Dear Fat Nerds,
It's baffling to think that 2 Fat Nerds has been part of our lives and part of our daily web browsing for over two years now. Looking back, it really is incredible to look at all everyone has accomplished. My family has transformed from a beach-sitting, double-stuffed-oreo-loving, generally lazy group, to an energetic bunch of half-marathon runners that have competed alongside world-class triathletes. This blog started as a means to hold Jono and Dollard accountable to their hefty weight loss goals, but over the course of 104 Weigh-in-Wednesdays it has become a community of encouragement to all those who stop by on a regular basis.
I have pretty much sat by idly as my family transformed before my eyes. To be completely honest, I never made my fitness or health goals my priority, despite my sporadic bursts of inspiration and half-hearted week-long commitments.
In a recent conversation, Jon and I were talking about how to be successful (in all endeavours, not just fitness-related). We decided, and this probably sounds kind of obvious, to be successful in something you need three things: a clear goal, motivation and excitement, and the willingness to put the time in to achieve that goal.
Graph modified from http://www.stephencalenderblog.com/?p=371
Evaluating every attempt I've ever given at being more interested in my health, I've seriously lacked keeping up my motivation, as well as "putting in the time" to see any real success. So essentially my running plans and fitness plans have looked like this:
Initial excitement with a goal, that quickly dissipates because not enough time spent working towards it = Intense frustration
My biggest obstacle, and I'm assuming this to be true of many of you, is finding the time. Between working and commuting from my day job, maintaining relationships, chores, and making sure to have some fun at some point in there, there seems to be very little time to devote towards improvement. What the success-stories on this blog have taught us though, is that finding time is completely possible, and prioritizing that work-out is doable when you've built it into your schedule.
It is so easy to identify factors in your life or within yourself that you would like to improve, and it is even easier to stick a band-aid over them and convince yourself that you're fine with the way things are. Unfortunately, The lazy way out is not sustainable, and eventually we all must decide what is important enough to put in the time.
This blog always motivated Jon, and I know it will do the same for me. We should think about changing the name to 1 Fat Nerd, because I don't know if you've seen Jon or Dollard lately, but "Fat" is the last word a stranger would use to describe them (they are still nerds).
So, I'm asking for help. Hold me accountable and keep on reading.
Thanks in advance,
Adrienne
P.S. If this sounds like another "it's time now, for real" promise from me, here's to hoping you're wrong.
Once a nerd, always a nerd.
And I love your postscript. So excited to read more, ADN!!!
Since starting class, I have a new found appreciation for the “too busy” excuse. I guess at the end of the day, no matter the road block I still have to overcome it and get it done. But it is certainly harder.
I’m excited to see you take the reins and see your progress unfold
You go girl. We are cheering you….
One paragraph stood out to me as I read your blog and that was the one about finding the time to exercise. I think a common mistake that we all have made is listing exercise as another chore that needs to be completed, instead of incorporating it as part of your “maintaining relationships” and “making sure to have some fun”. The conversation we had the other day about your going to yoga with a friend, or the times you have gone kayaking with friends, combine two or more of your daily goals into a neat little package. That is the secret to long lasting fitness – taking the “chore” out of exercise. Good luck as you carry the gauntlet. You know you have our full love and support.
I went through 2.5 months of constant starvation type feelings whenever I went below 2000 calories a day. Experts could not explain why it was just so bad. Eventually my body adjusted and now I can diet a little better.
Other people have the same things happen with exercise habits, that it is near impossible until one day it feels almost attainable. So even when things seem impossible there is hope.
Well said!
I always love reading your posts, Adrienne! Your honesty is wonderful, and I can relate to a lot of what you say here and in your next post. I think we all struggle to hold ourselves accountable; it’s just that it’s to varying degrees and with different goals. Whatever your personal goal is, you can do it! (And so can each of us!)
Thanks Jade!