Down . . . and Up

So, I have been feeling particularly low about my "healthy living" habits today.  I woke up this morning, and I didn't want to exercise at all.  I did want to have a large bowl of ice cream with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for breakfast.  After debating it out in my head a while, I did neither.  Instead, I spent the day sinking into a sort of funk that I couldn't shake.  Disappointed in myself for not even finishing two weeks on my new challenge and having to create an exception to my own rules, I have felt like a complete failure.  All day I have been thinking what all of you must be thinking:  "I knew he couldn't do it."

As I have been ruminating on this all day, I have just fallen deeper and deeper into a depression.  Reminding myself I can't complete anything I start.  Telling myself that, once again, there is no point in trying.  And, of course, pounding into my head that change is simply not possible for someone like me.  Trust me, it has been a pretty bad day.

Anyway, I finally mustered up the courage to exercise this evening--something I did NOT want to do.  About 10 minutes from finishing up, as I was writhing on the ground in pain from some "ab" exercises I was doing, my daughter Mia came in and said, "How long are you going to be?"  Now, I have been trying really hard to be a patient father.  But when you feel like someone has thrown a spear through your gut and then poured lemon juice over the wound, kindness is not something you think about.  After mustering up all the strength I had left (which wasn't much), I managed a smile and said, "About five minutes."  Mia then asked, "Why don't you just quit?  I mean, if it hurts that bad [at this point I was probably moaning in pain], why don't you just stop?"  I decided this question was rhetorical, so I did not answer it. 

Ten minutes later, as I dragged myself past her on my way to the shower, she looked at me and said, "Great job Dad, you did it!"  And just like that, I was back on top of things.  I guess it was then that I realized something that I seem to keep learning and then keep forgetting:  Nothing that is good in life comes without pain and difficulty.  Whatever it is you want, you have to be willing to sacrifice to get it.  Interestingly, sacrificing more doesn't necessarily get you more (i.e., sacrificing honey doesn't necessarily make you healthier), but sacrificing the right things will bring results (i.e., no ice cream and no cookies can help you get healthier).

So now, if I can just remember this lesson so I don't have to learn it again . . . .