I’ve blogged a great deal recently about how my journey is more about becoming an athlete and less about the number on the scale. During the short-lived lifespan of Sports Illustrated Women, the magazine published a fabulous piece on the different sizes and shapes of athletes. As I think about what an athlete means to me, I’m often drawn to the images the magazine presented. Here are some of their examples:
When I’ve mentioned my desire to become “an athlete” to people around me, I am frequently greeted with laughter. After the initial shock, I ask why. Much to my surprise I hear, “Well in my book, you’re already an athlete. You run marathons and all those other crazy races. That’s more of an athlete than me!”
Their comments and the photos from Sports Illustrated Women certainly gave me pause to review my definition of an athlete. One component in my definition must include being able to run a marathon in a respectable time – sub 5 hours for me. I also know that that definition to others could be either a) not enough or b) too much.
Why all this babble about being an athlete? What does it have to do with my weight loss? This is how I remind myself that it’s not about the number on the scale. It’s about being healthy. It’s about reaching that goal for my life, not a number on the scale. However, I’m painfully aware that part of becoming an athlete (for me) is getting the extra weight off my body so I have less to lug around. Less lugging = faster Jo Jo.
To remind myself of the balance between my athletic and weight loss goals, I have a personal motivation tool. I use this tool to keep me focused from day to day - a charm bracelet. A simple chain that I add charm-sized letters to as my weight goes down. The balance is about the letters and together what they spell. I’ve already given myself the letters “A” and “T.” Hopefully on my Wednesday weigh-in, I’ll be able to announce the letter “H”. That’s right – I’m giving myself a letter for every 10lbs I lose. And for those of you that are mathematical genii, you’ll see that I will be a true A-T-H-L-E-T-E when I hit 130lbs!
As staying focused on my goals is particularly hard around 3pm in the afternoon, I keep the next letter in my chain taped to my computer screen. See?
The letters on my wrist often bounce on my hand gently reminding me of my path to health.
So what’s an athlete to you? Do you have any unique or personal tools to motivate you or keep you focused? Post your answer in the comments below. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Next time on Getting to the Finish Line: If the shoe fits, wear it!
What a great motivational tool - I love it! With your attitude I have no doubt that you'll be a 130-something pound athlete before too long.
Posted by: Susan | May 29, 2009 at 12:10 PM