Fat Frame of Mind

I had to get some blood work run so this morning before work I was off to the hospital.    I pulled into the parking lot closest to the lab and circled and circled and circled…. No spots.  I went into the next parking lot and sure enough there were some way in the back.  I sat there, stressed out that I’d have to walk so far and suddenly I had a head smacking moment.  I CAN walk that distance now.  It’s not going to make me hot and sweaty before my appointment, it’s not going to have me wheezing and hurting, and in fact…. It wasn't very far to walk. 

I started for the main entrance and realized I’d have to climb two flights of stairs.  Right away I started looking for the handicap ramp or a way AROUND the stairs before I had another head smacking moment.  It was only two flights… it’s NOT that far and it wouldn't make hot and sweat before my appointment, it wouldn't have me wheezing and hurting (well, it might if my knee was acting up), and in fact…. It wasn't very far to climb.  Finally made it INTO the hospital and I’m standing by the elevator to go one floor down and you guessed it, head smacking moment x3.  It was only one floor down… just walk it!

So, now I’m wondering just how long it’s going to take me to get out of this mindset that I've been setting for 20 years.    I have firmly developed the mindset that I CAN’T do it unless it’s easy and that if it makes me uncomfortable I should avoid it.  It’s time to change that mindset.  The physical is no longer impossible and if I *WANT* to walk 2 miles at a decent clip, I can do that.  If I *WANT* to climb 5 flights of stairs, I can do that (again, still at the mercy of my temperamental knee).

Just remember that there had to be a first step in that 2 mile walk and a first stair that was climbed.   You’re never going to achieve your goals sitting on the couch and shoving junk into your mouth.    You have to take those first uncomfortable steps and climbs to get started and there are plenty of days when those steps and climbs are STILL uncomfortable but that discomfort has to be pushed through.  Trust me, it gets a little easier each week.