I Did My Impossible

Eating vegetarian and no processed foods.

Running 4 1/2 miles just for the fun of it.

Dropping 10 lbs in 3 weeks, the healthy way.

Those were all things that, for whatever reason or excuse, I had told myself were impossible for me. And yet, here I am, coming to the end of three weeks on this new journey and every one of them I can say I’ve done now!

With that, there have been several obstacles. Let’s start with the eating vegetarian & no processed foods:

1. I work at a coffee shop where pastries (the best in town) are a specialty.
2. I went out with friends to a sports bar and ate a salad and drank water.
3. I resisted the purchase of more Girl Scout Cookies
4. When “giving in” was an option on my birthday to celebrate & have Runza, I said no.
5. I have chosen tea and water every time I’ve wanted to have a mocha.

Some of the obstacles I’ve overcome with running:

1. I’m black. We only run when we’re being chased by a large carnivorous animal.
2. I started out not even being able to run uphill two blocks without stopping to reconsider.
3. I’m a very self-conscious runner. I hate running and thinking that when people see me on the street, they are thinking “Oh, bless her heart...”
4. Did I mention I’m black?
5. Excuses always won: I’m too tired, too busy, I don’t feel like it today, maybe tomorrow...

And finally, my obstacles the came with losing weight:

1. Re-read the above and realize that I used to indulge myself in whatever I wanted, whenever. I hated to tell myself no.
2. More excuses.
3. More excuses plus rationalization.
4. Snickers bars are a necessity when I’m feeling hormonal.
5. I don’t have time make healthy meals

OK, so those are just SOME of the things that have gone through my head for years as to why I haven’t remained committed to any of it. The first 5 days were undoubtedly my hardest, the rest have only trickled with frustration and struggle. Almost three weeks into it now, it feels like a habit. And today, for the first time that I can ever remember, I got that all-elusive “runner’s high” that I have been trying to experience (apparently you have to run for more than 7 minutes to get it)... hehe! Just kidding. 

I made the decision on my route, where I could have turned for home, to keep going further. The app on my phone indicated I had reached 4 miles and I could hardly help myself from smiling. I know that’s not super far and that most actual runners have that as a warm-up, but for me, it was huge. Remember when I told you I couldn’t even run uphill for two blocks??? Even better, I am not feeling any amount of soreness like I typically do! This makes me a very happy person. And I’m to that weird point that you white people get to when you actually enjoy running and look forward to it, even crave it. Who knew? Today, my friends, I call myself a runner.