I’ve got a personal pet-peeve and it’s called ‘skinny-fat’. It also ties right into my other pet-peeve: New Year and you can’t escape the onslaught of diet talk, weight-losser’s [not a spelling error, I’m going to start the momentum on this term], and body aesthetically obsessed.
I don’t harbor ill feelings towards all resolutionsists, I swear I’m not a mean person, but overload me with anything and it can get rundantly annoying. Exceptions include running and chocolate. I think my issue comes back to the REASON, MOTIVE, and EXECUTION of said resolution.
Are you motivated? Like, THAT motivated?? 😉
* Reason: I view running and fitness as something kinda special…sacred even. The people who don’t respect ALL that it bestows upon one’s life, I get annoyed. If all they can see is the aesthetic part, it irks me. If they can’t see how endorphins and running will make you happier, more goal-driven, self-motivated, productive, and more proud of what you body can DO, then it’s kinda like they are spitting on the track. Respect the track, mmmk. Certainly running WILL have the trickle-down effect of that hotter bod, don’t get me wrong that’s a major perk…but it’s a perk…not the ultimate prize.
* Motive: Setting a goal to ‘lose weight’ or ‘get fit’ is redunkulatly over-played, don’t be a lemming, set a real goal. 😉 So ambiguous, and these resolutionists tend to get my mental eye-roll. Be motivated to up the ante, define an awesome goal and THOSE are the resolutions I respect. “I’ll break XXX for the 5k” , “I’ll run 30 minutes every day for 30 days” , “I’ll do speed-work twice a week“. Bam…those are resolutions, People, they also can be made any time during the year.
Don’t Stop. PS-I FINALLY got an iphone so mayyybe you’ll see more actual photos around here??
* Execution: Accountability, I guess that goes without saying. Gyms are packed, you’ll see lots of new faces out running on the roads these first few weeks. Those numbers start to dwindle…it’s the thinning of the herd. If you’re going to set a resolution, respect the amount of effort and work it will take, that goes with any goal. Hard work is a requirement, or else your goal isn’t high enough. With execution, there’s nothing more to say than you only earn respect and being taken seriously over time and with your actions. Those quietly working away for their goals, day in and day out, probably aren’t broadcasting it to the world…they’ll let their actions speak volumes when they show up to race day and BAM, shock the world with their new PR.
What does all of this have to do with the weight-lossers and the jiggly ‘skinny-fat’ nuisance? I use skinny-fat as a barometer to gauge HOW people are trying to get to a healthier place. The number on the scale isn’t a hard-fast indicator, you see a skinny person who jiggles when they twerk and I’ll bet they aren’t putting in the effort exercise-wise and just limit their calories. They’re missing out on the BEST part of the puzzle.
Running and exercise. It gets you toned, it gets you healthier place mentally AND physically, it teaches you that your body is more than an aesthetic. Your body can be a performance vehicle if you’re driven. Be self-motivated to find out how AMAZING your vehicle can be and you’ll learn that looking hotter thanks to all that running is a perk.
Merely a perk.
——–
Motivation lulls happen to EVERYONE, even the most running obsessed, don’t feel bad if you hit one…HERE are posts to spark some motivation on those days.
Goal setting…HERE are posts all about those awesome goals and dreaming big!
Speaking of legs…if you have them put them to use!! 😉
——–
1) Did you set any resolutions this year? What were your reasons and motives behind those goals?
2) How do you stay accountable to your goals? What are some motivation tips you use?
3) Favorite perk that running gives you…aka, what hot body part are you most proud of? What is one performance vehicle achievement running has given you that you’re super proud of?
I completely agree. In fact, I wonder if anyone noticed I didn’t mention resolutions at all on my blog! I don’t wait for Monday, January 1 or anything – just do it. Just get out there and do it whatever “it” is for you. Don’t wait, don’t hold off, don’t label food good and bad, don’t eliminate things and set crazy unrealistic goals – I will understand or relate to this mindset.
TOTALLY my same line of thinking! 🙂
I did not make any resolutions this year- like you said, goals can be set anytime of the year, not just on January 1! One thing that usually helps me stay accountable is telling people around me what my goals are- times I want to hit, miles per week, etc.
very true about sharing your goals, it ups the ante and i think it’s really helpful for runners. 🙂
not much into resolutions myself either. however, i did make a vow this year to read more and spend a bit more time exercising my mind and less my body. strange, yes. but i think a sound mind will carry me through a bit more in life than fitting into skinny jeans 😉
and tweaking…this may be my age speaking, but why is this so popular? i don’t really get it…
great vow to flex that mental muscle of yours! 😉 hahaha…i seriously don’t understand why the media storm picked up on the twerking thing, i’ve seen plenty of other moves and such. let’s just blame it on E! or something, they pick the trends and we’re just powerless to get sucked in. jk
PS- something tells me u will be rocking a brainiac mind AND skinny jeans 😉
ha! is there an age limit on skinny jeans???
I love this post- these are pet peeves of mine also! When I went back to work after the holidays it drove me crazy to overhear some of the conversations taking place between coworkers about losing weight. My one fitness goal this year is to break 3:50 in the marathon (which is 15 minutes off my PR) and I’m trying to stay accountable by sticking to a specific training plan and training at the prescribed paces. I have also announced this goal on my blog, so I don’t want to have to come back after race day and admit defeat!
THAT is a goal!! get after it and with a solid marathon training plan i know you can do it. 🙂 i’m glad u share my pet peeves and it drives me up the wall hearing some of the same stuff you mention. i just roll my eyes. 😛
Cait, this is one of the reasons I love you!!! My post for tomorrow is about something sort-of similar (body image is involved).
No – I don’t do resolutions.
But, you know I love running!!!
YES!! hehe…thanks and loving u right back, Kim! 🙂 can’t wait to read your post!
Great post and great outlook!
thanks! 🙂
Well said. I do like that people are trying to better themselves and are trying to use Jan. 1st as their start. But too many people start off too fast (that’s what she said) and burn themselves out quickly and feel like they failed or just find it too hard.
Great post Cait. 🙂
so true on the burnout thing…much better to take that gradual progress forward because in the end that’ll get you to a higher top!
Pingback: Youth Running: Not a question of age but rather, the relationship |
I don’t usually set resolutions, mainly because I have a hard time remembering what the heck I did all year in the previous year 🙂 The blog helped with that this past year, though. My favorite of your three main points up there is Motive. If you’re going to make a resolution or set a goal any time of the year, it needs to be specific. Remember “SMART” goals from school? Specific, measurable, attainable, I forget what R stands for, and time (as in you have a deadline on your goal). I also think that if you make some huge change in your life, it’s not going to last unless you’re at the Biggest Loser Ranch or something. You can make a big overall goal, but you have to make small changes one or two at a time, or it’ll be too much to stick to.
P.S. Congrats on the iPhone 🙂
GREAT advice on those goals…and thank you for the phone congrats!!! it’s about flipping time for me! 😛 #solastcenturyrunnerchick
Pingback: A Special Running Valentine |