Life Goes On

January 21st, 2010 | Posted by Alison Spath in Motivation

If I could sum up in one word what I’ve learned over the course of the last couple of weeks here, that word would be:

Balance.

Now of course this concept of “balance” is not a foreign to me or to you or to anyone who is at least somewhat committed to living a healthier life. Balance is something I like to believe I’ve always aimed for, but it’s a lot harder to find that sweet spot when you’ve got a ton of stuff heaped on the scale. And if you don’t stop piling stuff on? The scale is going to eventually buckle and come crashing down. The next thing you know you’re wiping tears from your eyes and resisting the urge to throw yourself into a heap on the floor while singing the lyrics to Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da wondering if the Beatles wrote that song knowing that one day a 5 year old girl in upstate New York would drive her mother crazy by requesting that song be put on repeat every time she gets in the car from May through December.

What’s one of the things that’s kept me sane during these scale crashy times? Running! If you know me or have read this blog for a while this probably comes as no surprise. But it’s true. Without my nice healthy endorphin rush from exercise I would be left trying to figure out a way to get my hands on some powerful mood altering drugs. Instead of adding “buy drugs” to my to-do list and figuring this new expense in to our budget, I’ll just go for a run instead. It’s just the easiest option really, not to mention the option that is least likely to get me into any sort of serious trouble, with the law or otherwise.

I ran this morning in fact, with my neighborhood running group in the cold, dark but at least dry streets. I’m still running regularly but not working out nearly as much as I have over the course of the last year. I’ve come to discover that I don’t need to work out 5 or 6 days a week to maintain my weight and my desired level of fitness. 3 or 4 days a week is perfect, and has come with a load of unexpected benefits. I have more time, I’m not as hungry, and I feel like I’m letting my body have a little break from the rigors of training. It’s felt great to run for maintenance and mental well being instead of focusing how to run faster, longer and stronger.

On the food front, huge salads have been my saving grace, both in a sense of ease and the wonder that is chlorophyll. I can’t say I haven’t taken advantage of the mood altering effects afforded to me by dark chocolate either though. Thank you 70% Green & Black for doing your part in keeping me from flinging myself off a bridge.

Did I ever tell you that melodramatic is my middle name?

In summary, that’s where I’ve been.  I think I might even turn my camera on today or tomorrow. For now, know that  I’m here – running, eating salads and chocolate and taking advantage of the power of loud music too. Chris Brown, I don’t care what you did – turning this one up always makes me feel better.


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