Recently, I have been trying to become healthier, AGAIN. Tee and I currently make a monthly donation to a local gym that is open 24 hours per day although I rarely visit (heavy sigh). Yes folks, out here near the west coast, gyms, rather fitness centers, are open 24 hours per day so there really isn’t an excuse…yet, I seem to find one.  Hmmmm….

In my mind, I see myself with this lean and strong body but in reality…ahhh..not so much.

In my mind, I can wear skinny clothes and no longer have to wear items with “x” in them…1x 2x, etc.,

In my mind, I do not need to take 2 Advil and 2  Aleeve before my 2.5 year old niece comes over to play.

In my mind, I can sit comfortably in those tiny airplane seats without feeling like a stuffed can of vienna sausages.

In my mind, I can exercise without clutching my heart and thinking I am going to have a heart attack.

In my mind, I can give away all my fat clothes and enjoy clothes shopping again.

In my mind, I do not need advil to wash dishes, vacuum the floor and other household chores that pull on my lower back.

In my mind, my body does not sound like a bowl of Rice Crispy treats – Snap, Crackle and Pop.

In my mind, I can fit into those skinny biker outfits and look good.

In my mind, I am healthy but then I pass a mirror and reality sets in.

So, in the past two days I have begun my quest to eat healthier and exercise.  For lunch the other day, I ate a huge salad and soup at Sweet Tomato.  Anyone who knows me understands that I eat vegetables only a few times per month so I am trying to do better.

Is your helmet ok?

Now, here is the funny story.  Yesterday, I decided to ride a bike through the neighborhood since it is beautiful this time of the year with colorful sunsets.  What was I thinking?  First, I needed to put air in both tires. What little muscles I have in my biceps start to ache and feel like they’re cramping.  It was pitiful but I was determined to do this before the sun set.  I grabbed my helmet and garage door opener and out the door I went.

I  rode past my sister’s house where my brother-in-law was watering the lawn.  He quickly asked me….Is something wrong with your helmet?  I think you have it on backwards!  I had not ridden in so long that I had the helmet on backwards…geez!!! That’s ok, I was determined to ride.

Return Trip

Off I went peddling down throughout the neighborhood, enjoying the cool breeze and local scenary.  Then, my body realized that it had not been exercised for quite some time and started to revolt.  I had cranked up the gears on the 10-speed a bit just to ensure my muscles would get a workout but my muscles would not do what my mind was instructing them to do.  Like a 2 year old at the most inopportune time, my legs started hurting as I peddled and my mind said…remember, you have to peddle back the same distance that you are going.  Needless to say, I turned around after not going very far but, in my mind, I peddled like Lance Armstrong and although I am a long ways from that goal, I did not give up and that’s reality.

So, let me go take my advil, put my helmet on C-O-R-R-E-C-T-L-Y and start cycling so I can become the person in my mind.