Inch by Inch: Making Changes

One thing that starting training has done is pushed me to address health issues in a different way. I realized that I had to be more aggressive with my approach. No longer could I just ignore my asthma or knee pain. No longer could I not deal with the fact that I eat poorly. I had to figure out how to approach my health in a more mindful way.

So, I started by making some appointments. I made an appointment with my doctor for the asthma. I made an appointment with my physical therapist to address my knee pain. I also made an appointment with a yoga teacher to improve my balance (both physical and emotional) and to teach me some stretches.

I have been slowly figuring out how to feed myself. I have started by committing to eating breakfast which is actually quite hard for me. I hate to eat in the morning and my medication kills my apatite at that time of day. As with any change in ones habits, there are many steps. I have to figure out what I would be willing to eat; I have to purchase it; I have to prepare it (if necessary), and I have to eat it.

I have learned that to make fundamental changes, I have to do them slowly and deliberately. I have to remember that change is a process and that it probably, won’t all happen at once. I have to be patient and compassionate with myself, because making real change is hard.

There are many changes I need to make in my eating habits, as well as my health maintenance – I need to take my asthma medication consistently, I need to do my knee exercises everyday, I need to do more yoga, I need to eat more when I ride and less at night – but I know that I can’t change everything all at once. I work on making small changes and improvements and realize that progress is happening.

I have also learned that being gentle with myself is more helpful than being a drill sergeant. My inner child doesn’t respond well to condemnation and judgment. So, I am working on being encouraging if I goof up. As my mother used to say, “Tomorrow is another day.”