So, here’s what I know about kicking off a wellness journey: it’s pretty darn intimidating. I remember when I realized I wanted to make some changes that I was overwhlemed by The To Do List of a Healthy Life. I knew I needed to stop eating certain foods, find healthier alternatives, move my body, drink more water, take vitamins, stretch, and probably a hundred other little things I had no idea about at the time. The list seemed to grow into an insurmountable mountain of To Do’s that I could not fathom how to climb. I was immobilized at the bottom, looking up.
I used that feeling of overwhelm as an excuse to procrastinate and rationalize why I was not getting serious about this health thing just yet. I needed to get past an upcoming party or vacation before I could “start,” or I needed to sign up for a new health class, or buy new running shoes. There was always one reason or another to put off today what I could begin tomorrow…and then put it off again tomorrow!
Eventually, I became so frustrated with myself and the feeling of being stuck that I had no choice but to just start. And starting made all the difference. When I took that first small baby step toward progress, things began to change. For me, that baby step was asking for help and joining a group. I realized that as an over-achieving extrovert, I needed people to help me out and sherpa me through whatever winding paths to wellness lay ahead. So, I signed up. That act inspired another baby step (I began weekly meal planning) and then another (food tracking!) and soon before I knew it, I had wobbled my way from the sofa to the coffee table and back and I was on my way to feeling more confident and self-assured about my wellness progress. Of course, I have times where I lose my footing and stumble, but I’ve figured out that if I am going to do this thing, I simply have to practice getting back up and taking another tentative step. Believe me, I get lots of opportunities to practice!
It can be overwhelming to take action towards your goals, convincing yourself it isn’t the right place, or the right time, or that you don’t have the right resources to be successful in your endeavor. But I promise, the key is simply to start. Overwhelming? I’d encourage you to reflect on the Arthur Ashe quote:
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
As you probably know, Arthur Ashe was a world-renown, U.S. tennis player during the 60’s and 70’s, but did you know he began as impoverished kid with a second-hand racket? His only access to the game was because his father served as the maintenance supervisor of his hometown’s segregated park. Ashe did not have much, but he started, returning balls off the practice wall for hours at a time. He used what he had. He did what he could. When a a local college player saw him practicing relentlessly in the park one day, the player offered to give him lessons, then coached Ashe to an ATA National Chapmionship at 12 years old. From there, Ashe was able to get connected to a coach who mentored him and helped him grow his talent for the rest of his career. All of this took years of practice and people helping and guiding him along the way. And of course, Ashe had to do the practice and work himself. But the rewards? A career with 818 wins and 51 titles. Pretty spectacular.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
So choose to start. Then, I challenge you to ask yourself “What tools do I have?” Are there people in your life that can help you? Do you have financial freedom that allows you to do something like hire a health coach? If not, do you have a friend who would agree to be an accountability partner to you? Do you have a library card so you can check out new cookbooks or books about healthy eating?
Then, do what you can. Again, start where you are and start simple! Perhaps this week you can focus on drinking 60 ounces of water a day, or going to bed thirty minutes earlier. Maybe it’s to make three homemade dinners. Just figure out what the commitment is going to be. Be gentle. Remember, you don’t have to make a giant leap for mankind, just take a small step for yourself toward the healthy life you want to have.
