 I read this and realized how very true it is. Have you ever loved the same book as a friend, and when you discussed parts, you remembered COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS? Different parts of a book will speak to different people, because of the memories and dreams that particular person feeds from when reading.
For the purpose of this blog, I'm speaking of the book I'm reading now. Now, as I mentioned before, I've never been one for "self-help" sort of books. I mean, what is someone who DOESN'T EVEN KNOW ME going to say that will help me change my life? But if there's one thing I've learned while going through this health transformation with Beachbody, it's that there really are SO MANY people that are going through the same thing I am. And Beachbody is helping me so much, and it's something that's available and WORKS for the masses, so why couldn't I get a little extra help from a book? If there are people out there going through the same experiences I am, then why wouldn't someone be able to help us, at least a little?
As I mentioned before, I'm reading Awaken the Giant Within, by Anthony Robbins. I read this book last year, and it really spoke to me. It really is what finally got me up off the sofa and into a pair of running shoes. I'm reading it again, now, to keep me motivated in these tough, winter months. I recommend this book WHOLEHEARTEDLY to anyone who wants to make a change in their life - whether it be losing weight, getting more organized, fixing a broken relationship - WHATEVER! Although it IS an older book, and some of the references he uses are a little out of date, the message is CLEAR. Robbins gives an awesome perspective on how easy it really is to make a change in your life RIGHT AWAY. He really makes you believe you can do it, and guess what - YOU CAN!!
As the quote implies, each person who reads the book will get something different out of it. Hell, the first time I read it, I was looking to lose weight and take control of my health. This time around, I'm reinforcing the patterns I learned the last time, as well as focusing on success and money. So, even the SAME PERSON is going to get something different each time they read it!
So, today I'm focused on getting a big chunk of work done with my book. I've been reading a little each day, for a little morning kick start. But I'm getting into the "meat and potatoes" of the book right now, so this afternoon I want to really sit down, get some reading done, and set a plan into place for success this year. My goal is to be done by the end of the month. When you do read the book, you should really take the time to work out the process he lays forth. It'll take a little time to get through the book. But it's not meant to be a fast read...it's meant to help make a change. That's something you don't want to just breeze through...so if you decide to read Awaken the Giant Within, take your time...
So, I know what this quote is about...standing up for what's right and all that, which I wholeheartedly believe to be true. But I actually thought of it in another way after something happened the other day, so I thought I'd share....
A few days ago, at work, I was walking through the dining room (I work in a restaurant in case you didn't know) and an older lady stopped me. She asked me if I would walk another elderly lady (it seemed like maybe her sister) to the restroom so that she could continue eating. Of course I would! So the woman took my arm and off we went. I learned, on the way to the restroom, that she had fallen down and broken her kneecap a while back, and now she couldn't walk without leaning on someone or something. We chatted while we walked, but there was definitely an air of tension - she was embarrassed, I could tell. So I tried to chat about things like her pretty nail polish and her granddaughter (who had painted her pretty nails). When we got back to the table, she said "I've got it from here, young lady. Thank you so much." She was able to walk the last few feet back to her seat and get settled in just fine, so I left and continued on with my day. But this experience just really got me thinking about defeating it must feel to need help getting anywhere you needed to go. And I thought about the way I used to treat my body, and how much more alive I felt now that I'm getting healthier.
Now, this lady was, I want to say, about 80 years old. And at 80 years old, if you need some help getting up and around, then so be it...I think you've earned that right. But I look at myself less than a year ago. I couldn't walk a flight of stairs without getting winded. When I knelt down, there was pain in my knees, and I couldn't get back up without bracing myself. When I sat - well first of all, it hurt my knees just to sit. But also, I was so overweight that it was uncomfortable to even breathe sometimes. My doctor told me in June that I was on my way to diabetes and already had pretty high blood pressure.....
So, how long would it be until I wouldn't be able to "stand alone"? I see more and more older people with walkers, and scooters, and oxygen tanks. A little over six months ago, I was on my way to being one of those people...but not anymore!
Within only a few weeks of better diet and exercise, my body felt better. My knees are now pain free! My doctor says I'm no longer pre-diabetic, and my blood pressure is down significantly from 6 months ago. I'm a long way from the weight and fitness level that I want to be, but I'm well on my way. It's funny how, in the past, my motivations for losing weight have always been pictures of models from magazines, or thinking of getting myself into a pair of skinny jeans! And don't get me wrong, getting into those skinny jeans is definitely still up there on my list of goals. But when I think about motivating myself, I think of women like this one. I think of getting older and not being able to do for myself - not being able to stand alone ever again. And given enough time, we will all experience this need for assistance in everyday life. But I'm going to take care of my body so that that day is far, far off in future.
 And I intend to do just that! Today is about getting really focused on means OTHER than my job, to make a the money to get me where I want to be, rather than where I am now.
