July 7, 2006 at 12:05 PM
I think I've been tricked into enjoying health and fitness just like Netflix tricked me into joining their DVD addicts anonymous club. Netflix is a mail based DVD rental service that gives you your first month free as a trial offer. When I signed up I thought "I'll just rent a couple DVDs and then cancel. Yay, free stuff! I'm so sneaky." However, my life as a diabolical mad genius was over before it began because it's now four years later and I've rented over a hundred movies and there are about 300 more in my queue. I think the rate at which I add movies outpaces the rate at which I watch them. Which means that I will never, ever, be able to quit Netflix, at least not without quitting my job or installing a TV screen on my car's dashboard.
Same thing with all this healthy eating and actually getting off the couch for reasons other than to find the remote control (see, Netflix addiction). At first my mentality was "Well, I have to start walking and eating differently to lose weight. So I'll do it until I get what I want, but you can't make me like it!" But after over a year of trying new foods and walking and running I find I have been tricked again. I actually like being fit. I get a kick out of the fact that I can park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store without panting like a Labrador. I sometimes smirk because I can walk up to my fourth floor office every day without stopping.
I eat baby carrots and I like it.
Just like life is better when I get DVDs in little red envelopes in my mailbox, life is better when I eat well and move my ass. I thought I could just dip my toe into the water, but I have been sucked into the whirlpool instead. Which should probably serve as a warning to never try a free trial of something weird, like a bug-eating club. You might find yourself swatting flies, dipping them in Dijon mustard sauce and enjoying it.
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Michelle • July 7, 2006 12:27 PM
I so hope I find myself in that same healthy whirlpool someday. Congrats on your success..it's really wonderful!!
~M
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Cari • July 7, 2006 1:34 PM
I just love reading your website!
You are very inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
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Snackie • July 7, 2006 5:02 PM
That is why I LOVE owning the elliptical...at least my television and movie addicted ass can move while watching ;).
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Mark • July 7, 2006 10:07 PM
The TV on the car dashboard is a reality in Japan, because all the cars have GPS navigation, and most Japanese navi's have a TV tuner built in so you can get TV on the LCD screen.
It's scary when the drivers are watching TV (while also using their cell phones). Thank god it's illegal in most of the U.S.
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Lisa • July 8, 2006 2:46 PM
Woo hoo! I made it through your archives! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries. Thank you so much for the inspiration and honesty! You're a great writer!
I totally know what you mean about actually liking being fit. I'm headed out for a run in a few minutes and I know it's going to kick my butt, but I know that the satisfaction of getting it done is going to outweight the tired, sweaty aftermath whereupon I flop in a chair and chug water and try to get my face back to its normal color.
The other thing I've noticed is that I really hate the feeling I have if I overeat now. I don't LIKE to go to bed feeling full anymore. In fact, I don't sleep well at all if I do. Even eating too much at a time during the day weighs me down and I feel like a total slug the rest of the day.
All these changes we go through on this journey to shed the fat! Thanks for chronicalling them! It helps the rest of us remember that we're not alone!
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