a new voice
This is a compensated post by BlogHer and EA Sports Active.
Now that we’ve reached the second half the 30-day Challenge, it’s easy to squash the piercing sounds of The Old Mona, the voice that would say, “Go easy today. You deserve it.” That’s where it starts. I would think, lighten up today, or go ahead and eat the leftover cake that’s in the office fridge, you are entitled. Since working out with EA Active, I have a new voice running in my head. One that says, “You deserve to be healthy, to have enough energy to keep up with your toddler.”
At a work retreat, we were given the most delectable chocolate cake with whipped cream and raspberry topping. I know it was delicious because I had a bite, but ended at that. I did not eat the whole cake, like the Old Mona would. I didn’t want to negate all the work I had invested, making it easier for the Old Mona to say, “Why workout at all now?” I also wanted to fill the interior of the room with my shouting, “I DID NOT EAT THE WHOLE CAKE!” but I’m sure the facilitator would have included an emergency session on how to control our outbursts.
Not only has keeping to a 30-day routine been great for an inherently lazy person like me; it gives me a deadline every day. Every day I contribute to my goal, every day I get closer to a person I want to be. I have seen how my shirts have started fitting better, the tightness around the arms giving room to the body wearing it. Clothing that welcomes a smaller version of me, however slight the change, is a huge motivation for me to keep going.
I’m not cringing at the workouts selected, even though I definitely favor the punching bag over the tennis. Instead of just skipping over alternating side lunges, I give it my whole grunting, sweaty effort. I can’t believe that at 26 years old, I finally understand what my teachers meant by, “You’re only cheating yourself.” Now I can add to that mantra, that if I do not give every attempt at a solid workout, I am only cheating myself, and I am going to wear maternity jeans another day.
I know the old me is a constant force that looms and hovers over, but the more I work out with EA Active, the easier it is to keep that voice at bay. If I don’t work out, then I will revert to my old ways–barely exerting more energy than what it takes to get my body from the doorstep to the bus stop, or a shorter route, from the couch to the fridge. I don’t want to be the woman that sleeps under her desk. I don’t want to be the woman who can’t get through a conversation without yawning wide like a baboon. Every time that I pick up the Wii remote, I get further and further away from that possibility. I like the woman who is sitting here, typing this, ready to tell you that this works.
In two weeks, when I have reached the end of this 30-Day Challenge, I am going to reward myself with something that isn’t food. No celebratory cake or heavy milkshake, I’m thinking a dress, something that will make all the lunges, squats, and laps worth it.
How do you reward yourself?
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