Progress and Results.
Dear Aspen reader,
I’ve often wondered why the journey toward wellness is more like a roller coaster than climbing a mountain. Do you ever feel that way? Some days it seems like I’ve got it all together and am flowing in a natural routine. But then something small happens to interrupt the momentum and the next day it’s like I’ve lost all sense of direction. Can you identify?
The thing I’ve learned about progress is that, even when it seems like nothing is happening, change is often just over the horizon. Just because we can’t see with our eyes that our body is getting more shapely or that our cholesterol is improving - doesn’t mean that it isn’t. With every healthy decision we make, our body responds positively. We are designed in such a way that what you put in directly affects the output. Sometimes '“finding a healthier you” means joining it with a little faith that change is on the way. You see, a little progress each day will eventually add up to big results if we remain persistent.
Let’s think back for a second, on a few stories of old:
In “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” story, this ravenous insect eats his way through any food he can find for an entire week straight. While i’m not telling you to eat everything in sight (inevitably he gets a tummy ache), I do want to encourage you through those days when you feel you have hit a slow patch, or when you have made positive choices regarding your food & fitness and the results aren’t always evident right away. Even though you feel you can’t see it, change is happening. Just as the caterpillar spent time in the cocoon, his body was transforming for the better. Don’t forget that your body will have days when it is telling you to rest and take a break from your workout routine. You may need to do that, its ok. After that rest, getting back on a routine is just what you will need. If you do this, I promise one day, you’ll emerge just as he did and say, “Wow, look at the change in me!”
In a series of unfortunate events, a train carrying toys for girls and boys breaks down on a track and is unable to deliver them to the children living on the other side of the mountain. He asks for help from the other trains that are passing by. Eventually he gets the assistance needed from a little, blue engine, later named as “The Little Engine that Could”. This small engine doesn’t fit the profile for a train that is needed to pull the broken down engine over the hump. But he believes that he has what it takes to accomplish the task. With continued self-talk “I think I can…I think I can”, he travels up and down the mountain. Proud of his efforts and achievements, he finishes this story with the words, “I thought I could.” The progress seemed slow and difficult, but with continued encouragement and determination, he was able to make it to the other side with great joy. What would life be like if we set our minds to it, made a plan for it and worked towards it with the unwavering knowledge that “we can”!
Day after day - putting one foot in front of the other - that's how the work gets completed. Big results are on the way if you'll stay consistent with your food, fitness and self-care routines!
In health,
Alecia