It is a moment of deja'-vu when I hear myself vocalizing the same dreaded lines to my kids that my parents stated to me, "You're going to do this whether you like it or not." No matter the vow to never repeat the pedantic phrases, I now recognize the value in the forced labor, particularly when applied to personal responsibility and work ethic, or in this case, work-out ethic.
There are times in life when personal self-care takes precedence. Exercise particularly can become a terrific habit creating a framework for each day. Then there are times when exercise habits slip and daily demands, children, work, relationships, or perhaps an overall lack of motivation influence your once sound practice. It is at those times we become grateful for friends who value exercise and drag us along with them.
Sometimes in life I am the one who leads and other times I follow. About five years ago I set a personal goal to complete a half-marathon..partly to practice what I was preaching to my clients; set goals other than weight loss. As I ran in Green Bay my husband took note of the 5000+ participants and decided it would be his goal to accomplish the same feat the following year. At that point his best friend Kraig and Kraig's wife Jo decided to join the challenge. There has been a trickle-down effect through the years and this past year Kraig challenged my husband to complete a marathon with him in northern Wisconsin. In the meantime other close friends have become dedicated to triathlon training, biathlons, and swimming and their passion and commitment motivates me.
Today, had my generous friend not invited me to run with her, I probably would have spent a ho-hum morning sipping coffee, doing laundry, and nagging the kids until time for church. But, Kara issued the 6a.m. invitation and I begrudgingly accepted. She mapped out a great 8 mile run through farm land, hills, and woods and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and conversation. Kara has become a machine over the past couple of years with her fitness regimen. She has superb endurance, motivation, and patience to set a pace that compliments her running partners rather than what would necessarily suit her alone. I am thankful for friends like her who push me at times that I need that extra nudge or slow-down to let me catch my breath. They know if I am neglecting my personal exercise it likely symbolizes or reflects a deeper problem.
We all have values. What happens when you neglect those values? Do you have friends that are kind enough to draw your focus back to your foundation? Perhaps it is exercise, maybe it is nutrition, maybe a spiritual need. You might value relationships and socialization but find you are withdrawing and isolating yourself. Having friends kind enough to care about your values and recognize when they are slipping is vital. I hope I take the time to strengthen friendships to the degree that I can help others the way they have helped me. Like my parents, my friends are great to hold me accountable to what is important, to run with me even if I am kicking and screaming.
There are times in life when personal self-care takes precedence. Exercise particularly can become a terrific habit creating a framework for each day. Then there are times when exercise habits slip and daily demands, children, work, relationships, or perhaps an overall lack of motivation influence your once sound practice. It is at those times we become grateful for friends who value exercise and drag us along with them.
Sometimes in life I am the one who leads and other times I follow. About five years ago I set a personal goal to complete a half-marathon..partly to practice what I was preaching to my clients; set goals other than weight loss. As I ran in Green Bay my husband took note of the 5000+ participants and decided it would be his goal to accomplish the same feat the following year. At that point his best friend Kraig and Kraig's wife Jo decided to join the challenge. There has been a trickle-down effect through the years and this past year Kraig challenged my husband to complete a marathon with him in northern Wisconsin. In the meantime other close friends have become dedicated to triathlon training, biathlons, and swimming and their passion and commitment motivates me.
Today, had my generous friend not invited me to run with her, I probably would have spent a ho-hum morning sipping coffee, doing laundry, and nagging the kids until time for church. But, Kara issued the 6a.m. invitation and I begrudgingly accepted. She mapped out a great 8 mile run through farm land, hills, and woods and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and conversation. Kara has become a machine over the past couple of years with her fitness regimen. She has superb endurance, motivation, and patience to set a pace that compliments her running partners rather than what would necessarily suit her alone. I am thankful for friends like her who push me at times that I need that extra nudge or slow-down to let me catch my breath. They know if I am neglecting my personal exercise it likely symbolizes or reflects a deeper problem.
We all have values. What happens when you neglect those values? Do you have friends that are kind enough to draw your focus back to your foundation? Perhaps it is exercise, maybe it is nutrition, maybe a spiritual need. You might value relationships and socialization but find you are withdrawing and isolating yourself. Having friends kind enough to care about your values and recognize when they are slipping is vital. I hope I take the time to strengthen friendships to the degree that I can help others the way they have helped me. Like my parents, my friends are great to hold me accountable to what is important, to run with me even if I am kicking and screaming.
Kraig and Ron plus their support team completing their first marathon May 2009 in Eagle River, WI.
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