Post 228: Pay offs

Sometimes we don't get to choose....well, we can always choose to be happy or sad....we can always choose our attitude.

No, I am talking about those things that were kind of decided for us...my height was decided for me, so was my eye color...pretty much all of my physical attributes were chosen for me - some mixture of the genetic gene pool from my parents and voila - here I am. I know there is a lot science could do to change my physically - get a nose job, dye my hair...I could even add inches (but I here that is pretty painful). So, basically, I am stuck physically.

While I may not be able to change a lot about my physical appearance and while I choose not to change a lot about my physical appearance (really, I like my nose and my hair and my height), there are areas I can influence - my health, my muscles, my lungs, my heart, my brain (intellect), and even some of those trickier areas like compassion and kindness.

The problem with those areas is that they aren't flashy. Woopee - I have a healthy heart. Well, a healthy heart doesn't look any different than an unhealthy heart on the outside. I mean really, when you look at someone do you say to yourself "yep, that one has a bad heart, see I can tell by the slight bulge..." nope...doesn't work that way.

I think it is human nature to want to change and improve, but in a big and flashy way so everyone will ooh and ah over us. I mean, wouldn't you just love to hear, "wow, your heart looks fabulous today - you should keep that up!" Yeah, not gonna happen. Instead we hear "I love your haircut." or "love the outfit you have on (or shoes or purse or whatever). See, we as people focus on the outside and we want our efforts to be noticed.

I might hit the gym for hours on end and have the body of my dreams, but since I dress modestly, I am not going to here, "Wow, you have killer abs." I  am not going to be like the movie stars who wear dresses that have the sheer panels..."no, oops, I went commando so everyone can see how awesome my glutes look."

So, in some ways, I think making the tough but good choices becomes harder. I am not going to get instant results. I am not going to be showing off my killer body (I can dream right?). So where  is the pay off?

Right, right, right. The payoff is that I know. I know I am healthy. I know I have a killer body (see, still having the  dream here). I know why I walk everyday. I know why I strive to eat healthier, go to bed earlier, drink more water, etc... but darn it, sometimes, I want the immediate pay off. Sometimes, I want the comments. And sometimes, I want a work out buddy that will keep me going when I want to slack off.

Don't get me wrong. I love walking with my children. I do. We have a good time and there are so many pros, but...there are times, when I wish I could just work out with an adult who will push me and also give me that feed back I desire.

Ah well, I guess I need to right a best selling novel so I can afford a personal chef and trainer. :)  In the meantime, tomorrow is Monday and I am gearing up to hit it hard.

Happy Walking!