The first, and most important thing that will sustain me in the long run, is my Beachbody business. I have a goal of helping 50 people get fit this year. I just feel like I'm not reaching enough people. But I also think that I'm just not really trying to. So this morning is all about working on ways to reach out farther than I am to get the response that I want. Instagram, this blog, maybe a website...whatever it is, I need to get on the ball and start doing it ASAP! All these things are totally free! And I can do them from home, so there's no excuse. I should be succeeding in this business.
Another great avenue to making a little extra money is Ebay. Everyone has at LEAST a few things in there house that can fetch a few dollars, right? So this afternoon I'm off to hunt for a few things I can sell online. It's the end of my week, and I promised myself I would have $250 worth of things posted online ($500 is my goal for the month)....as of right now I have a little over $100. So this afternoon is dedicated to Ebay. Do what you can with what you have, right? And in this case, do what you can with what you don't want anymore! Ebay may not be the greatest money making idea for me, personally. Even though there ARE people that actually make a living doing this, I don't think I will. I'll sell some things of mine and then look for things to purchase that I think would fetch a little more online than what I bought them for. It's not something I would consider doing "full time". But if it can be a small part of my income that can sustain itself, why wouldn't I do it for a few hours a week?
Well, off to it, then! I work at my "real job" at 4:00, and there's so much to do before then...I would love to know some things you do when money is just a little too tight...
Yesterday, I talked a little about the uselessness of worrying. It has no place in my life right now (or ever, really)...I just have to put my nose to the grindstone and get through the tough spot I'm in right now. I realized, today, that the worrying that seems to be creeping in may have something to do with the amount of complaining about things I'm doing lately...hence, today's quote.
Now, it's hard being broke. We've all been there at one time or another. You want to get out and do things with your friends, but you can't - you're broke. You want to have a little money in the bank for a "rainy day", but no such luck. You'd love to buy a new pair of shoes to go with the new outfit you just got, but you can't because you don't have money for shoes OR a new outfit! And really, you want to talk about getting away for a few days??
Well, you get my point...it's hard. And when you see your friends moving on with their lives...building businesses, buying homes, moving away...it's even harder, when you're sort of stuck. BUT I'M NOT STUCK! I'm in the middle of a great transformation for myself, and I AM PROUD OF THAT! I've made decisions in my life that have put me in a TOUGH SPOT - not an impossible one. But when the rent is late, and the bills are piling up, and you're not making any money, and you just want to be thin already, and you don't like where you live, you just want to vent a little, RIGHT?? WRONG!! SHUT IT UP! Griping doesn't solve anything, it just casts a gloomy cloud over you and makes that worry creep into your head.
I realized that when I was frustrated at work this weekend, I just wanted to do nothing put pull the covers over my head and hide. But today, I refused to let life get me down, and guess what? It didn't. I went to work with a good attitude, and I left feeling like I was ready to face the rest of my day. So I went home, worked out, fixed a nice dinner, and now I'm getting my blog done.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm never going to complain again, or that I'm going to automatically be the most positive person in the world. That would be a ridiculous assumption. We all have to vent it out sometimes. But since I've been making healthier choices and more positive life decisions, I've been in great spirits most of the time and a pretty happy person. It's just right around the time when the stress of "bill time" rolls around that I get like this. I just have to be more aware of the attitude I'm sending out. Even to just agree with a group of venting co-workers or friend is toxic to your mood. It is a better use of energy - instead of wallowing in frustration - to go for a walk or do something creative to get my mind on something else. And instead of listening to those venting friends, try to turn the situation into a more positive one...either to help solve the problem, or just remove myself from the situation entirely. Anything to keep myself from falling back into old, bad habits.
 Oh boy do I dread getting out there and jogging after I haven't done it in months! I went out the other day, and it was SO COLD! I walked mostly, jogging just a few minutes at a time. But at least I got out there and did it! I'm heading out there again today...much better weather, so I'm excited to get outside and enjoy it for a while.
I got to a point a few years ago where I could actually run a couple miles without stopping...I would get in the "zone" and it felt really good. Then I stopped because it was getting colder and I just wasn't a hardcore runner. WHAT? That's a STUPID EXCUSE! Once summer is over, I get lazy would be the truth behind that excuse. Ever since then, I've started and stopped a few more times with my jogging, but never up to where I was. Well, a friend and I have dedicated ourselves to running some races this year, the first one being in April. So here I am, starting over - AGAIN. That old saying, "If you're tired of starting over, then stop giving up" comes to mind. It's so hard to keep starting OVER AND OVER with this. I can't breathe, my legs are cramped, I can't get into a rhythm...it just sucks. But, one day, all of sudden, jogging 2 minutes at a time turns into 5...the next time it's 10, and HEY! Did I just run a mile?? And then What the Heck? Another mile will be easy! I'm hitting my stride and that's it! I'm hooked! I love to run again......so WHY do I just give it up if it feels so great? No GOOD reason...just lazy (I know I stated this early but to reiterate - SO STUPID!) BUT NO MORE!! This time, I have no intentions on giving up. Running in races has been a goal of mine for too long, and now it is a promise to myself that I will be keeping!
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