Things I wish I could say

 
On days where the weather is tolerable, I head out to the Silver Comet trail for my run. I should say that I started running on a treadmill and it was fine, in the same way that Velveeta is fine; once I started running outside on the trail, it was like my first taste of quality sharp cheddar and running on the treadmill has pretty much ceased to be an option. (Yes, I'm using a food analogy to describe exercise - you have a problem with that?)

I love the trail. It's long - stretching from here in Atlanta to Alabama - and runs through residential areas, covered with old trees. It's shady and well-populated in the times I choose to go (see, Mom and Dad, I'm totally safe!) with cyclists, moms pushing jogging strollers, little kids on bikes, and lots of walkers and runners. It's a really fun place to people-watch, too, which is one of my all-time favorite things to do.

Today I passed a woman who was huffing and puffing and giving it all she had. She had headphones in and was jamming out to . . . well, whether it was actually "music" or not I'm not sure, but she was enjoying herself as she marched down the trail and hummed along to her iPod. Our eyes met and we did the whole head up-nod acknowledgment that I've now perfected as a runner on the trail (sometimes I smile, but more often than not I don't have the extra energy - everything in me is focused on not tripping). As we passed each other, I wished I could say something encouraging, something positive, because I honestly loved how hard she was working and how much she was into it. But I didn't say anything - I was afraid I would look like a patronizing jerk. She doesn't know my journey.

I have wished many times that I could tell the people on the trail or at the gym - not the "fit" people, but the people who are struggling, who are self-conscious, who are walking or running or exercising for the first time since 9th grade gym class - I wish that I could tell them so many things. So, because this is my blog and I can do what I want, I'm going to write them here, and at least put them out into the universe.

I wish I could tell you  . . . 

- That there will always be someone faster, stronger, thinner, or more fit. That doesn't make you less than they are. This is not a zero-sum game.
- You are your own competition. You're the only one you're trying to beat.
- It doesn't matter what you look like when you're exercising. If people have time to look at you and judge you then that means they're not working hard enough.
- Some days you will set a new distance, time, or pace record. Some days it will be a struggle to tie your laces and actually leave your house. Both days are worth celebrating. 
- We're not in high school anymore, and isn't that good news? (This may not have anything to do with fitness, exactly, but I like to remember this fact as often as possible.)
- Make it a habit. Give it time. Be patient with yourself.
- You are stronger than you think you are. 
- The first 5 minutes are the hardest, I promise. Just get through those and it'll get easier.
- Exercise is the best stress-reducer ever invented in the history of the universe. For real.
- Living a healthy lifestyle (after long-term "unhealthiness") may never be easy, but it does get easier.
- Exercising is only part of the equation. Chick-fil-A is not, sadly, a good post-workout recovery meal. I wish.
- You are someone's brother, sister, mother, father, best friend, daughter, son . . . you are loved by people who want to keep you around for a long time.
- Decide how long you're going to go. If you want to stop halfway because it's too hard, ask yourself, "What hurts?" If the answer is "nothing," keep going. You're not finished yet.
- If something hurts, STOP. No extra points for martyrdom.

Finally, random people trying to get fit on the trail, I wish I could tell you that I have been where you are. Being healthy is not an unachievable dream. So when you see me up-nodding and smiling at you, what I'm really saying is, "Keep going. Don't stop. It's not always fun and some days it downright sucks, but it is always, always worth it."