been ignorant. I shelled out the $3, and started anew.
That’s been almost three weeks ago. My attitude has improved; my outlook on life is more positive. I can climb stairs without huffing and puffing. My clothes are getting loose. I’m slowly seeing improvement, and I’m happier with myself than I’ve been in years.
I’ve got a long way to go before I’m as fit as I want to be. But as the title says, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I’ve made that step… a step in faith… in faith in myself.
As a show of my belief in the life changing principles in Body For Life (which really are simple), I’ve started giving out copies of the book. I’m buying them used and passing them on to people who want to know more about the program. You keep the spirit of giving going and lives improve in the process.
Is there anything better than that, really?